Grilled Garlicky Bacon Bread | Hrianka

slovakian-hrianka-bacon-garlic-bread

“Better to eat bread in peace, than cake amidst turmoil.”
– Slovak Proverb

Oh, Slovakia. My husband has been woo’d, my daughter smitten. As for me, I’m in love. No, it’s not because of Valentine’s Day.

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It’s because of Bacon.

Garlic.

Oh, and a nice, thick slice of Sourdough Rye Bread.

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Yes… Slovakia really did us in when it comes to Hrianka.

At her most basic, Hrianka is plain toast rubbed with garlic. At her most beautiful, she’s a collection of hearty slices griddled in hot bacon drippings, then rubbed with cloves of fresh garlic.

And so my heart sings on…

A picture of Trenčín town with Trenčín Castle, Slovakia. Photo by Abphoto.

A picture of Trenčín town with Trenčín Castle, Slovakia. Photo by Abphoto.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

5 slices of bacon
2 large slices bread (rye or sourdough a plus)
1 large clove garlic

Method:

Fry up that bacon. Eat the bacon. Or perhaps use it to garnish some Slovak Sour Bean Soup (recipe coming soon).

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Now for the fun.

Griddle your bread in the drippings.

Health Tip: If you have too many drippings, you can just brush both sides of the bread with a little to taste and use a new, clean pan to toast the bread. You get the same great flavor, but it’s quite a bit healthier.

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When both sides of the toast crackle and crunch, remove the bread from the pan and rub it down with a raw garlic clove.

The rough, bumpy surface will eat up some of the garlic, giving flavor and – if you use a heavy hand – you’ll even get a hit of spice from the raw garlic.

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The result? The perfect garlic bread to accompany stews, soups, roasts and more.

Oh, and it’s also an extra delicious germ (& vampire) killer.

Perfect for the day after Valentine’s Day.

Thanks, Slovakia. You’ve taken ‘cozy and comforting’ to a whole new level.

P.S.  If that doesn’t convince you, can I have your slice?

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Recipe inspired by the commenter on Slovak Cooking who described this favorite method of making Hrianka.

Grilled Garlicky Bacon Bread | Hrianka
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
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Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
At her most basic, Hrianka is plain toast rubbed with garlic. At her most beautiful, she’s a collection of hearty slices griddled in hot bacon drippings, then rubbed with cloves of fresh garlic.
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Grilled Garlicky Bacon Bread | Hrianka
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
At her most basic, Hrianka is plain toast rubbed with garlic. At her most beautiful, she’s a collection of hearty slices griddled in hot bacon drippings, then rubbed with cloves of fresh garlic.
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Ingredients
  • 5 slices bacon
  • 2 slices rye bread - OR -
  • sour dough bread
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
Servings: people
Units:
Instructions
  1. Fry up that bacon. Eat the bacon.
  2. Griddle your bread in the drippings. Health Tip: If you have too many drippings, you can just brush both sides of the bread with a little to taste and use a new, clean pan to toast the bread. You get the same great flavor, but it’s quite a bit healthier.
  3. When both sides of the toast crackle and crunch, remove the bread from the pan and rub it down with a raw garlic clove. The rough, bumpy surface will eat up some of the garlic, giving flavor and – if you use a heavy hand – you’ll even get a hit of spice from the raw garlic. Enjoy!

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