Meatless Monday – Patatas Bravas (spicy potatoes) with avocado crème
A classic tapas dish, usually served with a spicy tomato sauce. We are elevating it to superstar status with the addition of a delicious avocado crème to balance the fiery sauce. For a shortcut, the homemade tomato sauce can be replaced with tomato chilli jam.
Serves 8 – 10 as a starter/ side dish
You’ll need: For the sauce – 45ml avocado or olive oil; 1 small red onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, chopped; 1 x 410g can chopped tomatoes; 15ml tomato purée; 10ml smoked paprika; 1 chilli, deseeded and chopped; 125ml red wine or sherry vinegar; large pinch of brown sugar; sea salt, to taste; chopped fresh parsley, to garnish.
For the potatoes – 900g potatoes, cut into small cubes; 30ml avocado or olive oil; 5ml smoked paprika; 15ml mixed dried herbs.
For the avocado – 2 avocados, halved and stoned; 30ml avocado or olive oil; 125ml water.
How to:
For the potatoes; heat the oven to 180°C. Pat the potatoes with kitchen paper to dry, then place into a roasting tin and toss with the oil and seasoning. Roast until crisp and golden, about 45 – 50 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
To make the sauce, heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, smoked paprika, chilli, vinegar, brown sugar and a grinding of sea salt. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally then lower to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes (Can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours).
About 10 minutes before the end of the potatoes’ cooking time, make the avocado crème. Whizz one avocado with the oil and the water until a smooth pourable consistency, adding a touch more water as necessary.
Transfer the potatoes to serving dishes and pour over the tomato sauce. Spoon over the extra diced avocado and garnish with chopped fresh parsley with the avocado crème on the side.
* Recipe & image by www.avocado.co.za
