Patatas bravas with oak-smoked alioli
Ingredients
400 g King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes
500 ml vegetable or sunflower oil
Sea salt
Salsa brava
¼ tsp dried chilli flakes (plus extra if required)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 leek, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
500 g ripe tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato purée
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of sweet smoked paprika
1 jar alioli (e.g. Brindisa Finca La Barca oak smoked alioli)
Method
- Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onion, carrot, leek and garlic and cook on a low heat for 15 min, until the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally. 
- Grate the tomatoes, discarding the skins, and add to the saucepan along with the chilli flakes and tomato puree. Simmer over a low heat for 30-40 mins, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thick and dark red. Taste and add extra dried chilli if necessary. Blend the sauce until smooth (you may wish to add a little water to thin out the sauce at this stage). Taste and adjust the seasoning. 
- Peel and cut the potatoes into 2.5 cm squares. Cook in salted boiling water for 8 minutes until tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Drain in a colander and leave to dry. 
- Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan (the oil should be no more than one-third of the way up). Carefully spoon in the potatoes when the temperature of the oil reaches around 180°C (or when a small piece of potato sizzles in the oil). Deep fry for 3 to 10 mins, until the potatoes are golden and crunchy. Drain on kitchen paper. 
- Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and serve with the brava sauce, a sprinkle of smoked sweet pepper and a dollop of oak-smoked alioli (and perhaps a couple of fried eggs). - Serves 2 
 
                        