Bacon & garlic potato cakes w/ tomato-chive cream - bon a

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
Tomatoes, peeled, seeded
tablespoonMinced fresh chives
1cupSour cream
10largesGarlic cloves (unpeeled)
2tablespoonsOlive oil
¼poundsBacon, diced
1largeEgg
½cupAll purpose flour
1teaspoonSalt
½teaspoonGround pepper
poundsRusset potatoes, peeled, grated
¼cupShredded white cheddar cheese
½Head iceberg lettuce, shredded
Additional chopped fresh chives
Diced tomato

Directions

Puree 1½ tomatoes and chives in processor. Transfer to bowl; fold in sour cream. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover, chill.) Preheat oven to 350F. Place garlic in pan. Toss with oil. Bake until garlic is tender when pierced with knife, about 30 minutes. Cool.

Peel garlic; mince.

Cook bacon in heavy small skillet over medium-high heat until crisp.

Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels and drain.

Reserve bacon fat.

Beat egg to blend in bowl. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Fold in potatoes, cheese, garlic and bacon. Brush large nonstick skillet or griddle with bacon fat. Heat over medium heat. Drop ¼ cupfuls of mixture onto staet, spacing evenly. Flatten to 3 ½-inch-diameter rounds. Cook until golden on bottom, about 6 minutes. Turn; cook until golden on second side, about 5 minutes longer.

Divide lettuce among 4 plates. Top with potato cakes. Drizzle sauce over. Garnish with chives and diced tomato.

Bon Appetit/January/1994 Scanned & edited by Di Pahl & <gg>