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Meat, South and mountains

Auvergne pounti with green salad

Pounti is a savory Auvergne cake made with chard, smoked bacon and prunes, served with a green salad. For 4 people, it takes 1h25 including 50 minutes of baking, rated easy, at €2.40 per serving. The key to success is draining the chard well and tucking the prunes right into the batter for that signature sweet and savory contrast.

Today I'm taking you to the Auvergne with a pounti, this savory cake with chard, bacon and prunes that always surprises the table.

Auvergne pounti with green salad
Total time
1 h 25
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Pounti is one of those dishes that confuses people at first bite and wins them over by the second. The soft chard and smoked bacon batter hides tender prunes, and that sweet and savory combination makes a savory cake unlike anything else. Served warm with a well dressed green salad, it finds its balance right away.

It's a weeknight recipe that breaks the routine, but it also works well for guests without keeping you in the kitchen all evening. Kids who usually eye chard with suspicion tend to come around once they see the cake like shape and the bits of prune. Sliced and served cold the next day, it also makes a hearty packed lunch.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Swiss chard 400 g
  • Onion 1
  • Parsley 1 sprig
  • Green salad 1

Butcher

  • Smoked bacon, diced 200 g

Pantry

  • Pitted prunes 8
  • Flouroften in the pantry 150 g
  • Vinaigretteoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Eggs 4
  • Milk 40 cl
  • Butter 20 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Wash the chard, shred it and cook it down in a skillet with the chopped onion until tender. 10 min

    Press it in a strainer to remove the water, otherwise the batter will be too wet.

  2. Cook the bacon without added fat until golden.

    It melts in its own fat, no need to add anything.

  3. Whisk the eggs with the flour, milk, salt and pepper, then stir in the chard, bacon and chopped parsley.

    Pour the milk in gradually to avoid lumps.

  4. Pour the batter into a buttered pan, push the prunes into it and bake at 180°C. 50 min

    Insert a knife blade, it should come out dry.

  5. Let it cool slightly, unmold and serve with the green salad dressed in vinaigrette.

    Pounti slices more neatly warm than piping hot.

Our tips to get it right

  • Really wring out the chard after cooking, in a strainer or with your hands, because extra water keeps the batter from setting properly.
  • Use a loaf pan rather than a round one, the slices hold together better and the cake bakes more evenly.
  • If the top browns too fast in the oven, cover the pan with foil for the last few minutes of baking.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked bacon for fresh pork belly lardons for a milder, less smoky flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and add sliced mushrooms cooked with the onion, the result stays satisfying.
  • For kids, cut the prunes into small pieces instead of leaving them whole, so they spread more evenly through each slice.

What to serve it with

  • The green salad already included in the recipe
  • A glass of light red wine
  • A light vegetable soup to start

Storage

Pounti keeps for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, and it's actually even better cold or warm the next day. It freezes well too, sliced, for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm the slices in the oven or a skillet rather than the microwave, the texture holds up much better.

Questions about this dish

Can you make pounti ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually recommended, since it slices more neatly once fully cooled. Make it the day before and reheat gently, or serve it cold as a starter or for a picnic.

Can you use spinach instead of chard?

Yes, spinach works well in place of chard, but it releases more water, so drain it even more thoroughly. The flavor will be a bit milder and less earthy than the original.

Why are there prunes in a savory dish?

That's the signature touch of Auvergne pounti, the prunes add sweetness that contrasts with the smoked bacon and chard. Without them, the dish loses its character and becomes a plain savory cake.

How do you know when pounti is done?

Insert a knife blade into the center of the pan, it should come out dry with no batter stuck to it. If it's still wet, bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.

How long does it take to make an Auvergne pounti with a green salad?

Count 1 h 25 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in an Auvergne pounti with a green salad?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an Auvergne pounti with a green salad cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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