Step aside, bacon jam, it’s all about bacon salt this season! It’s so easy to make and takes this potato bake to the next level.

SERVES 8 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 55 min

INGREDIENTS
For the bacon salt
200 g lean bacon
Handful basil
200 ml salt flakes
For the potato bake
2 kg potatoes
200 g streaky bacon
100 ml bacon salt
Basil, to garnish

METHOD
For the bacon salt
1. Fry the bacon until crispy and drain on paper towel.
2. Arrange on a baking tray and bake for 10–15 minutes, until crispy and completely dried out.
3. Place the dried bacon, basil and 100 ml salt flakes in a food processor, and blend until finely chopped.
4. Mix with the other 100 ml salt flakes.
For the potato bake
1. Preheat oven to 200ºC and prepare a 40 × 30 cm oven dish.
2. Slice the potatoes very thinly lengthways.
3. Pack the potato slices into the dish upright, placing slices of bacon in between. Sprinkle with bacon salt.
4. Roast for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the potatoes are golden and crisp.
5. Garnish with basil.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za

We still can’t deny that bacon jam is a hero, though! Enjoy a home-made version with these pap pancakes, rocket and avo.