The name Hachis Parmentier comes from the pharmacist Antoine-Augustin Parmentier who in the 19st century help introduce potatoes in France to fight against famine. Mr. Parmentier also discovered some of the medicinal virtues of the potatoes for fighting blood pressure and improving digestion.
This recipe has become a popular family meal over the centuries. It is very often served in the cafeteria and schools since it uses up yesterday's leftover meat. It is nutritious and easy to prepare.
Ingredients for Hachis Parmentier (4-6 servings):
- 1 kg potatoes (bintje type)
- 100 gr butter
- 2 dl crème fraîche
- 2 dl beef broth
- 600 gr minced meat
- 1 chopped onion
- 60 gr crustless bread
- 1 dl milk
- chopped parsley
- 30 gr grated swiss cheese (optional)
- numeg powder, 1 tea spoon
- salt
- pepper
Time required:
preparation 60 minutes
cooking 45 minutes
Directions:
To prepare the potato puree:
- Boil in cold water with salt for 20 minutes or steam them for 35 minutes. steam potatoes will keep more vitamins.
- Peel potatoes and cut them in cube.
- Mash them in pan. Mash them until you get to a pulp using masher or a fork.
- Put the puree on low heat and add little by little 80 gr butter the milk. Mix well the ingredients while adding butter and milk.
- When the puree is done add creme fraiche (sour cream) and netmeg powder
To prepare the hachis parmentier:
Boil or cook the beef or use left over meat from the day before
- Chop the onion
- Melt 20 gr butter in a pan and gently cook the onion
- Add salt , pepper and the beef broth. Cook for 15 minutes at low heat
- Remove from heat and add the beef. Mix well
- Preheat the oven at 275C or 525F
- Spray a round baking cake pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter spread a thin layer of butter
- Spread the meat mix and cover with potatoes puree
- Finish layering with crustless bread and grated swiss cheese. You can replace grated cheese by melted butter
- Put in the oven and cook au gratin for 15 minutes
Enjoy with a glass of red wine and green salad with vinaigrette dressing.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 850
- Fat: 45.5 gr , 60% daily value
- Protein: 25.5 gr, 48% daily value
- Carbohydrate: 45 gr, 42 % daily value
- Fiber: 2.6 gr
- Vitamin C: 9 % daily value
- Vitamin A: 16 % daily value
- Calcium: 18% daily value
- Iron: 23% daily value
Alternatives:
You can replace the home made puree potatoes with a commercial dehydrated potatoes preparation. Follow instructions as written by the supplier. It usually takes 5 minutes to prepare.
You can also buy already minced beef but make sure the meat is freshly minced.
You can replace the beef meat by any kind of meat (lamb replace well the beef for this recipe) or fish of your choice.
