Chef John's Patatas Bravas

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic , minced, or more to taste
• 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar , or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 0.25 teaspoons ground chipotle peppers
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper , or more to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   To make the sauce: Combine garlic, smoked paprika, and salt in a mortar and pestle or food processor; process until smooth. Mix in mayonnaise, sherry vinegar, tomato paste, chipotle chile powder, and cayenne pepper until combined. Cover and refrigerate sauce.

2. 2

   To make the spice blend: Mix salt, black pepper, paprika, and chipotle chile powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. 3

   To make the potatoes: Pour water into a large saucepan. Stir salt, smoked paprika, cumin, and bay leaves into water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover; simmer for 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir potatoes into seasoned water, bring to a boil, and simmer until potatoes are tender but not fully cooked, 4 to 5 minutes. The tip of a paring knife should easily insert into the center of a potato cube. Drain potatoes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 45 minutes.

5. 5

   Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

6. 6

   Add cooled potato cubes and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to cool slightly. Toss in a bowl with spice blend; drizzle sauce on top or serve as a dipping sauce.