Cabbage Gratin with Cheese, Bacon and Potato

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb savoy cabbage or cavalo nero (black kale)

4 medium potatoes

3 tbsp olive oil

150g (6 oz) diced bacon (preferably back)

1 onion, finely sliced

2 cloves garlic, finely sliced

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1 tsp chilli flakes

50g (2 oz) freshly grated parmesan

200g cheese; taleggio is recommended but Gruyere, Gouda, Edam or even Cheddar could be used

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Method:

1. Peel and cut potatoes into chunks about 2cm thick and boil for about 5 minutes until just starting to soften. Drain. 

2. Meanwhile fry the bacon until well coloured then lower the heat and stir in the onion, garlic and chilli. Fry gently until soft. 

3. Cut the cabbage into coarse chunks. Wash and add a third at a time to the onions and bacon. As the cabbage wilts add the more until it is all incorporated. Mix with the potatoes and half the parmesan. 

4. Butter a baking dish and add half the cabbage and potato mixture. Dot with half the cheese then cover with the remaining mixture and top with the remaining cheese and parmesan. Cook in a preheated (200C) oven for about 30 minutes. 

by Nigella Lawson - BBC Food