One of the favorite dishes of the local palate is the potato cake. With few ingredients and a few simple steps you can cook the gastronomic classic and enjoy it with the family. Although the preparation of this popular meal varies in each country or region, its origin dates back to the Anglo-Saxon Europe.
The so-called Cottage Pieis the rustic pie made with veal that has been very popular since the 17th century in England. This typical dish from the British Isles was the first to combine the preparation of minced meat, onion and garlic, with a large crust of mashed potatoes on top of the filling.
This recipe had its variants over time, such as shepherd’s pie made with lamb meat. The term Cottage refers to the rural population of the United Kingdom, which in the 18th century he prepared his food with the ingredients that they could farm or hunt. As the years passed, the dish gained a foothold in the lower and middle class of urban English cities.
Nowadays, famous personalities have contributed to improve the flavor and the recipe of this tasty dish. The founding member of The Rolling Stonesthe musician Keith Richardsstressed that he likes to cook the potato cake with a filling of lamb meat, soaked with red wine and the mashed potatoes combine it with squares of boiled carrots.
Another referent linked to cake, at the national level, is former president Juan Domingo Peron. The chef Hernan Gipponi, At the time, he stated “There are records that the only thing he ate in exile was that dish”, in reference to the creator of the Justicialista movement who was a refugee in Spain along with his wife. Isabel Peron. The keys to a potato pie with simple and inexpensive ingredients are easy to come by.
the mash
The purée must be seasoned with salt, pepper and nutmeg. In addition to milk and butter, it is recommended to add an egg to the mashed potatoes, at the moment the dough is stirred, to add a foamy and more yellowish effect.
the filler
Any stuffing vegetable can be a good companion to minced meat. Cooking onions, garlic, bell pepper and a splash of wine, preferably malbec or syrah, elevates the level and flavor of the food. A vegan variant to replace meat is eggplant.
The cheese
It is recommended to add to the filling a cheese topping, and then add the mashed potatoes. When the cheese comes out of the oven it will be melted and it accompanies the flavor of the dish very well. Many use mozzarella and other creamy styles, the Stones guitarist confessed that his favorite is Parmesan cheese.
cooking
It is suggested that the potato pie be cooked in an oven and that some crusts are generated on its outer layers during cooking. That visually gives a lot of personality to the preparation and places the dish at a gourmet level.
The creativity
It is often divisive what ingredients to add to potato pie, but creativity and balance in flavor are recommended. Being a meal with a certain family idiosyncrasy, it is suggested to encourage agreement on what ingredients to add to the dish: hard-boiled egg, olives or raisins. Agreeing on what components to add to the cake also promotes sharing the kitchen and its creation.
by RN
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