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Meat, European

Brændende kærlighed, Danish mashed potatoes with bacon and onions

Brændende kærlighed is a buttery Danish mashed potato dish topped with crispy bacon and caramelized onions, served with beets and pickles. It serves 4, takes 45 minutes, is very easy to make, and costs €2.30 per person. The key is letting the onions caramelize slowly in the bacon fat.

Tonight, a Danish dish with a romantic name, brændende kærlighed, or burning love, buttery mashed potatoes topped with golden bacon and soft caramelized onions.

Brændende kærlighed, Danish mashed potatoes with bacon and onions
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Behind its name, which means burning love, this Danish dish is wonderfully simple, a creamy mash topped with crispy bacon and soft onions turned sweet by caramelization. The contrast between the buttery mash, the crunchy bacon and the tangy pickles is what makes this plate so satisfying.

It's a great weeknight dinner, quick to put together, and a hit with kids thanks to the generous mash and comforting flavors. The beets add color and a fresh bite that balances the richness of the bacon, without adding any extra work.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1.2 kg
  • Onions 3
  • Cooked beets 4
  • Parsley 4 sprigs

Butcher

  • Smoked bacon lardons 250 g

Dairy

  • Butter 80 g
  • Milk 20 cl

Pantry

  • Picklesoften in the pantry 4
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and boil them in salted water. 20 min

    Cut them into even pieces for a more even cook.

  2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a dry pan until golden. 8 min

    Don't stir too much, it needs to color and turn crispy.

  3. Remove the bacon, then cook the sliced onions in the leftover fat until caramelized. 15 min

    Lower the heat, onions cooked too fast burn before they soften.

  4. Mash the potatoes with the butter and warm milk, then season with salt and pepper.

    A firmer mash holds up better under the topping.

  5. Mound the mash on plates and top with the bacon and onions, with the beets and pickles on the side.

    Pour the bacon fat over the mash, it adds flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Dry the potatoes well after boiling before mashing them, a watery mash turns gluey.
  • Save a spoonful of bacon fat to drizzle over the mash right before serving.
  • Slice the onions thin and even, they caramelize faster and more evenly that way.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked bacon for plain bacon if you prefer a milder flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the bacon with sliced mushrooms cooked until golden brown.
  • To save time, use instant mashed potato flakes and focus your effort on the topping, which is really the heart of the dish.

What to serve it with

  • A sharply dressed green salad
  • Dark rye bread
  • A Danish style lager

Storage

The mash and the topping keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally stored separately. Reheat the mash gently with a splash of milk, and crisp the bacon and onions back up in a pan. Freezing isn't recommended, the mash texture wouldn't hold up well.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the mash ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead and reheat it gently with a splash of milk. Cook the bacon and onions separately so they stay crisp when you add them later.

What kind of beets should you use?

Plain cooked beets, either vacuum packed or home cooked, work best here. Skip pickled beets, their sharpness overwhelms the dish.

Can you use cream instead of milk?

Yes, cream makes the mash richer and silkier. Cut back slightly on the butter so the dish doesn't feel too heavy.

Is this dish good for kids?

Yes, buttery mashed potatoes with crispy bacon are usually an easy win with kids. You can serve the beets and pickles on the side for picky eaters.

How long does it take to make a brændende kærlighed, Danish mashed potatoes with bacon, caramelized onions and beets?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a brændende kærlighed, Danish mashed potatoes with bacon, caramelized onions and beets?

About 510 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 a brændende kærlighed, Danish mashed potatoes with bacon, caramelized onions and beets cost?

About €2.30 per serving, or €9.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

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

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