Patatas Bravas


INGREDIENTS  (4 servings)
for the potatoes:
4-5 medium-sized potatoes
2 cloves of garlic
2 sprigs of rosemary
1 tsp. of fennel seeds
2 tsp. of sweet paprika
salt
olive oil

for the Brava sauce:
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 carrot
200g can of chopped tomatoes
4 sprigs of thyme
2 chillies
2 tsp. of sweet paprika
1 tbsp of wine vinegar
salt
Who doesn't know Patatas Bravas? They are one of the most famous tapas dishes in Spain: pan-fried potatoes, flavoured with rosemary, paprika and fennel seeds accompanied by an amazing spicy tomato sauce!
PREPARATION
  1. Place whole potatoes in boiling water and cook for 15 minutes.
  2. Coarsely chop the onion and sauté it in a spoonful of olive oil together with the minced garlic. After 5-6 minutes, add the chopped carrot, peeled tomatoes, chillies cut into strips, thyme, sweet paprika powder, a splash of vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer, covered for 10-15 minutes. When done, put the sauce in a blender and mix until you obtain a smooth and velvety sauce. I prefer my sauce a bit chunky so I don't use a blender. 
  3. Cut up the boiled potatoes (if organic leave the skin on, it gives an extra flavour) into cubes and fry them in a pan in plenty of olive oil. Fry, stirring often, for about 10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Salt to taste and add the crushed cloves of garlic and rosemary, fry for other 5 minutes for flavours to blend well. When done, remove from heat and season with sweet paprika and fennel seeds.
  4. Serve the potatoes with the Brava sauce in a separate bowl or directly on top - Spanish style.