Francúzske Zemiaky (Slovak French Potato Casserole)
Francúzske Zemiaky is a hearty and comforting Slovak casserole that transforms a simple side dish into a satisfying one-pan meal. It features layers of thinly sliced potatoes, sausage (klobása), and hard-boiled eggs baked in a creamy custard of eggs and cream, often topped with cheese. This dish is a testament to Slovak cuisine's focus on sustaining, energy-rich food.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and thinly sliced)
- 5 large Eggs(hard-boiled and sliced)
- 2-3 links Klobása (Slovak sausage)(sliced)
- 375 ml Whipping cream(or sour cream)
- 3 large Eggs(raw)
- 100 g Cheese(grated, for topping (e.g., Eidam or Parenica))
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- 2
Arrange a layer of thinly sliced potatoes in the prepared pan. Season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Add a layer of sliced hard-boiled eggs, followed by a layer of sliced klobása.
- 4
Repeat the layering process (potatoes, salt, pepper, eggs, klobása) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of potatoes.
- 5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the raw eggs and whipping cream (or sour cream) with ½ tsp salt. Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole.
- 6
Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top.
- 7
Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the potatoes in the middle are tender when pierced with a fork. Some variations suggest boiling the potatoes briefly before slicing for a shorter baking time.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a quicker cooking time, you can par-boil the potato slices before layering them in the casserole.
- ✓Feel free to add other ingredients like sliced pickles or onions between the layers for added flavor.
- ✓If klobása is unavailable, any good quality smoked sausage can be used as a substitute.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a layer of sliced pickles.
- A pinch of paprika can be added to the cream mixture for color and flavor.
- Using sour cream instead of whipping cream will result in a tangier casserole.