Kugelis (Lithuanian Baked Potato Pudding)
In short: Finely grated potatoes baked with smoked bacon, onion and eggs into a golden, crusty pudding, served in squares with sour cream. It takes about 1 h 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h 20 min
- Total
- 1 h 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Kugelis is a Lithuanian cold-weather staple: a baked pudding of grated potato, bacon and onion with a deep golden crust and a soft, almost custardy center. Families eat it hot in thick squares, topped with sour cream or bacon sauce, and leftovers are good fried the next day. Potatoes are grated very finely, and the starch left in the bowl helps the pudding hold together. It is usually made with the starchy potatoes that Lithuania grows so well.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F) and butter a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) baking dish.
- Fry the bacon in a large skillet for 6 to 8 minutes, until crisp and the fat has rendered. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, until soft. Let it cool slightly.
- Finely grate the potatoes in a food processor. Drain them in a sieve over a bowl, pressing out the liquid. Let the liquid stand for a minute, pour off the water and keep the starch that settles.
- Mix the potatoes with the saved starch, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, marjoram and the bacon and onion with their fat.
- Pour the mixture into the dish and smooth the top. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until the top is deep golden and the center is set.
- Rest for 10 minutes, cut into squares and serve warm with sour cream.
Tips
- Grated potatoes turn gray quickly, so work fast and get the pudding into the oven right after mixing.
- For a crisper crust, heat the buttered dish in the oven for 5 minutes before pouring in the mixture.
Questions and answers
Can I make kugelis ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it a day ahead and refrigerate. Reheat in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 25 minutes, or fry slices in a little butter until crisp.
Can I freeze kugelis?
Yes. Freeze cooked, cooled slices for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven so the crust crisps again.
What can I serve with kugelis?
Sour cream is the standard topping. Lingonberry sauce, pickles or a simple cucumber salad also go well.
How long does it take to make Kugelis (Lithuanian Baked Potato Pudding)?
About 1 h 50 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kugelis (Lithuanian Baked Potato Pudding)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 19 g of protein, 46 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
