Slovakia

• 500 g potatoes (peeled and grated)
• 200 g all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 100 g bryndza cheese (Slovak sheep cheese, or feta as a substitute)
• 100 g smoked bacon (diced)
• Salt to taste

• Prepare the dough: Grate the potatoes and place them in a bowl. Add the flour, egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix until you have a sticky dough.
• Cook the dumplings: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Using a spoon, drop small portions of the dough into the water, cooking in batches. Once the dumplings float to the surface, they are ready (about 5 minutes).
• Prepare the bacon: While the dumplings cook, fry the diced bacon in a pan until crispy.
• Combine the dish: Drain the dumplings and toss them with the fried bacon.
• Serve: Serve the halušky topped with crumbled bryndza cheese and a drizzle of bacon fat.

Brandzové halušky is considered the national dish of Slovakia. The dumplings, made from potatoes, are rich and flavorful, traditionally enjoyed with creamy bryndza cheese and crispy bacon.