بطاطا حرة
شام الاصيل soaks the cubed potatoes in vinegar water before frying, and that's where the crunch comes from.
بطاطا حرة earns its crunch before the oil is even hot. The cubed potatoes soak in cold water with white vinegar for ten minutes, a step شام الاصيل describes as optional but consequential, drawing out surface starch so each piece fries dry rather than steams. She fries in two batches until the potatoes reach what she calls the color of a dragonfly's wing, deeply golden and distinct. In Lebanese home cooking, the dish moves easily between meze table and main course, finished fast with garlic, pepper paste, fresh cilantro, and lemon.
What you'll need
Serves 4 · Estimated — adjust if needed
- 1300g / 2.9 lbالبطاطاPotato1300g / 2.9 lbPotatoالبطاطا
- 1 tsp / 5 mlدبس فلفلPepper paste1 tsp / 5 mlPepper pasteدبس فلفل
- ½ tsp / 2.5 mlفلفل أسودBlack pepper½ tsp / 2.5 mlBlack pepperفلفل أسود
- 1 tsp / 5 mlملحSalt1 tsp / 5 mlSaltملح
- 4 clovesثومGarlic4 clovesGarlicثوم
- ½ tsp / 2.5 mlكزبرة يابسةDried coriander½ tsp / 2.5 mlDried corianderكزبرة يابسة
- 1 small lemon(~2 tbsp / 30 ml)عصير ليمونةLemon juice1 small lemon(~2 tbsp / 30 ml)Lemon juiceعصير ليمونة
- as neededزيت زيتونOlive oilas neededOlive oilزيت زيتون
- 1 small bunch(~15g / 0.5 oz)كزبرة خضرةFresh cilantro1 small bunch(~15g / 0.5 oz)Fresh cilantroكزبرة خضرة
- 2 tbsp / 30 mlخل أبيضWhite vinegar2 tbsp / 30 mlWhite vinegarخل أبيض
Cook it through
One step at a time.
- Step 101Step 01 / 07
Peel and cube potatoes
تقشير وتقطيع البطاطاPeel 1300g / 2.9 lb of white-fleshed potatoes. Cut them into thick slices first, then cube into small, even pieces so they fry uniformly.
By feel · Watch the panBy FeelNo timer — watch the pan. - Step 202Step 02 / 07
Soak in vinegar water
نقع البطاطا بالخلWash the cubed potatoes and cover with water. Add 2 tbsp / 30 ml of white vinegar and soak for 10 minutes. This removes excess starch and is the secret to extra crispiness.
Timer · 10 minIn the app · Timer10 min - Step 303Step 03 / 07
Drain and dry thoroughly
تصفية وتجفيف البطاطاDrain the potatoes and pat them completely dry with a clean towel. Removing all surface moisture is essential — any remaining water will cause dangerous splattering in the hot oil and prevent crisping.
Timer · 4 minIn the app · Timer4 min - Step 404Step 04 / 07
Fry potatoes until golden
قلي البطاطا حتى تذهبHeat enough olive oil in a pan over high heat. Fry the potatoes in 2 batches until deeply golden and crispy — the narrator describes the ideal color as the wing of a dragonfly. Drain on paper towels.
By feel · Watch the panBy FeelNo timer — watch the pan. - Step 505Step 05 / 07
Sauté garlic and spices
تحمير الثوم والبهاراتIn the same pan, add a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, pepper paste, black pepper, dried coriander, and salt. Sauté briefly until fragrant.
Timer · 2 minIn the app · Timer2 min - Step 606Step 06 / 07
Add cilantro and lemon
إضافة الكزبرة والليمونAdd the fresh cilantro to the pan and immediately squeeze in the lemon juice. Stir quickly — do not let the cilantro sit too long in the heat.
Timer · 1 minIn the app · Timer1 min - Step 707Step 07 / 07
Toss potatoes and serve
تقليب البطاطا والتقديمAdd the fried potatoes to the pan and toss gently to coat with the sauce without crushing them. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately as an appetizer or main.
Timer · 2 minIn the app · Timer2 min
One step.
One screen.
One timer at a time.
The cookbook lives on this page. The cooking lives in Whisq — paced to your hands, your stove, your kitchen.
Get Whisq for iOSPeel 1300g / 2.9 lb of white-fleshed potatoes. Cut them into thick slices first, then cube into small, even pieces so they fry uniformly.
Heat enough olive oil in a pan over high heat. Fry the potatoes in 2 batches until deeply golden and crispy — the narrator describes the ideal color as the wing of a dragonfly.…
Add the fried potatoes to the pan and toss gently to coat with the sauce without crushing them. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately as an appetizer or main.
More from the cookbook
Cook it
with
confidence.
Whisq translates the world's recipes into something you can cook from. The headnote is for you. The timers are for the wok.