Hasselback potatoes: Elevating the humble spud to star status
We often treat potatoes merely as a side dish. However, they can take centre stage and look incredibly impressive. This Swedish recipe has served me well on more than one occasion.
Hasselback potatoes are becoming increasingly popular, but the origin of this recipe is unknown. It is a traditional Swedish dish. The essence of the recipe is deeply sliced potatoes, which give them a distinctive appearance reminiscent of an accordion. The potatoes are then baked in the oven with various additions.
Swedish idea
In Sweden, they have discovered a way for potatoes to be delicious and visually appealing. Moreover, they are simple to prepare. This versatile dish can be quickly prepared for lunch or dinner. The crispy skin of the potatoes contrasts nicely with the soft interior. Their unique taste and aroma are achieved by baking at high heat, making them incredibly flavourful.
Fillings
Preparing this tempting dish is remarkably simple. It is important to select potatoes of similar size to ensure even baking. Peel or scrub them well, then slice them into thin segments without cutting them through. Add smoked bacon, onion, and garlic to fill the cuts in the potatoes. Cheese is also an excellent addition. After brushing with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper, place them on a baking tray and bake until golden.
Potatoes in Scandinavian style
Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes,
- 2 slices of smoked bacon,
- 1 onion,
- 2 cloves of garlic,
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil or oil,
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation method:
- Peel the potatoes or scrub them thoroughly and dry them.
- Then slice the potatoes into thin segments, but do not cut them through. The slices should remain connected at the top and bottom, creating an "accordion" shape.
- Cut the smoked bacon, onion, and garlic into thin slices.
- Insert these ingredients into the cuts in the potatoes.
- Brush the potatoes with oil or olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the hasselback potatoes in an ovenproof dish coated with a thin layer of fat.
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius and bake the potatoes for approximately 30-40 minutes.
- After the first 30 minutes, remove the cover and check with a fork if the potatoes are soft.
- Finally, bake the potatoes for another 5-10 minutes without the cover to brown them externally.
