Ingredients: for the Papas Bravas

  • 5-6 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut in 1/2-inch pieces
  • High oleic extra virgin olive oil (we like anything from Melgarejo for this!) for frying
  • Sea salt to taste

Ingredients: For the Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh, mild, extra virgin olive oil (Sevillano or a mild Arbequina both work!)
  • 1 small roasted red pepper, peeled, seeded, and diced
  • 2 large egg yolks at room temperature**
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions: For the Papas Bravas

  1. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil in a medium pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Boil for 4 minutes until just barely tender, and then drain in a colander.
  3. Heat a heavy frying pan over high heat (cast iron is excellent).
  4. Once very hot, add enough olive oil to come 1/2″ up the sides of the pan and heat the oil to 350 F.
  5. Add the thoroughly drained potatoes to the pan and fry for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through to brown both sides.
  6. Drain and salt immediately.
  7. Serve with or slathered in aioli.

Directions: for the Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

  1. In the bowl of a food processor or blender jar, add the egg yolks, salt, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper.
  2. Process until homogeneous.
  3. VERY SLOWLY, drop by drop, while the machine is running, drizzle in the olive oil.
  4. Extreme patience must be taken with this slow process initially, as too much olive oil poured in at once will cause the sauce to break.
  5. After half of the oil has been successfully emulsified, the rest of the oil can be added in slightly faster – but use caution here as too much at once will spell disaster!
  6. Once the olive oil is completely poured in and emulsified, remove the aioli to a sealed container and refrigerate.

This condiment is fabulous on coleslaw, sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, shoes… basically anything.

**This recipe contains raw egg yolks. If you have a compromised immune system, you can use pasteurized eggs for this recipe.

Re-posted from the Veronica Foods blog.