Patatas a lo pobre: Poor man´s potatoes

Patatas a lo pobre is a classic Andalucían dish that can be served either as tapas, or to accompany a wide variety of fish and chicken dishes.

I have my own version that I sometimes cook in the microwave, using less olive oil than in the traditional way of cooking in a frying pan.  It is just as delicious!

Ingredients (adjust according to taste/numbers):

Potatoes, sliced

Onions, sliced

Garlic, chopped

Green peppers (Italian), sliced

Red pepper, sliced  (I just add a small amount for the colour)

Salt and pepper

Mixed herbs

Extra virgin Olive oil

Patatas a lo pobre - ingredients

Layer the ingredients into a glass Pyrex-type dish, drizzle with olive oil, cover with pierced cling-film and microwave on full power for approximately 20 minutes (or until potatoes are cooked).  I usually check about halfway through, give it a little mix around and add more olive oil if I feel I need to.

Que aproveche!

Have you ever tried cooking tapas, at home?

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37 thoughts on “Patatas a lo pobre: Poor man´s potatoes

  1. I’m not sure I would want a reduced oil version of this dish. Good olive oil has an exquisite flavour of its own, which is incorporated into the flavour of the vegetables. Also the oil takes on the flavour of the vegetables and is fabulous to soak up with a good bread once the vegetables have been dispatched. I find the flavoured oil is the best bit so put in extra. It is an important ingredient not just a cooking medium.

    • Absolutely, Mike. The traditional way of making this dish can also make the vegetables really tasty, with some of the potatoes getting a little crispy and burned around the edges of the pan. The microwaved, less-oil version is a quicker, healthier option. Nothing more, nothing less.

  2. Marianne, I came to your blog after reading your comment on Leanne’s Compact Market post. I wanted to see your photos taken with the SX220HS. I have an SX230HS as my carry around camera and really like it. Your photos (and blog) looks great! I’ll be checking in regularly, so thanks!

  3. Perfect boat recipe! Thanks Marianne – I’ve had this before and forgotten about it. Could slice up some chorizo and add it too. I don’t mind if it’s not authentic 🙂

  4. Around the Mediterranean, some of the best dishes have peasant origins. Your potatoes here are further proof of that. My Mom made something similar when I was a boy and I enjoyed it then. I’m quite sure I’d enjoy yours now. 🙂

    • I’m sure there must be a similar dish in Turkey. In the original version of Andalucia, the only ingredients used were what they could grow themselves, so they might only use potatoes and green peppers. Of course, like many dishes, it’s easy to adapt and add whatever you like 🙂

  5. Once a week I prepare a full soup to nuts dinner for an elderly woman. I get everything ready to cook, put it in the refrigerator and then she pops it in the oven or microwave when she feels like eating. I’m always looking for recipes with simple-to-follow instructions for her, and this one fits that bill PERFECTLY! Thank you, thank you!!!

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