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Potato and Leek Bake with Beef Bacon Crumble – Simply Delicious!

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This comforting Potato and Leek Bake combines creamy potatoes and sweet leeks with savory beef bacon for a delightful dish. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, it’s a recipe that brings warmth and nostalgia to your table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes (such as Yukon Gold or Maris Piper), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 medium leeks, cleaned and sliced (only white and light green parts)
  • 200 ml (approx. ¾ cup) heavy cream (double cream)
  • 200 ml (approx. ¾ cup) whole milk
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 50 g (approx. ½ cup) grated Gruyère cheese (optional for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing the dish
  • 150 g (approx. 5 oz) beef bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 100 g (1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs
  • 50 g (approx. ½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). This takes about 10 minutes and is important for even cooking.
  2. Grease a large baking dish with unsalted butter. This prevents the dish from sticking and helps create a nice crust.
  3. Peel and slice the potatoes into thin slices (about 3 mm thick). You can use a mandoline for even slices that cook uniformly.
  4. Clean the leeks and slice them into fine rings. Make sure to wash the leeks thoroughly as sand often hides between the layers.
  5. In a large bowl, mix the potato slices, leeks, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper well. This should take about 5 minutes.
  6. In a separate container, combine the heavy cream and whole milk. This mixture will be poured evenly over the potato-leek mixture to coat it.
  7. Pour the potato-leek mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the optional Gruyère cheese evenly on top. This gives the dish a delicious golden crust.
  8. For the bacon crumble: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the beef bacon pieces and fry for about 5-7 minutes until crispy.
  9. Reduce the heat and add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan to the pan. Stir well and fry the mixture for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Spread the bacon crumble evenly over the potato-leek mixture in the baking dish.
  11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the dish for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are soft (you can test with a fork).
  12. After baking, let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to portion.

Nutrition

Keywords: Avoid cutting the potatoes too thickly, as they will not cook evenly. Thin slices ensure a tender texture. You can experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or feta for additional flavor variations.

Find it online: https://cinnamonbelle.com/kartoffel-lauch-auflauf-mit-rindfleisch-bacon-einfach-lecker/