A Peruvian appetizer, this spread of fingerling potatoes is paired with a rich, spicy sauce. The hauancaía sauce is made with queso fresco, garlic, and aji amarillo pepper paste.
Roasted Potatoes with Peruvian Huancaína Sauce
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A mouth-watering appetizer of crisp potatoes with a queso fresco and aji amarillo pepper dip from Peru.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, rough chopped
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 8 oz (225 g) queso fresco
- 5 tbsp (75 ml) aji amarillo paste
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 2 tbsp m+1 tsp grapeseed oil
- 3 water crackers (saltines also work)
Potatoes
- 1 lb (450 g) miniature fingerling potatoes, washed and sliced in half
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Sauce
- Heat one tsp grapeseed oil in a small skillet and add onion, garlic, and salt. Cook on medium-low heat, until onions become soft and translucent, do not brown. Set aside.
- In a blender, combine onion mixture with all other ingredients and puree until smooth. Mixture should be loose enough to fall off a spoon in a smooth and continuous stream. It should not be watery or too thick. If the sauce is too thick or close to the consistency of sour cream, add water, one tbsp at a time to loosen. Transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and coat potatoes well. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown.
- Serve warm potatoes with a side of huancaina sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Peruvian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for aji amarillo pepper paste if I can’t find it?
You can use a combination of yellow bell pepper and a bit of cayenne pepper for heat, or try using aji panca paste for a milder flavor.
How do I achieve crispy roasted potatoes?
Make sure to toss the fingerling potatoes with enough oil and space them out on the baking sheet to allow for even roasting, turning them halfway through the cooking time.
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of queso fresco for the Huancaína sauce?
Yes, you can substitute queso fresco with feta cheese or ricotta, but the flavor and texture will vary slightly.
