Fan-Shaped Potatoes in a Bag (with Smoked Pork Neck and Cheese)
Sometimes I want to do something special with potatoes, and the other day, when it was really hot and I didn't want to spend too much time in the kitchen, I tried this fan-shaped potato recipe. The idea is simple, and the preparation is not complicated at all. I’ve seen this version in various places, but I hadn’t tried it at home until now. The combination of potatoes, smoked pork neck, and cheese is quite practical.
Quick Info
Total time: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 3
Difficulty: easy to medium
Recipe type: main dish, lunch or dinner
Ingredients
3 red potatoes (about 850 g in total)
230 g smoked pork neck
approximately 200 g cheese
potato seasoning (use what you have on hand – salt, pepper, paprika)
a little olive oil
Instructions
1. Peel the potatoes. Wash them well.
2. Cut each potato lengthwise, making slits without separating the slices completely. Basically, they should stay connected at the base. Slice them as thinly as you can, but don’t cut all the way through.
3. Sprinkle the seasonings over the potatoes on all sides. Salt and pepper are sufficient, but you can add paprika if you like.
4. Slice the smoked pork neck thinly. Do the same with the cheese.
5. Take each potato and stuff each slit alternately: one slice of pork, one slice of cheese, as much as fits.
6. Drizzle the potatoes with a little olive oil on top.
7. Place the prepared potatoes in a baking bag.
8. Puncture the bag in several places with a toothpick or small knife.
9. Put the bag in a baking tray and place it in the oven at 180-200°C for about 1 hour and a half.
10. After an hour, cut the bag open at the top to allow the potatoes to brown for the last 30 minutes.
11. Remove the potatoes onto a plate. Grate cheese on top while they are still hot.
Why I Make This Recipe Often
It’s not a recipe I make every week, but when I want something filling and don’t feel like dealing with complicated recipes, this version saves me from headaches. Plus, I can use pretty much anything I have in the fridge as filling.
Tips and Variations
Tips
- It’s important not to cut the potatoes all the way through; otherwise, you won’t be able to add the filling.
- If you have potatoes of different sizes, try to adjust them so that they all cook at the same time.
- The baking bag traps all the juices and flavors; without it, the potatoes tend to dry out.
Substitutions
- The smoked pork neck can be replaced with another smoked meat (for example, bacon).
- If you don’t have cheese, mozzarella or another melting cheese will work.
- For a meatless version, you can just use cheese, but the flavor will be quite different.
Variations
- You can try adding thin slices of onion or bell pepper between the slits.
- The seasonings can be adapted to your taste: rosemary, garlic powder, hot paprika.
- The potatoes can be cut even thinner for a crunchier texture on the edges.
Serving Ideas
- They pair well with a green salad or something tangy, like pickles.
- You can serve the potatoes as a side dish with grilled meat, although they are quite filling on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use white potatoes instead of red ones?
Yes, but red potatoes hold their shape better after baking. If you use white ones, be careful not to let them crumble.
2. I don’t have a baking bag. Can I use foil?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil, but you’ll need to open it at the end for browning, and the flavors won’t concentrate as well.
3. Can I make the recipe without cheese?
You can skip the cheese, but the texture and flavor will be simpler. You might want to add more meat or a cheese you like.
4. Do the potatoes need to be boiled beforehand?
No, they are placed raw, just peeled and slit. They cook sufficiently in the oven.
5. What else can I serve besides salad?
They also go well with pickles, sour cream, or even a spoonful of yogurt on top.
Nutritional Values
Estimated per serving:
Calories: 550-600 kcal
Protein: 30 g
Fat: 30-35 g
Carbohydrates: 45-50 g
Values are approximate and may vary depending on the thickness of the slices or type of cheese.
Storage and Reheating
Fan-shaped potatoes are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two days. Reheating can be done in the oven or microwave, but the texture won’t be the same as when freshly made. If reheating in the oven, cover them with foil to prevent them from drying out too much.
Sometimes I want to do something special with potatoes, and the other day, when it was really hot and I didn't want to spend too much time in the kitchen, I tried this fan-shaped potato recipe. The idea is simple, and the preparation is not complicated at all. I’ve seen this version in various places, but I hadn’t tried it at home until now. The combination of potatoes, smoked pork neck, and cheese is quite practical.
Quick Info
Total time: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 3
Difficulty: easy to medium
Recipe type: main dish, lunch or dinner
Ingredients
3 red potatoes (about 850 g in total)
230 g smoked pork neck
approximately 200 g cheese
potato seasoning (use what you have on hand – salt, pepper, paprika)
a little olive oil
Instructions
1. Peel the potatoes. Wash them well.
2. Cut each potato lengthwise, making slits without separating the slices completely. Basically, they should stay connected at the base. Slice them as thinly as you can, but don’t cut all the way through.
3. Sprinkle the seasonings over the potatoes on all sides. Salt and pepper are sufficient, but you can add paprika if you like.
4. Slice the smoked pork neck thinly. Do the same with the cheese.
5. Take each potato and stuff each slit alternately: one slice of pork, one slice of cheese, as much as fits.
6. Drizzle the potatoes with a little olive oil on top.
7. Place the prepared potatoes in a baking bag.
8. Puncture the bag in several places with a toothpick or small knife.
9. Put the bag in a baking tray and place it in the oven at 180-200°C for about 1 hour and a half.
10. After an hour, cut the bag open at the top to allow the potatoes to brown for the last 30 minutes.
11. Remove the potatoes onto a plate. Grate cheese on top while they are still hot.
Why I Make This Recipe Often
It’s not a recipe I make every week, but when I want something filling and don’t feel like dealing with complicated recipes, this version saves me from headaches. Plus, I can use pretty much anything I have in the fridge as filling.
Tips and Variations
Tips
- It’s important not to cut the potatoes all the way through; otherwise, you won’t be able to add the filling.
- If you have potatoes of different sizes, try to adjust them so that they all cook at the same time.
- The baking bag traps all the juices and flavors; without it, the potatoes tend to dry out.
Substitutions
- The smoked pork neck can be replaced with another smoked meat (for example, bacon).
- If you don’t have cheese, mozzarella or another melting cheese will work.
- For a meatless version, you can just use cheese, but the flavor will be quite different.
Variations
- You can try adding thin slices of onion or bell pepper between the slits.
- The seasonings can be adapted to your taste: rosemary, garlic powder, hot paprika.
- The potatoes can be cut even thinner for a crunchier texture on the edges.
Serving Ideas
- They pair well with a green salad or something tangy, like pickles.
- You can serve the potatoes as a side dish with grilled meat, although they are quite filling on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use white potatoes instead of red ones?
Yes, but red potatoes hold their shape better after baking. If you use white ones, be careful not to let them crumble.
2. I don’t have a baking bag. Can I use foil?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil, but you’ll need to open it at the end for browning, and the flavors won’t concentrate as well.
3. Can I make the recipe without cheese?
You can skip the cheese, but the texture and flavor will be simpler. You might want to add more meat or a cheese you like.
4. Do the potatoes need to be boiled beforehand?
No, they are placed raw, just peeled and slit. They cook sufficiently in the oven.
5. What else can I serve besides salad?
They also go well with pickles, sour cream, or even a spoonful of yogurt on top.
Nutritional Values
Estimated per serving:
Calories: 550-600 kcal
Protein: 30 g
Fat: 30-35 g
Carbohydrates: 45-50 g
Values are approximate and may vary depending on the thickness of the slices or type of cheese.
Storage and Reheating
Fan-shaped potatoes are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two days. Reheating can be done in the oven or microwave, but the texture won’t be the same as when freshly made. If reheating in the oven, cover them with foil to prevent them from drying out too much.