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Frika (Potato and Cheese Hash) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 134 reviews

Frika is a traditional Slovenian potato and cheese hash that combines tender potatoes with flavorful pancetta and two types of Tolminc cheese, garnished with fresh herbs for a deliciously rustic and comforting dish perfect for brunch or a hearty snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 400 g (1 pound) potatoes

Fat

  • 50 g pancetta, cut into cubes OR 1 tbsp olive oil OR 1 tbsp lard

Cheeses

  • 160 g (5.6 oz) semi-hard cheese (Tolminc)
  • 50 g (1.8 oz) hard cheese (Tolminc)

Herbs

  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, lovage)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the potatoes: Peel and dice the potatoes into small, evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook thoroughly and evenly. Rinse to remove excess starch and pat dry.
  2. Cook the fat base: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the pancetta cubes and render until they are crisp and golden, releasing flavorful fat. If using olive oil or lard instead, heat it gently until hot but not smoking.
  3. Cook the potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the fat in the skillet. Stir to coat the potatoes well and cook over medium heat, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking, until the potatoes are tender and golden brown, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  4. Add cheese: Grate or finely chop the semi-hard and hard Tolminc cheeses. When the potatoes are nearly cooked through, sprinkle the cheeses evenly over the potatoes in the skillet. Allow the cheese to melt and integrate, gently stirring to combine with the potatoes and pancetta.
  5. Add fresh herbs and serve: Chop the fresh parsley, oregano, and lovage finely and stir into the potato and cheese mixture right before serving to impart fresh herbal flavors. Serve hot as a satisfying main or side dish.

Notes

  • Substitute pancetta with olive oil or lard for a vegetarian or different flavor variant.
  • Tolminc cheese can be replaced with other semi-hard cheeses like Gruyère or aged cheddar if unavailable.
  • Cooking times may vary depending on potato size and stove heat; test tenderness with a fork.
  • Fresh herbs are crucial for authentic flavor; dried herbs are not recommended.

Keywords: Frika, potato hash, Tolminc cheese, Slovenian recipe, pancetta, herb potato dish

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/frika-potato-and-cheese-hash-recipe/