Chtitha Batata (Algerian Potato Stew)

📝 Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
• 1 small fresh red chile pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 pounds new potatoes, halved
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• water to cover
• salt to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Combine garlic, chile pepper, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, and salt in a mortar; grind with a pestle until it forms a paste. Add olive oil and mix dersa well.
2. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and stir-fry dersa until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes. Add potato halves and stir to combine with the dersa. Stir in tomato paste. Pour in enough water to just cover the potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 40 minutes.
3. Ladle potatoes into a serving bowl. Spoon any remaining sauce over the potatoes.