When I was a child, it was a real treat if my mum made us fried potatoes for supper. She didn't prepare them very often, but when she did we were in seventh heaven!!
She always used leftover cold boiled potatoes, which she would peel, and then slice very thin. Next she would heat butter in her old
wearever aluminum skillet and add the potato slices, only adding as many as would fit into it at one time, in an even layer.
She'd stand there patiently turning them over and over in the butter, until they were gilded golden brown and crispy all over. Seasoned simply with some salt and pepper, there was no better taste on earth or in heaven!!
There were never enough. We could have eaten them until they came out of our ears. My poor mum. She really did stand and slave over a hot stove to make them for us. What a treasure she was and is!!
I still make fried potatoes from time to time, but I don't use leftover boiled potatoes now. I have found that if you cut them up and then cook them in a pan with a lid on for about 8 minutes or so, that is long enough to cook them through and then you can begin the business of browning them.
I don't pare them either, leaving the skins on for extra taste and fibre. I also probably don't use as much butter as she did either, my modern day healthy conscience not allowing me to indulge
that whim to it's fullest . . . They are still a rare treat, and they are still a deliciously scrummy treat. Once in a blue moon? Why not!!
Paired up with some deliciously lean Danish Bacon Chops they make a fabulous supper dish. A poached or fried egg goes fabulously with this as well, if you are feeling really indulgent.
Well . . . what are you waiting for??? Go ahead, you only live once!! (And you can take each other out for a long walk afterwards!)
*Bacon Chops and Fried Potatoes*
Serves 2
The amounts I am giving here are for two people, but can be very easily multiplied to serve more. It's a no brainer really.
2 danish bacon chops, cut about 1/2 inch thick
12 new potatoes, washed, thencut in half and then sliced into half moons
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 knob of butter and a splash of oil
salt and black pepper to taste (Go easy on the salt as bacon can be salty)
Prepare your vegetables. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat and add the butter and oil. Once the butter starts to foam, toss in the potatoes and onions, and stir to coat them with the butter/oil. Lower heat and then cover with a lid. Cook for about 8 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Remove lid and increase the heat, and cook, stirring until they begin to brown. Push the potatoes to the side and add the bacon chops. Cook them for about five minutes per side, until nicely browned and cooked through. Season the potatoes to taste with a pinch of salt and some black pepper. Divide amongst two heated plates and serve.
Note - an egg goes very well with this if you really want to go whole hogg!!
Look delicious dear Marie, look so tasty!:) huggs xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! Yummy pictures!
ReplyDeletesometimes the simplest of things can be the best, this is one of them. Simple cooking that makes you want to tuck in.
ReplyDeleteI still make my fried potatoes like your mom did. I think its important to have your potatoes chilled before frying.
ReplyDeleteI love your background!!! That was the look I was going for to redecorate my bathroom not too long ago. But then the shower curtain, which looked very much like this background only with a bit more green color in it... was sold out. Can't find it anywhere. So I had to change my decorating ideas! :(
ReplyDeleteBACON CHOPS! I've never heard of Bacon Chops. It sounds good! I really don't like Pork Chops too much and I hope they are NOT the same thing.
Ohhhhh now this would make a happy house!!!
ReplyDeletemary x
Lovely post! Will be making this tonight. But with English bacon........Danish welfare standards leave a lot to be desired (castration of piglets with no anasthetic for one thing), so their bacon leaves a nasty taste in my mouth.
ReplyDeleteI have never been able to find English Bacon Chops Emily, or I would certainly be using them instead.
ReplyDeleteOh really? No maybe they are out of fashion. I got mine from Abel and Cole. Should be easy from a butcher? Just avoid Danish at all costs! Thanks again for a great blog post :)
DeleteOur local butchers all seem to get them from Denmark, and of course there are none in the grocery stores at all. I do enjoy a bacon chop every now and then. I wish I could still afford to buy from Abel and Cole! Since losing my job a few years back we have had to really cut our food budget a lot!
ReplyDeleteAldi have them.
DeleteI will have to check that out Anonymous!
DeleteLooks grrrreatt
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty great John if I don't say so myself! Hope you will give it a go!
DeleteThis is the English kitchen, so why say to use Danish bacon chops? British chops are far better, especially if you can get some from a home cured pig
ReplyDeleteYes this is the English Kitchen. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where British Bacon chops are available, then kudos to you. I have never seen British Bacon Chops anywhere I have lived. Even my local butcher who carries English and Welsh meats does not carry English Bacon Chops. Its all Danish. If I could get British, I would certainly use them. I do try to promote the use of British products whenever and wherever I can.
DeleteIf only we could get British bacon, or Danish bacon here in Canada without paying an absolute fortune. I really miss the bacon we got in England. When we had a store there we also sold Danish bacon, very tasty.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Linda! There is no such thing as British or even Danish bacon where I live either. I really miss it. I did find at the SuperStore once, something by PC that was touted to be Yorkshire style bacon, but it didn't even come close to touching the real thing! xo
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