Potato Savouries

Mashed potato, cheddar, spring onion and bacon baked in a crisp bread crust | A family recipe preserved on Hestia

These Potato Savouries—a comforting, bite-sized assembly of creamy mashed potato, melted cheddar, spring onion, and bacon baked within a crisp bread crust—serve as a reliable staple for your morning or mid-day routine. Sourced directly from our family's collection, this dish is a perfect example of turning simple, everyday ingredients (like leftover mash) into a source of quiet comfort. Whether served at a bustling family breakfast or as a hearty midday pause, these savouries provide a moment of steadiness and ease, bringing the warmth of the hearth directly to your plate. 

Method

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180°C.

2. Cut the crusts off the slices of buttered bread, then cut each slice into quarters.

3. Press the cut-out bread quarters into patty pans (silicone pans are highly recommended for this), ensuring the buttered side is facing down to create a crisp crust.

4. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the mashed potato, grated cheddar cheese, eggs, cooked spring onions, and cooked bacon until evenly distributed.

5. Spoon the potato mixture generously into the prepared bread-lined patty pans.

6. Top each savoury with a light sprinkle of paprika for colour and warmth.

7. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the filling is set and the bread crusts are beautifully golden brown.

Ritual of Presence

• The Ingredient of Rest: Once the savouries are placed in the oven, purposefully step away from the kitchen workspace. Let the twenty-minute baking time serve as a period of rest, lightening your load and trusting the heat to do the work while you take a quiet pause.

• The Sensory Anticipation: As the rich, savoury scent of baking potato, melting cheese, and bacon begins to permeate the house, allow the aroma to ground you. Notice how this familiar scent signals care, comfort, and a nourishing meal to come.

• The Mindful Tasting: When the savouries are cool enough to eat, take your first bite with complete intention. Notice the contrast between the crisp, buttery bread crust and the soft, creamy interior of the mashed potato. Let the salty tang of the cheese and bacon linger on your palate, acknowledging the simple, profound comfort this staple brings before engaging in the lively conversation of the table.