Polish Potato Cake {Babka Ziemniaczana}

Anna

7 years ago

Polish Potato Babka {Babka Ziemniaczana}

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Polish Potato Cake {Babka Ziemniaczana}

Babka ziemniaczana [bahb-kah ziyem-nya-chah-nah], also knows as kartoflak [car-tof-lack] is a savory baked dish made of grated potatoes, spiked with golden pieces of smoked bacon and sautéed onion. With the addition of a few spices and herbs this side dish is a perfect (and affordable) way to bring a delicious variety to the usual meat-and-potato kind of dinner.

I have to say, Poles are very smart with their ingredients. Potato is a star of many dishes and often acts as the main ingredient. Pierogi ruskie, kopytka, kluski śląskie are just a few examples. This cheap root vegetable is grown and harvested all of the country and remains as one the preferred starches in our diet, winning the popularity contest against rice or pasta.

Serve it with a favorite protein, like karkówka or zrazy zawijane, or try it with a simple mushroom sauce, or a creamy fried cabbage. It also does well sautéed in butter or grilled. Just place thick slices on a well greased pan or a grill and brown lightly on each side.

Polish Potato Cake {Babka Ziemniaczana}

Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 70-90 minutes

Ingredients

2.5 lbs / 1 kg of raw potatoes
2 medium onions, chopped
6 oz / 200 g of lean, smoked bacon
1-2 tsp of fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
2 eggs
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
⅓ c / 40 g of all-purpose flour

Instructions

Peel and dice potatoes. Keep submerged in cold water until ready to blend.
Dice onion and bacon. Sauté bacon on medium heat for about 5 minutes, until some of the fat melts. Add onion and sauté together until golden brown. Set aside. Chop the herbs.
Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
Grease a 9 x 5 inch / 23 x 13 centimeter loaf pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
Place potatoes, eggs, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth (you can also use a hand grater to grate potatoes; use the smallest side of a box grater; add eggs and spices to mixture once grated).
When blended, place in a large mixing bowl, add herbs, flour, bacon, and onions, and hand mix until combined. Pour mixture into the loaf pan.
Bake for about 90 minutes, until the outside is golden brown and the middle is dry and set.
Serve sliced after baking or reheat by placing slices in butter and sautéing each side until golden brown.