I’m keeping things short and sweet today because what I’m about to talk about needs no long introduction: bacon. That crispy, salty, curly-when-fried cured meat that I don’t usually care for but desperately craved the other day. And when I say bacon, I’m referring to those strips that are half fat, half meat. There is no room for that imitation turkey stuff. Not today.
You’re going to want to use some pretty fatty bacon. Mine had about a 60-40 fat-to-meat ratio. This way, you’ll actually have enough fat for roasting potatoes. It’s the weekend. We’re allowed to let loose and cook our potatoes in bacon fat if we want to.
Speaking of frying bacon, did you catch this study several months ago on why bacon smells so good? As it turns out, there are about 150 organic compounds that are activated when that fat hits the hot pan. No wonder my apartment smelled like bacon for hours!
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 thick strips of fatty bacon, use 3 if you want more bacon bits for later
- 3/4 lbs 340g fingerling potatoes
- 1 TBS fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 generous pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 385 degrees F (195 degrees C).
- Fry the bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Flip the bacon frequently until most of the fat has burned off. Turn off the heat. This should take between 5 to 10 minutes. Line a plate with a paper towel, and place the cooked bacon on the lined plate.
- Add the rosemary into the bacon fat, and give everything a quick stir to infuse the rosemary flavor.
- Rinse the fingerling potatoes and dry them completely. Slice them in half. If the potato is fairly large, cut it into quarters. Place them cut side down in the skillet. Spoon and drizzle any extra bacon fat on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle the garlic and salt on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes. You can flip some of the potatoes if you want more sides to be browned. Then, turn the heat up to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. The potatoes will be done when they’re easily pierced with a fork. While the potatoes are baking, rip off any extra fat from the cooked bacon, and chop it into small pieces.
- When the potatoes are done, sprinkle the extra bacon on top. Best served warm.
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
You can’t go wrong with bacon! Yum!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
These potatoes look really delicious, Lisa!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Olivia!
kristina @ love & zest says
UMMM this sounds utterly delicious. I love potatoes, especially roasted ones coated in bacon.
Lisa says
Thanks, Kristina! Those potatoes tasted soo good!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I didn’t know bacon’s irresistibility was so scientific! Can I think about it while inhaling this?
Lisa says
Isn’t it crazy that there are so man things going on in just a piece of bacon?? I swear, even my clothes smelled like bacon after I made this dish!
Maritza says
This is perfectly yummy for Fall – thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
You’re welcome, Maritza!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
OMG. I have tried rosemary roasted potatoes in DUCK fat but not bacon fat….this is genius. 2 strips of bacon? Who are you?
You should make paella.
Lisa says
I’d totally throw some of that bacon in a paella!! :grabs pen to brainstorm a recipe: We can talk about our raincoat business over paella.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
These look soooo good! Love that you cooked the potatoes in all the bacon fat. YES!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Liz! It was soo good with the bacon!
Anonymous says
First time cooking this and it’s amazing!!!