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Vegetarian, European

Patatas a lo pobre with fried eggs

Patatas a lo pobre with fried eggs is a Spanish dish of potatoes slow cooked in olive oil with peppers and onions, topped with a fried egg. It serves 4, takes 45 minutes, and is rated easy, at a cost of €1.60 per person. The secret is cooking the potatoes gently so they confit rather than fry.

Tonight we're heading to Andalusia with patatas a lo pobre, melt in your mouth potatoes under a runny fried egg.

Patatas a lo pobre with fried eggs
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Under the crisp edges of the fried egg, the potatoes turn almost creamy. Slow cooked in olive oil, they take on a melting texture that's nothing like a regular pan fried potato. Green peppers and onion add sweetness and softness, while garlic quietly rounds out the flavor without ever taking over.

This is comfort food without the fuss, perfect for a weeknight dinner that pleases everyone with just a handful of ingredients. Kids love breaking the egg yolk and mixing it into the potatoes, and adults appreciate this simple Spanish classic. Mon Chou walks you through getting fondant potatoes every single time.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1 kg
  • Onions 2
  • Green peppers 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Parsley 1 bunch

Dairy

  • Eggs 8

Pantry

  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 12 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into half centimeter thick rounds. Thinly slice the onions, peppers, and garlic.

    Cut everything to the same thickness, otherwise the thin slices fall apart before the thick ones are cooked.

  2. Heat half the oil in a large skillet, add the salted potatoes and cook over low heat, turning occasionally. 15 min

    If you hear loud sizzling, turn the heat down, you're looking for a gentle simmer.

  3. Add the onions, peppers, and garlic, cover and keep cooking until everything is tender. 20 min

    Press a potato round with your spatula, if it collapses without resistance, it's ready.

  4. Meanwhile, fry the eggs in a pan with the remaining hot oil. 4 min

    Spoon hot oil over the whites as they cook, they'll set without you needing to flip the egg.

  5. Plate the potatoes, top each serving with one egg, add pepper and scatter with chopped parsley.

    Pierce the yolk at the table, it becomes a sauce for the potatoes.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use a wide skillet so the potatoes cook in a single layer, otherwise some pieces stay firm while others overcook.
  • Don't skimp on the olive oil, it's what confits the potatoes and gives them that signature melting texture.
  • Salt the potatoes right from the start of cooking, so they absorb the seasoning gently as they cook low and slow.

The variations

  • Swap the green peppers for red ones for a sweeter, more colorful version.
  • Add thin slices of mild chorizo along with the onions for a heartier, non vegetarian version.
  • For a quicker, kid friendly version, cut the potatoes thinner, they'll cook 10 minutes faster while staying just as tender.

What to serve it with

  • A salad of ripe tomatoes
  • Bread for mopping up the yolk
  • A cold glass of lemonade

Storage

The potatoes keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but skip storing the eggs since cooked eggs don't keep well. Reheat the potatoes in a pan over low heat with a splash of olive oil, then fry fresh eggs just before serving. Freezing isn't recommended, the potatoes turn mushy once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Why aren't my potatoes turning out tender?

The heat is probably too high, so they're frying instead of confiting. Turn the heat down as soon as you hear loud sizzling and let them cook longer over low heat.

Can you make the potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook them a few hours ahead and gently reheat them in a pan before serving. Fry the eggs only at the last minute so the yolk stays runny.

Can you swap the green peppers for other vegetables?

Red or yellow peppers work well and give a milder flavor. Avoid watery vegetables like zucchini, since they would make the potatoes soggy.

How do you know when the potatoes are done?

Press a slice with a spatula, it should collapse without resistance. If it holds its shape, cover and cook a few more minutes.

How long does it take to make a plate of patatas a lo pobre with fried eggs?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a plate of patatas a lo pobre with fried eggs?

About 510 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 plate of patatas a lo pobre with fried eggs cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 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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