Last updated on April 2nd, 2021 at 02:44 pm
This Loaded Patatas a lo Pobre is great as a side dish but is loaded with extras as to make it more than enough for a main. Packed with flavour this flavoursome potato dish is a quick and comforting bowl of yum.

What is Patatas a lo Pobre?
Patatas a lo Pobre, Poor Man's Potatoes, is a traditional Spanish dish that can be found on many a tapas menu. Originating in medieval Spain, the dish is made up of inexpensive ingredients - potatoes, onions and peppers - making it affordable for the poorer masses. Thus the name, "poor man's potatoes". Variations of it can probably be found in Irish, Greek and Italian tavernas too. The potato is the great equaliser isn't it? Most can afford it, many can cook it and everyone loves it.
Comforting Potatoes
If you love simple, honest, fuss-free food, you'll love Patatas a lo Pobre. It is a simple dish but so much more - it's familiar and comforting in the way only potatoes can be. Delicious served warm, this potato dish is just as wonderful served at room temperature as a salad. Forget the sandwiches, this is easy picnic food too. Invite me and I'll bring my mushroom fennel ceviche. Yay.
I call this Loaded Poor Man's Potato because the traditional recipe is potato, onion and sometimes pepper. This recipe introduces the added flavours and textures of artichoke and salty olives. I also cook the dish in a small amount of stock to bring it all together and add depth. Goodness me, I am eating the stuff and still salivating.
The beauty of this dish, besides its complete deliciousness, is that almost all ingredients are from the pantry if you keep your potatoes and onions in the pantry, which I do. I bought a small tub of mixed olives from the deli and a fresh bunch of curly green parsley but that's it, the rest we already had. Who doesn't love that?
If you like the simplicity of my walk-away chickpea tomato and spinach curry or the essence of the wholemeal pissaladiére, you'll love this.
I haven't included it in this recipe, but I often finely slice baby spinach or kale and add it towards the end of the cook for the Elf's benefit. What she doesn't know won't kill her and I know the addition will make her stronger. Enjoy.
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If you like this recipe, please check out my cookbook. Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family is full of simple, carnivore-approved family recipes.
Patatas a lo Pobre
Ingredients
- ½ kilogram baby potatoes I chose Baby Red and Baby Creams
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers from a jar preferably in oil
- ½ cup artichoke hearts sliced
- ⅓ cup black olives
- ¼ cup vegetable stock or vegan chicken-style stock
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup good quality olive oil
- sea salt
- black pepper
- parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Put a large pot of water on a medium heat.
- Cut the potatoes in to halves.
- Cook the potatoes for 10 minutes and strain.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the olive oil on low.
- Add the onion and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the paprika and oregano and stir.
- Place the potatoes, cut side down, in the pan.
- Season the potatoes with sea salt and black pepper
- Sprinkle the sliced peppers over the potato and then the artichoke hearts.
- Add the olives.
- Pour in the stock and continue to cook on low for 20 minutes.
- The dish is ready when the potatoes can be pierced with a fork but still hold their shape. Sprinkle with fresh parsley to serve.
Peter says
wonderful salad - did this at last years Xmas dinner and again this year 🙂
Amanda says
I'm so glad you like it, Peter. It is such an easy and tasty dish and who doesn't love potatoes, right? 🙂 Thanks so much for writing to me.
thalia says
I love the shots of these potatoes! They look so rustic and delicious. Definitely would love to try some.
Amanda says
Thanks Thalia! I loved doing this shoot. I love the potatoes more. Thanks for stopping by.
Allie | In This Kitchen says
These are so beautiful for being such a simple dish! Those are my favorite kinds of meals 🙂 And all of your photos are so, so beautiful. I love the styling.
Amanda says
Thanks so much Allie, that's so lovely of you to say. I love these potatoes - they are so easy and just yum.