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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Batata harra with fried eggs

Batata harra is a Lebanese dish of potatoes sauteed with garlic, chili, and cilantro, served here with fried eggs, for 4 people in 40 minutes. It's very easy to make, at €1.40 per person. The key is parboiling the potatoes in water before browning them in the pan, so they stay soft inside and turn crispy outside.

Crispy potatoes sautéed with garlic, cilantro, and chili, the Lebanese batata harra, topped with fried eggs.

Batata harra with fried eggs
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.40
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Batata harra literally means spicy potatoes, and that's exactly what you get, golden cubes with a crisp bite, perfumed with garlic, lifted by chili, and brightened by fresh cilantro and lemon. A fried egg on top, its yolk running into the hot potatoes, turns this into a complete dish that needs nothing else.

This is the kind of weeknight dinner you throw together without planning ahead, since potatoes and eggs are almost always sitting in the kitchen. Mon Chou loves this recipe for how simple it is, it takes few steps but a bit of patience at the stove. Kids eat the potatoes without complaint, you just adjust the chili depending on who's at the table.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1 kg
  • Garlic 6 cloves
  • Cilantro 2 bunch
  • Lemon 1

Pantry

  • Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Eggs 4

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the potatoes into cubes and boil them in salted water. 10 min

    Take them out while they still resist the knife a bit.

  2. Drain them and let them air dry for a few minutes.

    Dry potatoes brown better.

  3. Brown them in hot oil, stirring as little as possible. 12 min

    Let a crust form before flipping them.

  4. Add the crushed garlic, chili, chopped cilantro, and lemon juice, and saute for one minute. 1 min

    Add the garlic last, it burns fast.

  5. Fry the eggs separately and place them on top of the potatoes. 3 min

    A runny yolk acts as the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't crowd the pan when browning the potatoes, work in two batches if needed so they crisp up instead of steaming.
  • Chop the cilantro at the last minute, it keeps its full flavor and won't turn dark on the plate.
  • Taste your chili powder before measuring it out, some brands pack a lot more heat than others.

The variations

  • Swap the chili powder for red pepper flakes or a touch of harissa for more depth.
  • For a milder version for kids, cut the chili in half and add a spoonful of plain yogurt instead.
  • To save time, microwave the potatoes for a few minutes before browning them in the pan.

What to serve it with

  • Warm pita bread
  • A tomato and cucumber salad
  • Plain yogurt or labneh

Storage

The potatoes keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container, though they lose their crispness. Reheat them in a pan with a little oil rather than in the microwave to crisp them back up a bit. Fried eggs don't keep, cook them fresh right before serving.

Questions about this dish

Can you make batata harra ahead of time?

You can parboil the potatoes several hours ahead and keep them in the fridge. Brown them in the pan and fry the eggs just before serving, so everything stays crispy.

Which potatoes work best for this recipe?

Pick a firm, waxy potato, like a Yukon Gold or fingerling, it holds its shape and browns well. A starchy potato will fall apart too easily in the pan.

Can I use parsley instead of cilantro?

Flat leaf parsley works well as a substitute, adding freshness without cilantro's distinctive flavor. The dish takes on a different character but stays just as good.

How do you make this less spicy for kids?

Just cut back on the chili powder, or set aside a portion of the potatoes before adding the spice at all. Serving plain yogurt on the side also helps cool things down.

How long does it take to make a batata harra with fried eggs?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a batata harra with fried eggs?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a batata harra with fried eggs cost?

About €1.40 per serving, or €5.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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