Home   What's On   Article

Subscribe Now

Jenny Jefferies shares her ‘Breakfast potatoes’ recipe




Jenny Jefferies shares another delicious recipe with us.

In the words of Douglas Adams “it is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.” But we can certainly try.

I love potatoes so much; the versatility, taste, variation, flavour, provenance… the potato is everything to me.

Jenny Jeffries
Jenny Jeffries

From Vodka to dauphinoise, croquettes to crisps, bangers to hasselbacks, roasted to fries, the potato is embraced within every culture and corner of the world.

One of my favourite paintings is The Potato Eaters (1885) which was Vincent Van Gogh’s first masterpiece.

His portrayal of a family sitting around a table sharing a simple meal of potatoes has become one of the most iconic artworks in history.

“These folk, who are eating their potatoes by the light of their little lamp, have tilled the earth themselves with these hands they are putting in the dish, and so it speaks of manual labour and – that they have thus honestly earned their food,” he wrote.

I really admire the observation, clarity and humble respect for both the potatoes and the people.

Potatoes are the world’s fourth largest food crop and there are now over 5,000 different varieties. The ‘earth apple’, as it’s fondly interpreted in different German dialects, is often a symbol of eternal and non-superficial love.

Jenny Jeffries' Breakfast potatoes
Jenny Jeffries' Breakfast potatoes

So, whether you buy your nearest and dearest a dozen red roses or a bag of Maris Pipers to express your love, be sure to choose simply and fondly.

‘Breakfast potatoes’ by Chris Dustow at Colwith Farm as featured in For the Love of the Land II by Jenny Jefferies

“Potatoes can be eaten at any meal, but they make a great breakfast to set you off right for the day. This tasty dish is great as a side with British sausages and hearty enough to eat on its own too,” says Chris Dustow.

PREPARATION TIME: 10 MINUTES | COOKING TIME: 25 MINUTES | SERVES 4

Ingredients:

1kg Maris Pipers (or other floury potatoes)

1.5 litres chicken stock

1 tsp fine salt

6 rashers of bacon, finely diced

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 clove of garlic, finely diced

120ml vegetable oil

Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

1 tbsp fresh finely chopped parsley

Method:

Peel the potatoes, then dice them into bite-size (approximately 2cm) cubes. Place the potatoes in a large pan and pour in the chicken stock, which should be enough to comfortably cover them.

Add the fine salt, then bring to the boil and cook until just about tender when tested with a knife. It’s important not to overcook them at this stage.

Drain the potatoes (but don’t rinse them) and then leave in the colander to steam dry, preferably until they stop steaming completely, but a minimum of 5 minutes will work.

Shake the colander to roughen up the edges on the potatoes. In a large frying pan on a medium heat, fry the diced bacon until it begins to get crisp.

Add the diced onion and continue frying until it starts to soften and lightly brown. Stir in the garlic and fry for 1-2 more minutes, then transfer the bacon mixture to a bowl.

Pour the vegetable oil into the same pan you used to cook the bacon and place on a high heat. When the oil is nice and hot, carefully add the potatoes.

Fry while tossing somewhat frequently until they are a deep golden colour and crispy on the outside. This can take 15 minutes or more.

When the potatoes are ready, discard the excess oil, then add the bacon mixture back to the pan and stir gently until heated through. Season to taste with sea salt, black pepper and fresh parsley then serve up and enjoy!

Jenny Jeffries' book 'For the Love of the Land II'
Jenny Jeffries' book 'For the Love of the Land II'

See Jenny’s other recipes here. Jenny Jefferies is the author of the For the Love of the Land and For the Love of the Sea series, and Islands in a Common Sea: Stories of Farming, Fishing and Food Around The World. A Love British Food Ambassador, Jenny is married to a farmer and lives in South Cambridgeshire. Follow her on Instagram at @jennyljefferies.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More