Lithuanian potato pudding - Traditional kugelis with bacon

Name: Lithuanian potato pudding - Traditional kugelis with bacon
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 145 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: bacon: 1/2 pound (chopped); onions: 1 large (chopped); eggs: 5 large (beaten); milk: 1 1/4 cup; evaporated milk: 1 (7-ounce) can; kosher salt: 1 1/2 teaspoons; farina: 1/2 (not quick cooking); white or red potatoes: 5 pounds (peeled and grated)

2022-03-21 Recipe Author Worldrecipes.eu

Preparation

45 min

Cooking

100 min

Servings

8

This is a traditional recipe for Lithuanian savory potato pudding, perfectly known as kugelis or bulviu plokstainis (literally "flat potato"), produces a dense, heavy casserole that is considered one of the national dishes of Lithuania.

This potato pudding is commonly served with applesauce, lingonberry preserves, sour cream, or crumbled bacon bits and can be eaten as a main course or even as a side dish.

Ingredients

bacon: 1/2 pound (chopped)
onions: 1 large (chopped)
eggs: 5 large (beaten)
milk: 1 1/4 cup
evaporated milk: 1 (7-ounce) can
kosher salt: 1 1/2 teaspoons
farina: 1/2 (not quick cooking)
white or red potatoes: 5 pounds (peeled and grated)

Recipe Directions

1. Firstly, I transfered rack to middle of oven and pre-heated to 350 F. Coated a 13-by-9-inch pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
2. In a large skillet, sautéd bacon and onion until lightly browned and caramelized. Left in skillet and did not drain fat. Set pan aside to cool.

3. In a large bowl, combined eggs, milk, evaporated milk, salt, and farina. Added bacon-onion mixture and drippings. Stired until well combined.
4. Using a food processor or by hand, finely grated potatoes, squeezing out excess moisture. Worked quickly so potatoes would not get dark.
5. Added grated and squeezed potatoes to bacon-egg mixture, combining well.
6. Poured potato mixture into prepared pan and baked for 90 minutes or until top is quite brown and interior is solid, but still moist.
7. Removed pan from oven and allowed to sit for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.
8. You can serve it as a side dish or as a main course.
9. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. You can always enjoy leftover kugelis by heating portions in the microwave or browning them in butter. Enjoy!
10. Note: I found one more recipe on YouTube that our family really loved. Attached it for you as well, if you would like to try it.