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This Traditional Polish Bacon Spread Is Pure Comfort: When traveling in Poland, you’ll often be greeted with little pots of Smalec – a rich, delicious lard spread – instead of butter for bread and crackers. This Polish bacon spread is easy to make, full of homestyle flavor, and totally addictive!
I fell in love with Smalec while traveling through Poland, where it shows up on tables in the most unassuming way, presented in a small crock, a basket of dark bread or saltine crackers. Of course there are always tons of pickles nearby, too. One bite you’ll completely understood why it’s such a classic!
This Traditional Polish Bacon Spread Is Pure Comfort – it’s rich, savory, a little smoky, and incredibly easy to make!
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of contents
How to Make Smalec Polish Bacon and Lard Spread
Smalec is a traditional Polish bacon lard spread made with rendered bacon and onions, served chilled and spread onto hearty bread. Rich, savory, and simple to prepare, it’s a classic comfort food that’s perfect as an appetizer, snack, or part of a traditional spread.
Ingredients for Traditional Polish Smalec
To make this traditional Polish spread, we will need the following:
- Bacon: Diced bacon is a key component of smalec, providing a salty, smoky, and savory flavor. As it cooks, the bacon releases its fat, which combines with lard to create the spread’s rich and creamy texture.
- Lard: Lard is the primary fat used in smalec and serves as the base of the spread. It adds a silky and smooth consistency to the dish. Lard is known for its ability to carry and enhance the flavors of other ingredients.
- Onion: Diced or grated onions add a sweet and aromatic element to smalec. They become tender and slightly caramelized as they cook, infusing the spread with their delightful flavor.
- Green Apples: Peeled, cored, seeded, and diced green apples provide a hint of tartness and freshness to balance the richness of the dish. They add a unique sweetness and a subtle fruity note.
- Garlic: Minced garlic cloves contribute a robust and pungent flavor to the spread. Garlic adds depth and complexity to the overall taste of smalec.
- Marjoram: Marjoram is a fragrant herb with a slightly citrusy and floral flavor. It imparts a pleasant herbal aroma and enhances the overall seasoning of the spread.
- Garlic Salt: Garlic salt is used to season the dish, providing both saltiness and a concentrated garlic flavor. It ensures that the spread is well-seasoned and flavorful.
Steps to Make Smalec
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
Melt Lard
In a large, heavy nonstick pan, melt lard on medium high heat.
Cook Onions and Bacon
Add finely diced bacon and onions and continue to cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned – about 10 minutes.
Add Apples and Season
Reduce heat to low and add in diced apples, garlic, salt, and marjoram.
Cool
Remove from heat and place in covered bowl and let cool. Refrigerate to cool and bring back to a thicker consistency, then serve. Smalec should be soft and room temperature, but white and solidified, not liquid like in the pan.
How to Get the Best Flavor in Smalec
Choose Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality bacon and lard for the best flavor and texture. Opt for fresh and firm green apples to provide a pleasant tartness.
Render Bacon Slowly: When rendering the bacon, cook it slowly over low to medium heat. This allows the fat to melt gradually and prevents it from becoming too greasy or burnt.
Mince Garlic Finely: Ensure that the garlic is minced finely to distribute its flavor evenly throughout the spread.
Caramelize Onions: Take your time to caramelize the onions, cooking them until they are soft and golden brown. This process enhances their sweetness and contributes to the overall flavor of the smalec.
Control the Seasoning: Be mindful of the garlic salt and other seasonings. Taste the spread as you go and adjust the seasonings to your preference, as garlic salt can vary in intensity.
Balancing Flavors: Adjust the amount of apples, marjoram, and garlic to achieve the right balance of sweet, savory, and herbal notes.
Chill and Serve: Allow the smalec to cool and solidify in the refrigerator before serving. It’s typically enjoyed spread on bread or crackers.
Presentation: Garnish the smalec with fresh herbs or additional diced apples for a visually appealing presentation.
Storage: Keep the smalec refrigerated in an airtight container. It can be stored for several weeks and often improves in flavor as it matures.
What to Serve with Smalec
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Polish Smalec
Ingredients
- 8 strips bacon, diced
- 2 cups lard
- 1 onion, diced or grated
- 2 green apples, peeled, cored, seeded, and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons marjoram
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
- In a large, heavy nonstick pan, melt lard on medium high heat.
- Add finely diced bacon and onions and continue to cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned – about 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add in diced apples, garlic, salt, and marjoram.
- Continue to cook until bacon and onions are a deep caramel brown.
- Remove from heat and place in covered bowl and let cool. Refrigerate to cool and bring back to a thicker consistency, then serve. Smalec should be soft and room temperature, but white and solidified, not liquid like in the pan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smalec
Smalec is a traditional Polish spread made primarily from rendered lard. It often includes diced bacon, onions, garlic, and other flavorings like apples and marjoram.
To make smalec, lard and diced bacon are slowly rendered until the bacon becomes crispy and releases its flavors. Onions, garlic, and sometimes apples and marjoram are added and cooked until everything is well combined and aromatic.
Smalec is commonly served on slices of crusty bread or crackers. It’s a popular appetizer or snack in Poland and is often enjoyed with a glass of beer or vodka.
While bacon adds a distinct flavor to smalec, you can make a version without bacon if you prefer a lighter taste. The key ingredient is rendered lard, so you can omit the bacon and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Smalec is a rich and indulgent spread due to its high-fat content. While it’s delicious, it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It’s not considered a health food, but it’s a traditional treat with deep cultural roots.
Yes, there are variations of smalec across different regions of Poland. Some may include additional ingredients or slightly different seasonings to suit local preferences.
Smalec can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will solidify when chilled but can be brought back to a spreadable consistency by warming it slightly.
Smalec is a symbol of Polish hospitality and is often served as a welcoming treat to guests, or as a bread course in restaurants – similar to chips and salsa. In some regions, it’s a customary offering during special occasions like weddings.
What (if anything) can be subbed for lard (i.e. bacon fat, coconut oil or some combination?
Bacon fat is best or coconut oil for a healthier take.