Serves: 6

The Bombine used to be called the ‘Dish of the Poor’ because it is a complete meal with potatoes and a little meat. Bay leaves give this dish a special aroma, but otherwise the ingredients can vary widely and there are as many recipes for Bombine as there are villages in the Ardèche. Saint-Andéol-de-Berg is the ‘Capital of the Bombine’ with chefs called ‘Maîtres Bombinaires’. Some of them will add carrots, garlic or black olives. Here we offer a recipe from the beautiful village of Labeaume.


Ingredients

  • 1.5kg potatoes
  • 2 onions
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs of thyme
  • 1 glass of white wine
  • 800g salted pork belly or smoked bacon
  • Pepper

Directions

1 Peel the potatoes and cut them into not too small cubes. Cut the meat into smaller pieces and slice the onions finely. Pour a bit of olive oil into a cast iron casserole dish and sweat the onions and brown the meat.

2Then moisten both with half a litre of salted water and the white wine. Throw in thyme and bay leaves and pepper and bring to boiling point.

3 Add the potatoes and cover with the lid and place in the oven at medium temperature for 1½ to 2 hours. Serve the Bombine with a crisp salad for a simple but exquisite meal.

IMAGE © REGINA VON PLANTA


First printed in our sister publication France Today

Want more mouth-watering recipes? Order this wonderful book by clicking the link below!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here