Rösti is a simple, comforting dish that is emblematic of Swiss cuisine. This version, enriched with onions and bacon (or sausage), has long been one of my favourite recipes. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it goes perfectly with a green salad or meat dish.
TRADITIONAL METHOD
Preparation (traditional method)
1. Peel the cooled potatoes, then grate them coarsely or slice them very finely. Place in a large salad bowl.
2. Peel and chop the onion. Cut the bacon into lardons or the sausages into small cubes.
3. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the bacon (or sausages). Add the onion and brown it lightly with the meat.
4. Pour the contents of the pan into the bowl of potatoes and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Heat half the butter in a large frying pan, making sure to grease the edges. Add the potato mixture, press down lightly and allow the bottom to brown. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes over medium heat.
6. Turn the rösti over: butter a plate, place it on the pan, then turn both utensils over at the same time. The rösti will end up on the plate, golden side up.
7. Heat the remaining butter in the frying pan and slide in the rösti, with the uncooked side facing down. Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, until crispy.
8. Slide the rösti onto a serving dish and enjoy immediately with a green salad.
THERMOMIX® METHOD.
Cooking potatoes
Place 800 g of water in the bowl.
Add 1 kg potatoes peeled and cut into three pieces in the Varoma.
Lightly salt the potatoes.
Cook 25 min / Varoma / speed 2.
Leave to cool, then grate by hand (coarse grater or potato masher). Place in a salad bowl.
Onion
Add 1 onion cut in half in the bowl:
2 seconds / speed 5.
Scrape the sides.
Sausages or bacon bits
Add 140 g of chopped sausage (or bacon).
Bring back 6 min / 120°C / speed 1 / reverse direction, without the cup, to allow evaporation.
Pour the contents of the bowl into the salad bowl with the grated potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper, then gently mix by hand.
Heat half of 50 g butter in a large frying pan.
Add the mixture, press down lightly and cook. 20 minutes over medium heat, covered.
Turn the rösti onto a buttered dish.
Melt the rest of the butter in the pan and slide the rösti into it to cook the other side. 8–10 minutes, until crispy.
Serve immediately, ideally with a green salad.