Brændende Kærlighed (Danish Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Onions)
Local name: Brændende kærlighed
In short: Buttery mashed potatoes topped with crisp bacon and slowly fried onions, served with pickled beets, a Danish comfort dish with a romantic name. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 690 kcal
Brændende kærlighed, literally burning love, is one of Denmark's most comforting everyday dishes. A mound of buttery mashed potatoes is crowned with crisp bacon and slowly fried onions, the hot bacon fat is spooned over the top, and sweet and sour pickled beets go on the side. It is cheap, filling and made with a handful of pantry ingredients.
Instructions
- Put the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold water, add the 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender.
- Meanwhile, fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp. Lift it out with a slotted spoon and pour off all but 3 tbsp of the fat.
- Cook the onions in the bacon fat over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until soft and golden brown.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the hot pot for 1 minute to steam dry. Mash with the butter, then beat in the warm milk until smooth. Season with the 1/2 tsp salt, white pepper and nutmeg.
- Spoon the mash into warm shallow bowls. Top with the bacon and onions, spoon the hot pan fat over and scatter with parsley. Serve with the pickled beets.
Tips
- Let the drained potatoes steam dry in the hot pot for a minute. Less water means a fluffier mash that takes up more butter and milk.
- Cook the onions slowly. They should be soft and deeply golden, not crisp and dark at the edges, because their sweetness balances the salty bacon.
Questions and answers
Why is it called brændende kærlighed?
The name means burning love, and its exact origin is unclear. What is clear is the appeal: warm, buttery potatoes with salty bacon and sweet onions.
What do you serve with it?
Sliced pickled red beets are traditional, and their sharp sweetness cuts the richness. A cucumber salad or pickled cucumber is another common side.
Can I use leftover mash?
Yes. Warm it with a splash of milk and a little butter, then top it with freshly fried bacon and onions.
How long does it take to make Brændende Kærlighed (Danish Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Onions)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Brændende Kærlighed (Danish Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Onions)?
About 690 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 38 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 690 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
