Globally, kitchen enthusiasts routinely try to convert a simple bag of potatoes into a delicious evening meal. In my cooking adventures often involve a spicy Sri Lankan potato curry, a savory Gujarati version, or even a slow-cooked Spanish tortilla for a cozy occasion. This time, however, the answer comes from Greece. Yahni describes a time-honored Greek culinary style: vegetables slow-cooked amply in olive oil and tomatoes until wonderfully yielding. It’s not just a dish—it’s a celebration of the unfussy, the slow, and the incredibly satisfying (and yes, it ultimately is a wonderful dinner).
Greek Braised Potatoes
Dish this up with crusty bread or Greek pitas for a complete main. It also goes perfectly with a selection of mezze or even served alongside a runny egg for a unexpectedly great breakfast.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Serves: 4 people
You Will Need
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large red onion, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
- Fine sea salt
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1kg desiree potatoes (or other waxy variety), cut into 2½cm wedges
- 2 tsp dried oregano, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 2 x 400g tins of finely chopped tomatoes
- 150g feta cheese
- 75g Greek yoghurt
- 1 lemon, finely zested, plus 1 tbsp of juice
- 80g pitted kalamata olives
Directions
Step One
Pour five tablespoons of olive oil in a wide, deep-sided pan that has a fitting lid. Set it over a fairly high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the sliced red onion and a teaspoon of salt. Fry, giving it an occasional stir, for about 10 minutes, until the onion is yielding enough to yield to a wooden spoon.
Adding the Potatoes
Add the minced garlic and cook for about two minutes more, while stirring. Then, add the potato wedges and oregano, tossing until they are nicely glossed in the oil. Spoon in the tomato puree and cook for one minute. Tip in the chopped tomatoes along with 400ml of water. Increase the heat until it boils, then put the lid on, turn down the heat to a steady bubble, and leave to cook for 20 minutes.
Preparing the Topping
Meanwhile, make the whipped feta. In a food processor, blitz the feta, Greek yoghurt, lemon zest and juice, three tablespoons of olive oil, and a big pinch or two of salt until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step Four
Fold the pitted kalamata olives into the simmering pot. Continue to simmer uncovered for a further 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife and the sauce has become beautifully cohesive.
Plating Up
Spoon the steaming yahni into shallow bowls. Finish each with a generous spoonful of the whipped feta and a light sprinkling of dried oregano.
This dish is a tribute to the beauty of few components turned into something special by time and care. Enjoy!
