Thankyou again for all your sweet words about my race. Last night's yoga class was the perfect cure for tired legs, and I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and stretched. Not a bad combination for a Monday morning really!
Today was my scheduled "rest" day from exercise, and it was nice to have an evening at home with nothing specific on the agenda. It was also nice to spend a little extra time in the kitchen, cooking up tonight's Mystery Box meal.
The chosen ingredient:
Paprika!
Did you know? Paprika is the dried ground pods of the Capsicum Annun, a sweet red pepper. It contains capsaicin (also found in chillies and cayenne) which has both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Paprika is also rich in vitamin C, can assist digestion, and has also been used to treat conditions such as poor circulation and lethargy.
Sometimes when I select a Mystery Box ingredient, it takes me a while to work out what to make with it.
Other times, like tonight, I immediately know what to cook.
One of Mr BBB's all time favourite Spanish tapas dishes is Patatas Bravas - a fried potato dish served with a spicy tomato sauce. And the spice used in that spicy tomato sauce? Paprika!
Normally the potatoes are fried in oil, however I wanted to make the dish a little more waistline friendly so opted to oven bake them instead.
While the potatoes were in the oven, I sautéed the Bravas sauce - consisting of olive oil, garlic, onion, paprika, thyme, tobasco and diced tomatoes.
Removed from the heat, and combined with mayonnaise and ketchup until creamy.
Spooned over the roasted potatoes.
And served alongside some oven baked tofu and steamed broccoli.
Oh my – this little sauce was so so tasty.
The paprika added both sweetness and smokiness, with a hint of spice from the tobasco. The flavours worked wonderfully with the creaminess of the potatoes.
The ‘crowd’ also loved it and mentioned that the sauce could be served on anything. I must say that I agree.
Seriously – you must make this dish sometime soon.
BBB Bravas Sauce
- 1Tbs olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, diced finely
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4tbs diced tomatoes
- 1.5 tbs smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp tobasco
- 1/4 tsp ground thyme
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ketchup / tomato sauce
- Sautee onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent.
- Add tomatoes, paprika, tobasco and thyme, and simmer for 5 minutes stirring.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir through mayonnaise and tomato sauce.
- Serve atop a pile of oven roasted potatoes.
What about you? How do you like to cook with paprika?
Happy Baking :)
Posts
noms!
ReplyDeleteHmm I don't really cook with it, but it would nice on potato skins, sizzler style...
I've recently started using smoked paprika in a lot of dishes. It gives such a nice sweet but smoky flavor and gorgeous color.
ReplyDeleteAs a friend of mine commented while we were in Spain.... Patatas Bravo! I've been wondering how this sauce was made and will have to try it out soon.
ReplyDeleteoh delicious! I love that sauce. I must try!! I love paprika on my eggs, call me crazy but its good.
ReplyDeleteThat looks good! Yukon Golds are my favorite ;)
ReplyDeleteTeehee! When you were talking about papriak I was thinking "yeah, paprika's all well and good, but SMOKED paprika is where it's at!" And then you used smoked paprika. AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteI tend to sprinkle it over tofu/protein when stirfrying, and it's a major ingredient in my Cajun seasoning mix. Love the stuff!
P.S. Do you season your baked tofu, or just pop it in the oven plain?
mmm, I'm all about a good sauce! I might try this tonight!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I wish I could be as creative as you. I am so lame in the kitchen...lol. I tend to find a few things that I really like and stick with it. This is another thing to add to my "must try soon" list!
ReplyDeleteThat looks really good. I have to say, the mayo totally threw me, but I may try it!
ReplyDeletewhat a cool recipe! The hubs would LOVE it! Ssaving this one! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny because I love paprika but always forget about it in my seasoning cabinet. Your recipe looks great. And I love how you have a special ingredient every time.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, those are my favorite. A local tapas place make those and they are heaven! Great recipe, I'm ready to try myself.
ReplyDeleteThat sauce looks sooooo good! I've only had patatas bravas in restaurants where it is deep fried with the paprika, not with the sauce. The sauce does look so tempting though, will have to try it out!
ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious. Whenever I think of paprika I think of deviled eggs, but I've been trying to find other uses for the spices in my cabinet and I might just have to give this a try.
ReplyDeletei truly have a hard time liking paprika.. well nutmeg too, but i think paprika has never crossed my mind in terms of finding a recipe to use it in! now i dont have an excuse because THIS LOOKS DYNAMITE
ReplyDeletexoxo
this looks so yum! I may just have to give it a go! I love paprika, I often add it into my guacamole for a bit of extra spice
ReplyDeleteI love patatas bravas! I love using smoked paprika which adds an even more intense flavour to casseroles. When I worked at a supermarket, I found out the deli staff shake paprika onto the chickens before they went into the rotisserie, presumably to boost their golden brown colour.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice Lisa! I must admit I was wondering what you'd do with the paprika! :)
ReplyDeleteI want patatas bravas for dinner tomorrow - it would be tonight I wanted it but it is too late - I love smoked paprika in everything - goes fantastically with cheese such as in cheese scones - and helps reduce the salt needed - have also used it in split pea soup - mmm
ReplyDelete