Cavolo Nero, Patate, Pancetta & Uovo al Forno
Baked Tuscan Kale, Potatoes, Bacon & Egg
No, it's not Irish, even though it does just happen to be St. Patrick's Day... but then again- the ingredients could almost be considered Irish... except for the Tuscan kale of course- haha!
This easy-peasy supper was tasty and satisfying in the same way that "bubble and squeak" - it has the same basic flavors, I just prepared it a little differently...
Bubble and squeak is of course traditionally made from left overs- usually the greens and potatoes from an English Sunday lunch, fried up again in the evening with bacon and egg- or the morning after as breakfast... mmm! What a way to start the week!
But the fact of the matter is... it is already Tuesday! Haha! And I just happened to have this lovely Tuscan kale in the fridge... and I made things happen just the same!
My little improvised supper consisted of 3 small potatoes, 1 egg, 1 onion, 3 rashers of bacon and 9-10 leaves of Tuscan kale. Basically, you just want to have twice the amount of kale as you have potatoes- add some onion for sweetness, bacon for deliciousness and the egg just rounds things off wonderfully- it's as simple as that! Salt, pepper and a little nutmeg are the seasonings- all stuff that you have all got at home... so what are you waiting for?
Crispy bacon, lightly roasted potatoes and perfectly cooked egg to blend with the slight bitterness of the kale... balance as always is the secret! When you choose your ingredients well, there is no need to stress over making something delicious out of them!
Peel the potatoes, wash the kale thoroughly, chop both into bite-sized pieces, likewise the bacon, slice up the onion and you are ready to roll!
Boil the potatoes and kale together in well salted water for 15 minutes, then pour off the water and let them "steam-off" a little.
Add the sliced union and bacon, plenty of pepper and nutmeg and continue stirring and cooking together for around 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, the onion will be translucent and half-cooked... and the bacon will be looking a little pale and sorry for itself- but they will have infused the potatoes and kale with their flavor... and will soon benefit from a stay in the oven! They will be just fine!
Try to maneuver the bacon, onion and potatoes to the top surface before cracking your egg in the center- that way they will crisp up and get the most benefit from the heat in the oven.
Season again with a little salt, pepper and nutmeg, add a light drizzle of olive oil and pop your little meal into the oven, at 170°C for 15-20 minutes, until the egg white has set. The exact time will depend on your oven- and how well-done you like your eggs of course! But do be careful, as it is easy to overcook the yolk- which would be a shame! My tip is to be keeping an eye on things already after 10 minutes... just in case!
And this is the way that mine looked after... 17 minutes! Which just happens to be my lucky number!
Nothing totally exciting, it's true... but definitely a good, down-to earth and sensible meal- and that's good enough for me any day!
Baked Tuscan Kale, Potatoes, Bacon & Egg
No, it's not Irish, even though it does just happen to be St. Patrick's Day... but then again- the ingredients could almost be considered Irish... except for the Tuscan kale of course- haha!
This easy-peasy supper was tasty and satisfying in the same way that "bubble and squeak" - it has the same basic flavors, I just prepared it a little differently...
Bubble and squeak is of course traditionally made from left overs- usually the greens and potatoes from an English Sunday lunch, fried up again in the evening with bacon and egg- or the morning after as breakfast... mmm! What a way to start the week!
But the fact of the matter is... it is already Tuesday! Haha! And I just happened to have this lovely Tuscan kale in the fridge... and I made things happen just the same!
My little improvised supper consisted of 3 small potatoes, 1 egg, 1 onion, 3 rashers of bacon and 9-10 leaves of Tuscan kale. Basically, you just want to have twice the amount of kale as you have potatoes- add some onion for sweetness, bacon for deliciousness and the egg just rounds things off wonderfully- it's as simple as that! Salt, pepper and a little nutmeg are the seasonings- all stuff that you have all got at home... so what are you waiting for?
Crispy bacon, lightly roasted potatoes and perfectly cooked egg to blend with the slight bitterness of the kale... balance as always is the secret! When you choose your ingredients well, there is no need to stress over making something delicious out of them!
Peel the potatoes, wash the kale thoroughly, chop both into bite-sized pieces, likewise the bacon, slice up the onion and you are ready to roll!
Boil the potatoes and kale together in well salted water for 15 minutes, then pour off the water and let them "steam-off" a little.
Add the sliced union and bacon, plenty of pepper and nutmeg and continue stirring and cooking together for around 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, the onion will be translucent and half-cooked... and the bacon will be looking a little pale and sorry for itself- but they will have infused the potatoes and kale with their flavor... and will soon benefit from a stay in the oven! They will be just fine!
Try to maneuver the bacon, onion and potatoes to the top surface before cracking your egg in the center- that way they will crisp up and get the most benefit from the heat in the oven.
Season again with a little salt, pepper and nutmeg, add a light drizzle of olive oil and pop your little meal into the oven, at 170°C for 15-20 minutes, until the egg white has set. The exact time will depend on your oven- and how well-done you like your eggs of course! But do be careful, as it is easy to overcook the yolk- which would be a shame! My tip is to be keeping an eye on things already after 10 minutes... just in case!
And this is the way that mine looked after... 17 minutes! Which just happens to be my lucky number!
Nothing totally exciting, it's true... but definitely a good, down-to earth and sensible meal- and that's good enough for me any day!
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