Written by Terezie Hubnerova
The Czech Republic is divided into 14 regions, a larger one of which is the Central Bohemian Region. A dish that you can prepare from this region is Kladno Miner’s Casserole, which, as you can tell from its name, comes from Kladno. It is the largest town in the Central Bohemian Region. In the past it was known for black coal mining, and today it is known for really good hockey teams. Kladno Miner’s Casserole is not difficult to prepare and does not require many ingredients. To be sure, you must know that the Miner’s Casserole is not available in restaurants, as it is not exactly a culinary masterpiece: it was first made by poor mining families from ingredients that were inexpensive and readily available. But these origins do not negate the meal’s great taste.
For more information about the Central Bohemian Region, from which this recipe comes, click here.
2 cups pork cracklings (or fully cooked ham or Canadian bacon)
3 cups Czech bread dumplings, cubed
3 cups boiled potatoes, cubed
1 larger onion
1/2 cup lard
salt and ground black pepper to taste
First, we need to prepare the potatoes. Start by scrubbing the potatoes, and then cut them into slices. Next, place the sliced potatoes in a large saucepan or pot. Then add enough cold water to cover the top of the potatoes, adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. Next, turn the burner on high and bring the water to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low or low. Finally, cover the pot with a lid, and then cook the potatoes in gently boiling water until tender – about 15 to 20 minutes.
Next, cut the bread dumplings into small pieces, preferably cubes.
Then fry the pork cracklings or cooked smoked pork. (It is not really important whether you choose pork cracklings or cooked smoked pork, because the process is the same for both.) Next, mix the pork together with the dumplings and potatoes.
Finally, fry the onion until golden brown and mix it together with the dumplings, potatoes, and pork.
