We make this frequently at home, because it is easy, and it is a top comfort food. For a vegetarian option, leave out the bacon.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.2 kg well-flavoured potatoes
- 200g diced smoked bacon, lardons or pancetta
- 1 onion, finely sliced (you can add garlic if you like)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper
- 1 reblochon cheese (a softish cows’ milk cheese)
- 2 tbsp creme fraiche or sour cream
- 1 glass of dry white wine (Apremont for preference: it has a fresh light taste)
METHOD:
- Preheat the oven to 200C
- Peel and chop the potatoes into smallish chunks. Boil them for ten minutes, drain and leave to cool
- Gently fry the onion in the oil, and add the bacon and garlic. Cook until the onion and bacon are beginning to brown slightly. Season with salt and pepper, and a grate of nutmeg
- Butter a gratin dish large enough to take all the ingredients. Slice half the cooked potatoes thickly, and make a layer over the bottom of the dish
- Add half the onion and bacon.
- Use the rest of the potatoes, sliced to make a second layer and top with onion and bacon.
- Pour over the glass of wine
- Spread the creme fraiche over the top, then halve the reblochon lengthwise, and put this cut-side down over the potatoes.
- Bake at 200C for 15 to 20 minutes, so the cheese has melted into the potatoes.