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Batates bel salsa (potatoes in garlicky tomato sauce)
بطاطس بالصلصة (batates bel salsa): cubed potatoes simmered in a garlic and tomato salsa, Cairo-style
In Egyptian kitchens "salsa" simply means tomato sauce, and batates bel salsa is what a Cairo mother makes when the fridge is nearly empty: potatoes, onion, tomato and a lot of garlic. The cubes are fried briefly first so they hold their shape, then simmered until soft and velvety in a sauce sharpened with a little vinegar. It goes on the table with rice and bread, sometimes with a fried egg on top for the kids. A common slip is cutting the potatoes in different sizes, so some fall apart while others stay hard; keep them to 2.5 cm cubes. Chef's tip: a few slices of green chilli in the sauce wake the whole pot up without making it hot.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 ¾ lb waxy potatoespeeled, 2.5 cm cubes
- 1 onionfinely chopped
- 5 garliccloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz chopped tomatoes1 tin
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 green chilli (optional)sliced
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 3 tbsp sunflower oil in a wide pan over a medium-high heat and fry 1 ¾ lb waxy potatoes, turning, until the edges are pale gold. Lift out with a slotted spoon.
8 minStep 2: Lower the heat and fry 1 onion in the same oil until soft.
5 minStep 3: Add 5 garlic and 2 tbsp tomato paste and stir for a minute until fragrant and darker.
2 minStep 4: Return the potatoes with 14 oz chopped tomatoes, 1 ½ cups water, 1 tsp white vinegar, ½ tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper and 1 green chilli. Cover and simmer gently until a knife slides through a potato cube with no resistance.
20 minStep 5: Uncover and simmer a few minutes until the sauce is thick enough to cling. Serve hot with rice.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does batates bel salsa (potatoes in garlicky tomato sauce) take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of waxy potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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