Polish Potato Babka

Ingredients

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes, peeled and grated 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 eggs, beaten 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping) 1/4 cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 12g (5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (3g sugars)
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a round baking dish.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, parsley, and dill. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Pour the potato mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the mixture.
5. 5.
   Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
6. 6.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture from the grated potatoes before mixing them with the other ingredients to prevent a watery babka.
• Onion — For a milder flavor, you can sauté the chopped onion in a little oil until translucent before adding it to the mixture.
• Parmesan cheese — If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free alternative.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispier crust, you can brush the top of the babka with melted butter before baking.
• Serve the Potato Babka with a dollop of sour cream or applesauce for an extra burst of flavor.
• Leftover babka can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven to regain its crispiness.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of your babka.
• For a festive touch, garnish the baked babka with additional fresh herbs before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Polish Potato Babka warm as a main dish accompanied by a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. It can also be enjoyed as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some additional fresh herbs on top of the baked babka before serving. Cut it into wedges and arrange them on a platter, allowing the golden crust to be visible.