French fries

French fries - a comforting and flavorful dish

Total time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6

French fries are a classic of comfort food, a recipe that has gathered family stories and pleasant memories from festive meals around it. This dish is a delicious combination of potatoes, eggs, ham, and cheese, all carefully layered and baked until golden and crispy. It is a perfect dish for a family dinner or to impress someone special. Let's discover together how to prepare these French fries!

Ingredients:
- 6 medium potatoes (choose fondant potatoes that hold up well when boiled)
- 7 eggs (4 hard-boiled + 3 raw)
- 50 g ham or salami with ham (you can experiment with other types of meat)
- 100 g grated cheese (preferably a strong-flavored cheese like cheddar or emmental)
- Butter (for greasing the baking dish)
- 1 tablespoon of breadcrumbs (for a crispy layer)
- 3 tablespoons of sour cream (for added creaminess)
- Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Boiling the potatoes and eggs: Start by washing the potatoes well. You can leave the skin on, as it helps retain flavors. Place them in a pot with salted water and let them boil for about 20-25 minutes until they become soft but not overcooked. In another container, boil the 4 eggs for 10-12 minutes to hard-boil them. After boiling, let them cool under cold running water.

2. Preparing the ingredients: Once the potatoes and eggs have cooled, peel them. Slice the potatoes into rounds about 0.5 cm thick. The hard-boiled eggs are cut into cubes, and the ham or salami is diced. It is important to cut the ingredients evenly to ensure even baking.

3. Preparing the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a baking dish with butter, making sure it is evenly covered. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on the bottom of the dish to add a crispy layer and prevent sticking.

4. Assembling the dish: Place a layer of potatoes at the bottom of the dish, arranging the rounds next to each other. Follow with a layer of diced hard-boiled eggs, then add the diced ham and half of the grated cheese. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Continue with another layer of potato rounds and add the remaining cheese, seasoning again with salt and pepper.

5. Mixing the sour cream and raw eggs: In a bowl, beat the 3 raw eggs with 3 tablespoons of sour cream. Add a little salt and pepper, mixing well. This will add delicious creaminess to the dish.

6. Baking: Pour the egg and sour cream mixture evenly over the potatoes in the dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for about 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and let it bake for another 5-10 minutes until the potatoes become golden and browned on top.

7. Serving: After browning, take the dish out of the oven and let the dish cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm, with fresh sour cream on top. A fresh green salad on the side can perfectly complement this dish.

Useful tips:
- You can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- If you want a stronger flavor, try using blue cheese or goat cheese.
- This dish can easily be adapted to be served as an appetizer by cutting smaller portions.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use fried potatoes instead of boiled potatoes? It is recommended to use boiled potatoes to achieve the desired texture.
- How long can I keep French fries? Once cooled, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, and upon reheating, they can be just as delicious.

Nutritional benefits:
This dish provides a good source of carbohydrates from potatoes, protein from eggs and ham, as well as calcium from cheese. It is a hearty meal, ideal for providing energy throughout the day.

So here’s how you can prepare these delicious French fries, full of flavor and comfort. Whether you choose to serve them at a family meal or at a gathering with friends, this dish will surely be appreciated by everyone. Enjoy your meal!