Baked Potatoes

I usually don't make baked country-style potatoes when it's hot in the kitchen, but one evening I found a recipe from Irina that convinced me. I quickly adapted it with the ingredients I had in the fridge. The smell lingered in the house until the next day, and the potatoes disappeared quickly. The evening photos aren't the greatest, but the taste makes up for it.

Quick Info

Total time: about 1 hour
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: hearty side dish or simple main course

Ingredients

1 kg potatoes
1/2 white onion
100-150 g smoked pork belly (or bacon, if you can't find smoked pork belly)
Oil (for frying, 2-3 tablespoons)
100 g caciotta cheese (or cheese, telemea, or any cheese you have on hand)
Salt
Pepper

Preparation Method

1. Peel the potatoes. Wash them and cut them into evenly sized cubes. Place them in a pot, cover with cold water, and add salt. Boil the potatoes until they are almost done, about 10-12 minutes from the moment the water starts to boil. Don't let them fall apart.

2. While the potatoes are boiling, peel, wash, and finely chop the onion.

3. Cut the smoked pork belly into thin slices, then into strips.

4. Heat a little oil in a large pan. Sauté the onion together with the smoked pork belly over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the onion has softened and the pork belly starts to brown, turn off the heat.

5. When the potatoes are almost cooked, drain them well. Add them to the pan with the onion and pork belly. Gently mix to avoid mashing the potatoes, ensuring they are coated with the flavors from the pan.

6. Transfer everything to a heat-resistant dish (like glass or ceramic). Spread the potatoes in an even layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Place the dish in the oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius (without ventilation, if you have the option). Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until a light crust forms on top.

8. Five minutes before they are done, sprinkle grated cheese over the potatoes. Leave in the oven until the cheese melts and lightly browns.

9. Remove from the oven and serve while warm.

Why I Make This Recipe Often

It's quick, requires basic ingredients, and you don't have to spend much time at the stove. The potatoes remain tasty even after they cool down. It's the kind of recipe where you can adapt what you already have in the fridge without much hassle.

Tips and Variations

Tips

Don't boil the potatoes too long; they should be firm, or else they will break apart when mixing and baking.
Use a large pan when mixing the potatoes with the onion and pork belly. It's easier to avoid mashing them.
If you have the patience, you can leave them in the oven longer for a thicker crust.
Substitutions

Cheese: if you don't have caciotta, you can use cheese, telemea, or grated cheese. Salty cheeses work well, but a softer one adds creaminess.
The smoked pork belly can be replaced with bacon or even smoked ham, depending on what you have on hand.
Variations

You can add a clove of garlic to the pan if you like the flavor.
At the end, you can add some fresh herbs (parsley or green onions) for a pop of color and freshness.
For a crunchier texture, you can leave the potatoes in the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Serving Ideas

They can be served as a side dish alongside meat, but they are hearty enough to be a main course. They pair well with a simple seasonal salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use red or sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can use any type of potatoes. Red potatoes remain firmer, while sweet potatoes completely change the taste and texture.

2. What kind of dish is suitable for the oven?
A glass or ceramic dish works well. It's important that it's a bit deep so the potatoes can form a crust on top.

3. Can they be made without cheese?
Yes, but the layer of cheese adds to the texture and flavor. If you want to avoid dairy altogether, just skip that step.

4. How long can the potatoes stay in the oven without drying out?
Ideally, you shouldn't exceed 40 minutes at 200 degrees, or they may become too dry.

5. Can I add other vegetables?
Yes, you can add bell peppers or zucchini, but it won't be the classic recipe. The advice is not to overload with watery vegetables.

Nutritional Values

Approximately, for one serving (out of four):

Calories: 300-350 kcal
Protein: 10-12 g
Fat: 12-15 g
Carbohydrates: 40-45 g

Quantities may vary depending on how much cheese and pork belly you use. These are indicative values for a balanced meal.

Storage and Reheating

These potatoes can be stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to 2 days. When reheating, it's best to place them in the oven or microwave, but the texture won't be as crispy as when they were fresh. If you added a lot of cheese on top, they may stick together during storage, but the taste remains good. I wouldn't recommend keeping them for more than two days, as they lose their texture.

We peel the potatoes, wash them, cut them into cubes, and put them to boil in cold salted water. Separately, we peel the onion, wash it, and chop it finely. We cut the bacon into slices and then into thinner strips. In a pan, we put oil and sauté the onion together with the bacon. When the potatoes are almost cooked, we add them to the pan with the onion and mix. We transfer everything to a yena dish, add salt and pepper to taste, and put it in the preheated oven at 200 degrees until the potatoes are lightly browned on the surface. Towards the end, we sprinkle grated cheese on top and let it melt. Serve warm.

 Ingredients: 1 kg potatoes 1/2 white onion 100-150 g bacon oil for frying 100 g caciotta cheese (you can use cheese, telemea, or cheese) pepper salt

 Tags:  baked potatoes