Rösti with Bacon and Scallions
Pronunced Roosty
Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
Victoria Granof / Bon Appétit
Swiss version of Hash Browns. Good though! Pronounced Roostie.
- 4slices thick-cut smoked bacon (4 oz), chopped
- 6scallions, chopped, divided
- Olive oil
- 3TBS unsalted butter, melted
- 1½lb russet potatoes, peeled
- 1tsp smoked salt or kosher salt plus more
- ¾tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cook bacon in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until most of fat is rendered and bacon begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Set 1 TBS of dark-green part of scallions aside. Add remaining scallions to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp and scallions are soft, 4–5 minutes longer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon mixture to a paper towel-lined plate.
Pour bacon fat into a small bowl; reserve skillet. Add olive oil to the same bowl to measure 3 TBS. Add butter. Place 2 TBS fat mixture in skillet. Pour 2 TBS fat mixture into another bowl; add bacon mixture. Reserve remaining 2 TBS in small bowl.
Coarsely grate potatoes into a large bowl. Working in batches, squeeze potatoes with your hands or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to release liquid; transfer to another large bowl. Add the reserved bacon mixture, 1 TBS (seems like too much!) salt, and pepper; toss to evenly distribute.
Heat reserved skillet over medium-low heat. Scrape potato mixture into hot skillet, pressing with a spatula into an even layer. Tent with foil; cook for 10 minutes, rotating skillet frequently to avoid hot spots. Remove foil; cook rösti until bottom is golden brown, about 5 minutes longer. Run a silicone spatula around sides and underneath rösti. Invert a large plate over skillet. Using oven mitts, carefully flip rösti onto plate.
Heat remaining 2 TBS fat in skillet. Slide rösti back in, browned side up. Tent with foil; cook for 5 minutes. Uncover; cook until browned on bottom and potatoes are cooked through, about 10 minutes longer. Gently run spatula around sides and underneath rösti and slide onto a serving plate. Sprinkle with reserved scallions and season with more salt, if desired.