It’s Tapas Tuesday time again, and this week we’re looking at another classic Spanish favourite, Patatas Bravas. This is a delicious tapas dish, it is very tasty and goes really well with other tapas too.
It’s also very simple and easy to make with easy to buy ingredients, so a good one to throw together quickly when you’re in a rush but fancy something a little different.
This particular tapas dish is extremely popular, and you’ll find this pretty much everywhere in Spain. Whether you are in Barcelona or Madrid, or sat in small beach side cafe, these gorgeous Spanish potatoes are always on the menu.
Fancy having a go at making some yourself? Here is a recipe that I use, I usually make this to serve around 4-6 people –
Ingredients –
4 large potatoes / 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil / 1 onion / 2 cloves garlic / 1 can of chopped tomatoes / 1 tablespoon tomato puree / 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (you can also use smoked paprika here too) / A pinch of Chilli Powder (you can add more or less here depending on how spicy you like your potatoes) / Salt and Pepper
What to do –
- Pop the oven on to 180 0C, and peel and chop your potatoes into small cubes. Pour over a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then pop those in to the oven in a roasting tin for around 40 minutes
- Whilst the potatoes are cooking, chop your onion into small chunks and crush the cloves of garlic
- In a pan, heat the olive oil, and add the onions and garlic until soft
- Pour in the can of chopped tomatoes, and add in the tomato puree, paprika and a pinch of chilli powder
- Taste the sauce as you go along, and don’t forget to season with salt and pepper
- Add a little extra chilli powder here if you want to make your potatoes that little bit spicier, or if you fancy them a little sweeter then you can add a pinch of Sugar here too
- Once your potatoes are looking crispy and ready, transfer into an oven proof dish and pour over the sauce. Pop the dish back in the over for 5-10 minutes until bubbling nicely
- Take the potatoes out of the oven once ready. Serve straight from the oven with cocktail sticks for easy eating
These go really well with meatballs, prawns in garlic, calamari and they make a great dish to serve with Paella too. Stay tuned for more recipes coming up on the next ‘Tapas Tuesday.’
I’d love to hear how you get on with yours – Tweet us @PlaceinSpain or tag us on Instagram @yourplaceinspain.
Enjoy,
Joanne x
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Ideally located, with easy access to beautiful beaches and with some fantastic properties available right now, the area of La Zenia really does have something for everyone….
Accessibility – You can fly to both Alicante airport and Murcia, San Javier airport to get to La Zenia. If you’re flying into Alicante then it is around a 45 minute drive to the location, if it is Murcia airport that you land at then you can be in La Zenia in around 20-25 mintues.
The Area – La Zenia is an area that is ideally situated, within easy access to the motorway network and the coast road, and is nestled between the neighbouring towns of Cabo Roig and Playa Flamenca. La Zenia is also home to the beautiful blue flag beaches of Cala Del Bosque and Cala Cecrad too.
The busy town of Torrevieja is just a ten minute drive away, with a huge variety of attractions, bars, restaurants and entertainment all year round. La Zenia is a multi-national destination for holiday makers and residents. The area is also home to the famous Paddys Point bar, which is one of the most well known bars on the Costa Blanca.
As you would expect, the local cuisine is traditional, Mediterranean food, but also the famous local dishes of lamb chops and legs of lamb cooked with garlic and rosemary, rabbit cooked in garlic, and homemade sausages and black pudding are very popular too. The traditional Spanish rice dishes and tapas are available everywhere too.
La Zenia Boulevard on the Orihuela Coast is the newest and also the biggest shopping centre in the province of Alicante, and provides 150 shops both fashion and home, restaurants, cafes and a casino. A visit here is a must if you’re a lover of shopping!
Golf courses are also just a ten minute drive away, the 3 famous courses in Villamartin are the closest including Campoamor and Las Ramblas, and a 25 minute drive will take you to 5* golf courses in Murcia including the Mar Menor Golf Resort.
The Weather – Similar to other areas on the Costa Blanca, the weather is generally beautiful with over 300 days of sunshine a year, very low humidity and with mild winters too.
The Properties – La Zenia is home to some fantastic properties, with re-sale and new build apartments, villas and townhouses available. In such a fantastic location with so much on your doorstep, La Zenia provides the perfect destination for ‘Your place in Spain.’
We’ve picked our current top 5 properties for you here and the current exchange rate means that these properties are available at fantastic prices. Now is the time, don’t miss out….
https://www.yourplaceinspain.com/property/apartmentforsaleinlazenia-7/
https://www.yourplaceinspain.com/property/apartmentforsaleinlazenia-6/
https://www.yourplaceinspain.com/property/apartmentforsaleinlazenia-19/
https://www.yourplaceinspain.com/property/apartmentforsaleinlazenia-2/
https://www.yourplaceinspain.com/property/townhouseforsaleinlazenia/
*Calculated at exchange rate of circa 1.30 to £1, any exchange rate fluctuation will change the sterling price*
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3 Bed Villa Opportunities on the beautiful Costa Blanca…
If you’ve been thinking about buying property in Spain over the past 6 months, then the current exchange rate of 1.30 euro / £1, means that now is a fantastic time to buy. It also helps to make these properties great buys…
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
Located at the end of a quiet lane within walking distance to of the village centre of Beniarbeig, Northern Costa Blanca.
€199,950 / £153,800
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
A modern detached property located in the large rural village of La Aparecida, in Murcia.
€139,950 / £107,600
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
This attractive detached villa is situated in the sought after area of Los Dolses, Costa Blanca South.
€185,000 / 142,000
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
In excellent condition throughout and located on the popular Monte Solana development close to Pedreguer, Costa Blanca North.
€190,000 / £146,150
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
Immaculate detached villa located in the Jalon Valley, close to the village of Murla, Costa Blanca North
€195,000 / £150,000
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
A single level detached villa with open views in a quiet, rural location just 5 minutes from Benitachell town.
€195,000 / £150,000
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
Modern villas with private 6x3m pools and are located in the Dona Pepa area of Ciudad Quesada, Costa Blanca South.
€195,000 / £150,000
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
Partly reformed, and located on the edge of the Orange groves close to the village of Orba, Costa Blanca North.
€195,000 / £150,000
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa
Situated in the quaint Spanish town of Aigues, near El Campello,
Costa Blanca North
€199,900 / £153,700
*All properties shown are subject to availability, and prices plus purchase taxes and costs. These sterling prices are calculated at exchange rate of 1.30, this can fluctuate*
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At Your Place in Spain Ltd we have a commitment to the phrase ‘buy safely,’ so much so that we practically insist that you, our client, speak with an independent Spanish solicitor, which is without obligation, prior to flying out to view a property.
The benefit of doing this, is that you are fully informed of your obligations as a property owner in Spain, and that includes taxes and the purchase process, including all fees. There are so many different figures thrown out to prospects, even a well known TV program is suggesting that there is “10% to add on top” of the purchase price, that figure is only the tax due, but what about the Notary fees, Land registry, solicitors fees?
The attitude of ‘no surprises’ for you in your purchasing process ensures that the buying decision is an informed one, as well as an emotional one, after all we understand buying your Spanish home is the realisation of a dream for many.
Once you have made the decision to buy, and you have the funds available, and an idea of where ideally you want to be, you now just want to make the right decision on the property and location.
So what to do next?
Your Place in Spain believes the current market offers opportunity for everyone, the prices are competitive, and many of the properties are in good locations. It stands to reason any buyer should want to be advised of all that is available that fits their requirements in their chosen location.
We understand requirements as well as locations can change when you are actually in Spain.
Being prepared before travelling to the location and having an understanding of the obligations, cost and type of property that you want to view will maximize the time available to you whilst you are in the location, looking at what you actually want to see.
It is understandable that whilst the sun is shining, and the weather is warm, being taken to look at property that is of no interest to you would cause frustration. This can impact on your decision and affect your search for the right property in a negative way.
At Your Place in Spain Ltd we will work with your requirements and provide a property portfolio of details & images that fit those requirements. This way, you can then see the properties and get a feel for what your money can buy you. If you then wish to view one or a selection of the portfolio, the appointment is arranged, and whatever happens after that is down to you, and what you want to do.
So to summarise, we believe that buying in Spain is a straight forward process for you, the client, when you are fully informed of your obligations. When you know what your cash will buy you and you’re prepared with an informative portfolio before you start the viewings, and when you have identified the style of properties to view, then there is a good chance that you will arrive at the realisation of your dream!
With over 2500 available properties across our portfolio in the regions of Costa Blanca South, Costa Blanca North, Murcia, Marbella and Costa Almeria, we believe we can help most achieve that dream, following our process of being informed and in control………..Get in touch see how we can help you.
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