Patatas (papas) a la pobre

I say papas because in my pueblo and elsewhere, they say papas for patatas.

There are various ways of doing this, so this is just how I do it for a late breakfast/brunch. Sometimes on their own with bread, or sometimes with salad or leftovers, or fried pimientos – recipe for that in this Spanish section too.

Ingredients

Potatoes
Chillies
Garlic
Salt
Olive oil
Herbs – optional

Hot chillies – don’t use all these!

Method

Dice potatoes. Add to frying/sauté pan with olive oil, chopped or crushed garlic and chopped chilli. Ours are hot so I usually only use one, but do include the seeds. When the potatoes start cooking sprinkle some sea salt over them. Sometimes I’ll add some herbs, either thyme or oregano. Keep turning the potatoes from time to time to ensure they crisp on all sides.

Potatoes just beginning to brown. These didn’t need the lid as they cooked pretty quickly.

Depending on the type of potatoes, sometimes I’ll cover the pan to help the potatoes soften.

My neighbours deep fry their potatoes and add pimientos (green peppers).

Whichever way you cook them, it’s cheap, easy, and tasty.

You can serve it with whatever you want, I’ve added:

• sautéed courgette and/or aubergine
• sandwiches
• slices of Spanish cheese (cured sheep’s or goat’s)
• salads
• vegetarian slices
• tempeh marinated in soy
• setas (oyster mushrooms)
• pimientos con sal

Or just serve with bread, and add tabasco and vinagre de Jerez (sherry vinegar).