Traditional Tartiflette

This traditional Alpine dish combines Reblochon cheese, potatoes, and ham for a rich, hearty meal, ideal for a dinner after a day on the slopes.

Tartiflette de Savoie

SERVES 4

PREPARATION AND COOKING 1 hour

6 medium potatoes, scrubbed

Salt

1 tablespoon butter

1 onion, peeled and minced

¼ cup dry white wine such as sauvignon

½ cup (2 ounces/60 g.) small smoked lardons

2 cups (50 cl.) cold heavy cream

½ lb (200 g.) Reblochon cheese

3 tablespoons chicken broth, vegetable broth or water

Pepper

A generous ½ cup (2 ounces/60 g.) grated Beaufort cheese (similar to Gruyère)

1. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with 1 quart (1 l.) water and 1 level tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-40 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. When they are finished, the tip of a knife will slide cleanly in and out of them. Drain.
2. While the potatoes cook, melt the butter in another saucepan. When it foams, add the onion and cook over low heat for 3 minutes; the onion should not brown. Add the wine and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and chop them into large chunks.
4. Preheat the oven to 480 degrees fahrenheit/240 degrees celsius.
5. In a large bowl, gently mix the potato chunks with the lardons and reduced wine. Pour the combination into a baking dish. Whip the chilled heavy cream.
6. Remove the crust from the Reblochon and chop it into pieces. Put them in a baking dish and bake for 18 minutes; they should get warm but not too hot. Put the warmed cheese in a blender or food processor and blend briskly as you add the broth (or 3 tablespoons water if you have no broth). Add the whipped cream to the blended cheese. Taste for salt and pepper. Spread this creamy cheese over the top of the potatoes.
7. Sprinkle the dish on the diagonal with the grated Beaufort cheese. Bake for 8-12 minutes. You want the tartiflette to get a little color. Serve very hot

 

from The Complete Robuchon by Joel Robuchon (Alfred A. Knopf, $35) Buy the book!