Myaso po-Frantsuzski (Russian Baked Pork with Potatoes and Cheese)
Local name: Мясо по-французски
In short: A Russian celebration bake of pork slices layered with onion, potato, garlic mayonnaise and cheese, baked until bubbling and golden. It takes about 1 h 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 590 kcal
The name means French-style meat, but this layered bake of pork, onion, potato and cheese is a staple of Russian celebration tables. Thin pork slices are pounded, seasoned and covered with onion, potato and a garlicky mayonnaise sauce, then topped with a thick blanket of cheese. The result feeds a crowd from humble ingredients and comes out of the oven blistered and golden. Serve it hot with pickles and a fresh salad.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly oil a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish.
- Place the pork slices between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick. Season both sides with half the salt and the pepper.
- Stir the garlic into the mayonnaise. Lay the pork in one layer in the dish, spread a third of the mayonnaise over it, and cover with the onions.
- Toss the potato slices with the remaining salt and overlap them over the onions. Spread another third of the mayonnaise on top.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes, until the potatoes are nearly tender.
- Mix the cheese with the last of the mayonnaise. Uncover the dish, spread the cheese over the top and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, until golden and bubbling and the pork reaches at least 63°C (145°F).
- Rest for 10 minutes, scatter with dill, then cut into squares and serve.
Tips
- Slice the potatoes thin and even, ideally with a mandoline, so they cook in the same time as the pork. If the top browns before the potatoes are tender, cover it with foil again.
- Chicken breast or turkey, pounded thin, works in place of pork, and needs about 10 minutes less in the oven. Use half mayonnaise and half sour cream for a lighter sauce.
Questions and answers
Can I assemble myaso po-frantsuzski ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it up to 8 hours ahead, cover and chill, then bake straight from the fridge, adding about 10 minutes to the first stage.
What cheese works best?
A medium-hard melting cheese such as Gouda, Edam or Cheddar. Avoid very dry cheeses, which do not melt into a smooth golden top.
What do you serve with this dish?
Pickles, sauerkraut or a tomato and cucumber salad cut through the richness. Many Russian families also serve a simple green salad and rye bread.
How long does it take to make Myaso po-Frantsuzski (Russian Baked Pork with Potatoes and Cheese)?
About 1 h 45 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Myaso po-Frantsuzski (Russian Baked Pork with Potatoes and Cheese)?
About 590 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 26 g of carbohydrates and 39 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 590 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fat | 39 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
