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Spanish Potatoes | Patatas a la Importancia

VEGAN Option | One-Pan | Easy Dinner Recipe

Written By: Byron | September 19, 2024
A large pan of Spanish potatoes patatas a la importancia

When you’re looking for a tasty and easy dinner recipe on a budget, then look further than this Spanish potatoes recipe: Patatas a la Importancia. Scalloped potatoes that are lightly battered then pan fried and then simmered in a smoky paprika-infused sauce and a rich flavorsome broth. 

This recipe is comfort food taken to the next level! It’s easy to make in one pan and comes together in under an hour. When you’re craving silky soft potatoes that melt in your mouth, this is your go-to easy dinner recipe!

This recipe makes a main for 2 or a tasty tapa for 4 people. 

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Serving:

Tapa for 4 | Main for 2

Ready in:

Under 1 hour

Skill level:

Easy

Serve with:

Fresh bread

Watch step-by-step recipe video

If you’re looking for this recipe’s video and many other great recipe ideas, why not check out our Spanish Radish YouTube Channel? We’ve got everything from quick and easy tapas recipes to delicious main meals, to incredible Spanish dessert options too.

Ingredients

Tapas for 4

  • 2 large Potatoes (800g / 28oz.)
  • 3 Eggs (or 100g vegan egg substitute)
  • 4 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 large Onion, finely diced
  • 4 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Spanish La Vera smoked paprika
  • 125 ml White wine
  • 2 cups Vegetable stock
  • 10 threads of Saffron (0.5g / 0.02oz.)
  • Small handful of Fresh parsley
  • Cracked black pepper (to taste)
  • Pink Himalayan Salt (to taste)

Equipment

            2 large potatoes sits beside some eggs, garlic, and onions.

            How to Make Spanish Potatoes | Patatas a la Importancia

            STEP 1 – Prep potatoes

            • Wash and slice the potatoes into rounds of about a centimeter (half an inch); 
            • Season them with some salt and pepper. 
            • Add the flour to a plate, and beat the eggs in another small bowl with a dash of cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt. 
            • Pass the potatoes through the flour and then through the beaten eggs. 

            STEP 2 – Fry Potatoes

            • Heat the olive oil on medium heat and once hot, fry the potatoes for 3 minutes per side (they won’t be cooked through, but just lightly golden). 
            • Transfer to a plate lined with some paper towel to drain off the excess oil .Set the potatoes aside and prepare the sauce. 

            Step 3 – Prepare the Sauce

            • Add the finely diced onion and fry on medium-high heat until lightly golden in the same pan used to cook the potatoes. 
            • Add the minced garlic and continue to fry for 2 minutes until fragrant and golden. 
            • Add a tablespoon of flour and stir through, then add the smoked paprika and season to taste with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. 
            • Add the wine, and once it begins to bubble and simmer, leave it to cook for 5 minutes. 

            Step 4 – Add potatoes and veggie stock

            • Carefully transfer the potatoes to the saucepan with the sauce, then pour in the broth and a few threads of saffron. 
            • Once the stick is bubbling, reduce heat and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated (around 30 minutes). Avoid stirring throughout cooking. Just give the pan a little shake to loosen up the liquid and potatoes. 

            Step 5 – Serve

            • Serve straight from the pan and garnish with a little freshly chopped parsley, a dash of sea salt, and some freshly cracked black pepper. 
            • Best served with a warmed fresh baguette to mop up the delicious sauce.
            A large pan of Spanish potatoes patatas a la importancia

            Cooking Tips: 

            Use Olive oil for frying

            • Use a good quality olive oil or even an extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. While vegetable oils are cheaper, a good quality olive oil is recommended as it helps build flavor in the sauce. EVOO and olive oils are also much healthier to cook and fry with and remain stable, maintaining many of their nutrients even when cooked at a high heat. 

            Choose the Right Potatoes

            • Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Spanish varieties such as Monalisa or Kennebec are ideal. These hold their shape well during frying and simmering without becoming mushy.
            • Avoid very starchy potatoes like Russets, as they can fall apart in the broth.

            Cut Even Potato Slices

            • Cut the potatoes into uniform slices, about 1 cm thick (approximately 1/2 inch). This ensures even cooking, with each slice getting crispy during frying and tender after simmering.

            Season the Potatoes Before Battering

            • Lightly season the potato slices with salt before coating them with flour and egg. This ensures that the potatoes absorb the seasoning, enhancing their flavor from the inside.

            Cook Slowly

            • Simmer slowly for about 30 minutes on low heat, just enough time for the potatoes to absorb the broth. The goal is to have soft, creamy interiors without overcooking them.
            two large potatoes

            Origins of Patatas a la Importancia

            The dish’s origins are often linked to the post-Civil War period in Spain (1936-1939), where economic hardship and food scarcity were widespread. In these times, families made do with what little they had, often relying on potatoes as a staple. 

            Over time, as Spain’s economy recovered, Patatas a la Importancia became a cherished comfort food, reminding people of resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity.

            The name, “a la importancia,” which means “potatoes of importance”, reflects a kind of ironic humor: while potatoes were common and inexpensive, this recipe treats them in a special way, elevating them with techniques typically used for meat or fish dishes. The final result is a deliciously soft potato scallop that’s simmered in a rich and flavorful sauce. 

            Cultural Significance

            Though simple, the dish is beloved in many parts of Spain, particularly in the central and northern regions. It is often served in homes and traditional restaurants, showcasing the Spanish knack for turning humble ingredients into something “important” and flavorful. It also reflects the country’s peasant cooking tradition, where rural communities made the most of limited ingredients.

            Patatas a la Importancia exemplifies Spanish cuisine’s deep connection to history, resourcefulness, and the elevation of simplicity into culinary art.

              A large pan of Spanish potatoes patatas a la importancia

              Recipe Techniques

              The process of preparing Patatas a la Importancia is very easy, and can be summarised into a few simple steps:

              1. Slicing potatoes into rounds.
              2. Coating them in flour and egg.
              3. Frying them until golden.
              4. Simmering them in a rich broth, often with garlic, onion, and sometimes white wine or saffron.

              This multi-step preparation is key to its flavor, as the frying gives the potatoes a crispy texture, and the broth allows them to absorb additional flavor, making them tender and deeply savory.

              Nutrition Facts

              Servings: 4

              Amount per serving

               

              Calories

              371

              % Daily Value*

              Total Fat 21.8g

              28%

              Saturated Fat 4.6g

              23%

              Cholesterol 140mg

              47%

              Sodium 575mg

              25%

              Total Carbohydrate 35.6g

              13%

              Dietary Fiber 5.3g

              19%

              Total Sugars 5.2g

               

              Protein 8.5g

               

              Vitamin D 13mcg

              66%

              Calcium 54mg

              4%

              Iron 2mg

              12%

              Potassium 900mg

              19%

              *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

              A large pan of Spanish potatoes patatas a la importancia
              A large pan of Spanish potatoes patatas a la importancia

              Spanish Potatoes | Patatas a la Importancia

              Byron
              When you’re looking for a tasty and easy dinner recipe on a budget, then look further than this Spanish potatoes recipe: Patatas a la Importancia. Scalloped potatoes that are lightly battered then pan fried and then simmered in a smoky paprika-infused sauce and a rich flavorsome broth.
              Prep Time 10 minutes
              Cook Time 45 minutes
              Total Time 55 minutes
              Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack, tapas
              Cuisine Mediterranean, Spain
              Servings 4 tapas
              Calories 371 kcal

              Equipment

              • 2 small Glass bowls (for flour and egg)
              • Large 12 inch skillet
              • Cutting board and sharp knife
              • Cooking Tongs

              Ingredients

              • 2 large Potatoes 800g / 28oz.
              • 3 Eggs (or vegan substitute)
              • 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
              • 1 large Onion finely diced
              • 4 Garlic cloves minced
              • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
              • 125 ml White wine
              • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
              • 2 cups Vegetable stock
              • 10 threads of Saffron 0.5g / 0.02oz.
              • Small handful of Fresh parsley
              • Cracked black pepper to taste
              • Pink Himalayan Salt to taste

              Instructions
               

              Step 1 - Prep potatoes

              • Wash and slice the potatoes into rounds of about a centimeter (half an inch);
                2 large Potatoes
              • Season them with some salt and pepper.
                Pink Himalayan Salt, Cracked black pepper
              • Add the flour to a plate, and beat the eggs in another small bowl with a dash of cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt.
                3 Eggs, 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
              • Pass the potatoes through the flour and then through the beaten eggs.

              Step 2 - Fry Potatoes

              • Heat the olive oil on medium heat and once hot, fry the potatoes for 3 minutes per side (they won’t be cooked through, but just lightly golden).
                1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
              • Transfer to a plate lined with some paper towel to drain off the excess oil .Set the potatoes aside and prepare the sauce.

              Step 3 - Prepare the Sauce

              • Add the finely diced onion and fry on medium-high heat until lightly golden in the same pan used to cook the potatoes.
                1 large Onion
              • Add the minced garlic and continue to fry for 2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
                4 Garlic cloves
              • Add a tablespoon of flour and stir through, then add the smoked paprika and season to taste with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
                1 tsp Smoked paprika
              • Add the wine, and once it begins to bubble and simmer, leave it to cook for 5 minutes.
                125 ml White wine

              Step 4 - Add potatoes and veggie stock

              • Carefully transfer the potatoes to the saucepan with the sauce, then pour in the broth and a few threads of saffron.
                2 cups Vegetable stock, 10 threads of Saffron
              • Once the stick is bubbling, reduce heat and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated (around 30 minutes). Avoid stirring throughout cooking. Just give the pan a little shake to loosen up the liquid and potatoes.

              Step 5 - Serve

              • Serve straight from the pan and garnish with a little freshly chopped parsley, a dash of sea salt, and some freshly cracked black pepper.
                Small handful of Fresh parsley
              • Best served with a warmed fresh baguette to mop up the delicious sauce.

              Video

              Notes

              Cooking tips: 

              Use Olive oil for frying

              • Use a good quality olive oil or even an extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. While vegetable oils are cheaper, a good quality olive oil is recommended as it helps build flavor in the sauce. EVOO and olive oils are also much healthier to cook and fry with and remain stable, maintaining many of their nutrients even when cooked at a high heat. 

              Choose the Right Potatoes

              • Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Spanish varieties such as Monalisa or Kennebec are ideal. These hold their shape well during frying and simmering without becoming mushy.
              • Avoid very starchy potatoes like Russets, as they can fall apart in the broth.

              Cut Even Potato Slices

              • Cut the potatoes into uniform slices, about 1 cm thick (approximately 1/2 inch). This ensures even cooking, with each slice getting crispy during frying and tender after simmering.

              Season the Potatoes Before Battering

              • Lightly season the potato slices with salt before coating them with flour and egg. This ensures that the potatoes absorb the seasoning, enhancing their flavor from the inside.

              Cook Slowly

              • Simmer slowly for about 30 minutes on low heat, just enough time for the potatoes to absorb the broth. The goal is to have soft, creamy interiors without overcooking them.
              Keyword 1 hours recipe, one pan, one-pot, patatas, Patatas a la importancia, Potatoes, spanish potatoes, Spanish tapas
              A large pan of Spanish potatoes patatas a la importancia

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