Tourte Maï Mimi (French Potato and Bacon Pie)

Tourte Maï Mimi

The children eat at school and often complain about eating only Italian food. Unlike a normal Parisian school canteen, they do not vary their offering over here in Modena. Since I have them at home today for their second day this week because of the snow, I decided to make them lunch.

Ham and Cheese Crepe

Lunch consisted of a French Potato and Bacon Pie and both savoury and sweet French Crepes. I must have seen a picture of the tourte about 20 years ago in a Marie Claire magazine (no joke) and have always wanted to make it.

Tourte Maï Mimi (a small one) :

450g Potatoes

180g smoked Bacon

1-2 large Shallot

1 Garlic clove

Some fresh Parsley and Thyme leaves

Salt and Pepper to taste

3-4 Tbsp of cooked Rice (optional)

150ml Crème fraîche

2 Puff Pastry circles to largely fit a 6-inch springform cake mould

In a non-stick frying pan, sweat the smoked bacon and fry the thinly-sliced potatoes, shallot and garlic in the rendered fat. Add the fresh herbs, salt and pepper to taste.

There is no need to cook the potatoes through as they will be cooked in the oven. We just want the savours to mix. Leave aside to cool.

Pre-heat the oven to 220°C.

Line a small springform mould with aluminium foil and place a puff pastry disc in it. There should be a good amount of pastry hanging out of the border of the mould.

Before being baked

Fill the mould with the cooked rice if using it. Add the sliced potatoes and bacon filling.

Cover with another puff pastry disc. The top should have a circle drawn on it. Seal the edges of the 2 puff pastry discs together and fold.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes and then cover the pie with a piece of aluminium foil to prevent the top from burning. Bake for another 50 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cut open the top following the circle already draw on it. Pour the cream onto the hot filling.

Return to the oven (heat turned off) for another 10 minutes.

Unmould the tourte and slice it like a cake. Serve hot. The older kids loved it and finished it between them!