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Meat, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Vosges style tofailles with green salad

Tofailles is a Vosges mountain dish of potatoes, smoky bacon and onions cooked low and covered in a pot. This recipe serves 4, takes 65 minutes, is very easy and costs about €2.00 per serving. The key to getting it right is cooking it covered over very low heat without stirring too often.

Vosges style tofailles, potatoes, bacon and onions slow cooked covered in a pot, a simple comforting dish.

Vosges style tofailles with green salad
Total time
1 h 05
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
620 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Tofailles is the kind of dish that doesn't need anything fancy to win you over. The potatoes slowly melt together with the bacon and onions, all cooked covered until almost creamy without a drop of cream involved. The result is mild, lightly smoky, with that particular texture potatoes get when they cook slowly in their own juices and the bacon fat.

It's a perfect weeknight dish for cold weather, needing little attention once the pot is covered. Kids tend to love it, and the green salad on the side brings just enough freshness to balance the richness of the dish. It also works well for a relaxed Sunday, since the pot does most of the work on its own.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1.2 kg
  • Onion 3
  • Parsley 5 sprigs
  • Green salad 1

Butcher

  • Smoked bacon lardons 250 g

Pantry

  • Vinaigretteoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 20 g

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin slices, slice the onions.

    Cut them all to the same thickness.

  2. Cook the bacon in a pot until lightly golden. 8 min

    No need for extra fat, the bacon renders its own.

  3. Add the onions and butter, then the potatoes and pepper, don't add salt.

    Stir a bit to coat the potatoes in the fat.

  4. Cover and cook over very low heat, stirring from time to time. 45 min

    If it starts to stick, add a small splash of water.

  5. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with the salad.

    A splash of vinegar in the salad balances out the richness.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a firm, waxy potato like Yukon Gold, it holds up better during the long cook instead of turning to mush.
  • Don't add salt at the start, the smoky bacon already brings enough, you can adjust at the end if needed.
  • Use a cast iron pot if you have one, it spreads the heat more gently and keeps things from sticking at the bottom.

The variations

  • Swap the smoky bacon for plain bacon for a milder flavor with less smokiness.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and stir in some grated cheese at the end to bring back richness and flavor.
  • For a faster version, slice the potatoes thinner, which cuts the covered cooking time down to about 30 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • Green salad with a splash of vinegar
  • Crusty bread for soaking up juices
  • A glass of dry white wine

Storage

Tofailles keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. It doesn't freeze particularly well since the potatoes change texture once thawed. Reheat gently in a skillet or pot over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to keep it from sticking.

Questions about this dish

Why shouldn't you lift the lid while it cooks?

Lifting the lid lets out the steam that cooks the potatoes gently. The dish can dry out and the potatoes won't soften as nicely. It's best to just take a quick peek now and then instead.

Can you make tofailles ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it a few hours ahead and reheat it gently over low heat before serving. The flavor actually improves a bit as it sits and the ingredients meld together.

Which potato works best for this dish?

A firm, waxy potato like Yukon Gold or red potatoes holds up well during the long cook without falling apart. Avoid starchy potatoes like russets, which tend to turn mushy.

Can you swap the bacon for something else?

You can use diced ham or chopped smoked pork belly instead of bacon. The result will be a bit less rich but still full of flavor.

How long does it take to make Vosges style tofailles with green salad?

Count 1 h 05 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in Vosges style tofailles with green salad?

About 620 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 Vosges style tofailles with green salad cost?

About €2.00 per serving, or €8.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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