Cookbook:Kugelis (Lithuanian Baked Potato Pudding)

| Cuisine of Lithuania

Kugelis, also called bulvių plokštainis (literally "flat potato dish") or banda, is a Lithuanian baked potato pudding. Its main ingredients are potatoes, bacon, milk, onions, and eggs. It may be spiced with salt, black pepper, bay leaves, and/or marjoram. It is usually eaten with sour cream and/or crumbled fried fat white bacon (spirgai).

Ingredients

 * 5 lb potatoes, peeled and grated (or ground with a food processor)
 * 2 medium onions, grated
 * 1 lb bacon, fried and crumbled (reserve about ¼ cup drippings)
 * 1 stick (8 tbsp) butter, melted
 * 6 eggs
 * 1 large can evaporated milk
 * 4 tsp salt
 * Pepper to taste (about 1 tsp)

Procedure

 * 1) Combine the grated potatoes and onions.
 * 2) Fry and crumble bacon. Add to the potato mixture along with ¼ cup bacon fat. Mix well.
 * 3) Beat the eggs, and stir in the evaporated milk, melted butter, salt, and pepper.
 * 4) Mix the egg mixture into the potato mixture.
 * 5) Pour into a well-greased 9x13-inch cake pan—it should just barely fit.
 * 6) Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 90 minutes.
 * 7) Slice into squares, and top with sour cream or applesauce.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Leftovers are best reheated sliced thin and sautéed in melted butter. Kugelis also reheats well in the microwave and freezes well.
 * Do not drain the liquid from the potatoes and onions.