Recipe Corner with Albert
These garlic potatoes from San Sebastian, known as patatas al ajillo a la donostiarra, are one of Spain’s best potato dishes. We’re talking a ton of great flavors, basic everyday ingredients, and all done in a little over 30 minutes. Serve them as a tapas appetizer, as a side dish, or even for breakfast.
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: I fried the potatoes in extra virgin olive oil, as that is what is typically used. Of course, you can use any type of oil you like. But I tell you, by frying the potatoes in extra virgin olive oil, like they do in San Sebastian, it gives the potatoes a beautiful lift of flavors.
Watch Albert prepare this recipe on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Z5FRwjVJI
GARLIC POTATOES from San Sebastian | Patatas al Ajillo a la Donostiarra
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 240 ml
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled) 2 1/4 lbs (1 Kilogram)
- 8 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper 0.625 grams
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley 5 grams
- 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
- chopped chives for garnish
- sea salt & black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large fry pan with a low-medium heat and add in the olive oil
- In the meantime, cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces that are 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick
- Add the cut potatoes into the hot fry pan, mix together, then mix every 3 to 4 minutes so all the potatoes evenly cook
- After 25 to 30 minutes and the potatoes are just cooked through (you can always pierce them with a toothpick to ensure they are done), remove the pan from the heat and drain the potatoes into a colander with a heatproof bowl underneath
- Heat the same pan with a low-medium heat, and add in 3 tbsp (45 ml) of the reserved olive oil from the potatoes, then immediately add in the chopped garlic and crushed red pepper, and mix continuously
- After 1 minute and the garlic is nice and fragrant, turn off the heat, add the potatoes back into the pan, along with the chopped parsley, and season generously with salt and a kiss of pepper, gently mix together until well mixed
- Transfer the potatoes into a large serving dish, top off with a dash of paprika and some chopped chives, enjoy!
