Triple cheese & bacon Dauphinoise

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
Smoked bacon and a triple hit of gooey, melted cheese takes this classic dish of layered potatoes and double cream to the next level of indulgence – a showstopping side for a dinner party

Prep:20 mins
Cook:1 hrs 45 mins

Serves 6
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 637
fat 48g
saturates 28g
carbs 30g
sugars 6g
fibre 3g
protein 20g
salt 1.6g

Ingredients

butter, for greasing
500ml semi-skimmed milk
300ml pot double cream
2 garlic cloves, bashed
1 tbsp vegetable oil
200g smoked bacon lardons
6 large (about 900g) Maris Piper potatoes, thinly sliced (use a mandolin if you have one)
50g cheddar, grated
50g Parmesan, grated
50g Gruyère, cubed

Method

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and grease a shallow baking dish with butter (I used a 20 x 30cm dish). Pour the milk and cream into a large saucepan, add the garlic, tip in the potatoes and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat to let the garlic infuse and the potatoes cool a little while you cook the bacon.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the lardons. Cook on a low-medium heat for 10 mins until they are turning crispy.
Using a slotted spoon, start layering the potatoes onto the base of the dish until completely covered (remove the garlic cloves when you spot them). Spoon over some of the cream mixture, a little cheddar, Parmesan and Gruyère, and scatter on some of the bacon. Season well and repeat until you have used up all the potato. Pour over any remaining cream and scatter with the remaining cheese. Reserve some of the bacon for topping later.
Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 1 hr. Remove the foil and cook for a further 30 mins until the potatoes are cooked through (insert a skewer or knife and check there is no resistance) and the topping is golden. Scatter with the remaining bacon for the final 5 mins of cooking.