Rösti (Swiss Fried Potatoes)

Growing up in a large family,

potatoes were a staple in our diet.

Mom and Dad grew huge patches

of spuds 

and kept them all winter long in the 

root cellar.

Some time ago we ate at a Swiss Restaurant

and they served a huge platter of Rösti.

I wasn't surprised that this reminded me of

my Swiss Mennonite roots and

how "fried potatoes" regularly

appeared on the family supper table at home.

Mother simply fried the, left-over from a previous meal,

cooked potatoes with a bit of salt and pepper and sometimes

some diced onion.

And, of course, this was fried with lard as was almost

everything in those days!

The well seasoned cast iron frying pan was the utensil of choice for

making this "stir fry" version!

The Rösti is basically the same thing except that

the potato/onion (and sometimes bits of bacon) are 

pressed into a "cake" and cooked in a hot buttered frying pan for approx.

10 minutes on each side until crispy brown and 

served in wedges.

I made this to go with our fried eggs and sausage for breakfast

this morning.

I need a bit more practice to keep the potatoes pressed into a 

round disc but they were very tasty!

Of course, a cast iron frying pan and some lard might have

made them turn out a bit better?

I love rediscovering simple hearty recipes that remind me of home. 

A recipe I found on-line:

6 Potatoes - cooked till tender and peeled

1 onion - finely chopped

4 sliced Bacon - finely chopped (optional)

1/4 Cup butter or lard

Salt and Pepper to taste

Grate potatoes coarsely, add onions and bacon.  Heat fat in skillet, add potato mixture and lightly pat mixture into a round cake with spatula.

Fry over low heat until underside is crusty and well browned.  Flip over and fry gently until second side is also crusty (about 10 min. on each side).  Turn out onto a heated platter, cut into wedges and serve.  Simple as that!

Next I would like to try the "Spanish" version of a hearty potato dish called Spanish Tortilla. 

What are some of your favourite international versions/experiences of traditional potato dishes?

Till next time..... cookin' up some spuds!