Dish of the week: Jaleo’s chorizo casero

If you’re craving a spicy and robust dish to warm you up as the weather gets colder, the Chorizo Casero con Puré de Patatas al Aceite de Oliva ($9.50) at Jaleo is a must-try.

Jaleo, located in Penn Quarter at 480 Seventh St. NW, is the epitome of hip with its bright, neon sign and modern interior. Among the surrounding theaters and bustling streets, Jaleo stands out among the rest with its updated take on Spanish tapas.

The menu at Jaleo is vast and the options are seemingly endless. They offer everything from salty ibérico ham ($14) to fried chicken croquetas served in a sneaker ($10). But they’re most well known for their classic and savory paella (ranging from $40 to $55). Whether you’re a meat lover or a strict vegetarian, Jaleo will have something for even the pickiest of palates.

Jaleo’s chorizo stood out among all of their dishes for the use of spice within the dish, as well as the immaculate presentation.

The chorizo arrived at my table sliced into perfect rounds, similar to a typical sausage, and sat atop a mound of mashed potatoes. Jaleo uses aromatic spices like cayenne pepper, finely minced garlic and cumins seeds to give the chorizo fire. These spices leave the chorizo bursting with flavor and left me reaching for my water glass to give my tastebuds a short reprieve from this hot dish.

The pork sausage Jaleo uses to create the plate is succulent and every bite I took of this zesty dish was luscious.

The olive oil mashed potatoes were creamy and soaked up the juices of the chorizo, giving them more flavor than your typical mashed potatoes. But the flavor still wasn’t overwhelming and complemented the hot chorizo well, allowing it to take center stage.

The mashed potatoes and chorizo sat atop a fragrant cider sauce that added a slight bitter flavor to the dish, which worked well with the prominent sweet and spicy flavors.

By mixing a classic Spanish dish with an American favorite, Jaleo has created a one-of-a-kind dish that you won’t want to miss.