BATATA HARRAH (Batata Harra)

Batata Harrah or Batata Harra is a traditional Lebanese recipe that is very simple to make and requires very little preparation. These are Lebanese spicy potatoes boiled, fried, and then coated in spices, cilantro, and lime.

As an appetizer, a side dish, or a mid-day lunch, these spiced potatoes are must to have. Try it once and you’ll never forget the aroma and taste! They are vegan and gluten-free.

Lebanese Spicy Potatoes

Lebanese cuisine is packed with some amazing vegan dishes. It’s not only about falafel and hummus but a lot more intense and delicious. Batata Harra is a Lebanese dish that is served as an appetizer whenever you dine out in Lebanon. It is Basically fried potatoes with a kick of red chili and garlic.   

Fried potatoes? Did someone say fried potatoes? Quite right ... and if you love the crispy potato slices or cubes as much as I do, then today's recipe will surely put you in culinary ecstasy.

Things you’ll Need

• Oil:  for frying crispy potatoes after boiling. Olive oil for frying seasoning.
• Potatoes: The heart of the recipe and everyone’s favorite.
• Garlic: Minced garlic will drive flavor and traditional aroma to the dish.    
• Red Chili Paste: because after all, they are spicy potatoes.
• Lemon: This will add a tangy twist to the dish.
• Salt: For the taste of course.

How to Make Batata Harah

For the spicy Lebanese Potatoes you have to  

1.  First Peel and cut potatoes into cubes.
2. Boil for 5 minutes in salted water.
3. Drain.
4. Heat canola oil and fry boiled potatoes until crisp. Remove onto a paper towel-lined plate.  
5. In another pan heat Olive oil and fry minced garlic, chili paste, lemon juice, and finely chopped cilantro. Sauté and add the potatoes. Mix well.  
6. Garnish with some more cilantro and Serve Immediately Enjoy! 

What to Serve with Batata Harra

For serving, you can complete your little "mezze" with a fresh salad. you can prepare a simple tomato salad as an extra. Dice or finely chop tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and ginger and add a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, light balsamic vinegar, mustard, agave syrup, Mix salt and pepper, this salad complement the dish very well.

The second thing you can do is make the coriander sauce. It will make it more delicious than before and looks perfect for the serving. My trick works for making it look decent with no effort at all. 

Making in Advance

Batata harra is a kind of dish that I will never suggest to make ahead of time. They taste divine when fresh just like french fries, but get soggy and taste less if you prepare them in advance.

Still, If you want to prepare them ahead of time, you can boil potatoes in advance but fry and season them just before serving.

Quick Tips  

The following tips will help you prepare the perfect delicious Lebanese Batata Harra recipe! 

1. Always remember to give the potatoes a toss halfway through cooking. It will help bring a golden brown color and make them taste crispier.  
2. If you want them softly spiced potatoes, you can keep them in salted water for more time but crispy ones taste better.  
3. If you do not have chili paste you can use chili flakes instead.

Other Vegan Potato Recipe

If you like Batata Harra you may also like VEGAN OVEN-BAKED LOADED FRIES or CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES.

Move over fries, for me, Batata Harra is the best potato-based dish in the world. I wish you a good appetite and look forward to your feedback on this recipe. How did you prepare it and can you recommend other vegan delicacies from Lebanon or the Middle East?