Ingredients:
5 lb yellow-fleshed potatoes such as Yukon Gold
1/2 lb slab bacon, any rind discarded, bacon cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and then slices cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips (lardons)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 200°C. Peel potatoes, then halve lengthwise (quarter if very large) and cut crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick pieces. Blanch potatoes in 2 batches in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water 5 minutes per batch (potatoes will not be completely cooked through). Transfer potatoes with a slotted spoon to a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain in a colander and transfer to another large bowl.

Cook lardons in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, 5 to 8 minutes. Add lardons and 2 tablespoons fat from skillet to potatoes, then add thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper and toss until combined well. Transfer mixture to a greased 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish (or other 3-quart shallow baking dish) and dot with butter.

Bake casserole (next to or under crown roast, if making, starting 30 minutes before roast is done), uncovered, 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 250°C, then continue to bake until top is golden, about 15 minutes. Season with salt.

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