Potato dish with pickled cucumbers

Potato dish with pickles - a simple and refreshing recipe, perfect for days when you want a hearty but quick lunch. This dish combines vegetable flavors with a hint of acidity from the pickles, all in a comforting and flavorful preparation.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 4

### Ingredients:

- 7-8 medium potatoes
- 2 onions
- 1 carrot
- 3-4 pickles
- 3-4 tablespoons of tomato paste or puree
- Oil (3-4 tablespoons)
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 bunch of celery or fresh parsley (for garnish)

### Instructions:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by peeling the potatoes, onion, and carrot. Make sure to choose firm potatoes that are not too soft, to withstand cooking. Cut the potatoes and carrot into cubes of about 1-2 cm, and slice the onion thinly. These sizes will help with even cooking.

2. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large pot, add the oil and heat it over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes, onion, and carrot. Sauté the vegetables for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes golden and the potatoes slightly change color. This step will enhance the flavors and create a delicious base for the dish.

3. Boiling: Once the vegetables are sautéed, add enough water to cover all the ingredients. Wait until the water starts to boil. At this point, slice the pickles thinly and add them to the pot. The pickles will add a pleasant contrast of acidity and flavor. Let everything simmer on low heat, covered, until the potatoes and carrot are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

4. Adding the tomato paste: After the vegetables are cooked, add the tomato paste or puree. These will provide a rich flavor to the dish. Continue to simmer the dish for another 5-10 minutes, so that the tomato paste blends harmoniously with the other ingredients.

5. Finishing the dish: Finally, season with salt to taste. Before serving, add chopped celery or parsley for an extra touch of freshness and a pop of color.

### Practical tips:

- Variations: You can also add other vegetables, such as extra carrots or frozen peas, to diversify the dish. Additionally, you can use fresh cucumbers if you don't have pickles on hand, but the taste will be different.
- Serving: This dish pairs excellently with a slice of fresh bread or polenta. You can also add a tablespoon of sour cream at serving for extra creaminess.
- For a more intense flavor: Try adding some spices, such as freshly ground black pepper or sweet paprika, to enhance the flavors.

So, enjoy this potato dish with pickles, a simple recipe but with a unique taste, perfect for enjoying with family!