Get ready to discover a true gem for your home kitchen: Potato & Raclette Stacks with Crispy Bacon! These mini potato slices are a revelation—crispy on the outside, incredibly tender within, and loaded with gooey melted cheese and aromatic herbs. They’re perfect as an elevated side dish for any meat, or simply as a show-stopping appetizer for your next family gathering or party.
Ingredients:
(Makes about 9 servings)
- 6 medium potatoes (approx. 500g or 1.1 lbs)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Dried thyme (or your favorite dried herbs like rosemary or oregano)
- Raclette cheese, semi-hard (If you can’t find Raclette, use any good melting cheese like Gouda, Emmental, Gruyère, or Mozzarella)
- Thin slices of bacon or pancetta
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for that irresistible crispy crust!)
Preparation:
- Preheat & Prep Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Wash and peel the potatoes. The key to these stacks is thinness, so slice them into very thin rounds (about 2mm or 1/16 inch thick). A mandoline slicer is ideal for this, but a very sharp knife will also work.
- Season the Potatoes: Transfer the thinly sliced potatoes to a large bowl. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Toss everything well with your hands or a spoon to ensure all the potato slices are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Assemble the Stacks: Lightly grease a muffin tin with oil. In each muffin cup, start layering the potato slices, creating a neat stack. About halfway up the stack, add a small piece of Raclette (or your chosen melting cheese) and a thin slice of bacon, folded to fit. Continue layering the potato slices on top to form a tidy tower.
- Parmesan Finish: Sprinkle a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each potato stack. This will create a wonderfully golden and crispy crust during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the tops are beautifully golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve Hot! Carefully remove the potato stacks from the muffin tin. Serve them immediately while hot, perhaps alongside a fresh green salad or as a delightful side dish for roasted meats.
Your homemade Potato & Raclette Stacks with Crispy Bacon are ready to be devoured! Enjoy!
Tips for Success:
- No Muffin Tin? No Problem! If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can use small ceramic ramekins or simply assemble the stacks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Just ensure they’re compact enough to hold their shape.
- Vegetarian Option: For a delicious meat-free version, swap the bacon for sautéed mushrooms, roasted bell pepper strips, or even sun-dried tomatoes.
- Flavor Boost! Want an extra layer of flavor? Whisk a tiny bit of Dijon mustard or a pinch of smoked paprika into the olive oil before tossing it with the potatoes. It adds a wonderful aromatic note!
