German Potato Salad
Credit: Christopher Hirsheimer
SERVES 6 – 8
Some recipes for this salad call for sautéing the onions in the bacon fat, but we prefer them left raw. This recipe comes from James Beard's American Cookery (Little, Brown & Co., 1972).
6–8 medium waxy potatoes
Salt
12 thick slices bacon
1 large yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
6 tbsp. white wine vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1. Put potatoes into a large pot, cover with cold water by 2"–3", and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium, and gently boil until potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 15–20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 10–15 minutes. Drain on paper towels, setting skillet with rendered fat aside. Crumble bacon into large pieces.
3. Drain potatoes, peel while still hot, and cut into 1" cubes. Put potatoes into a large warm serving bowl and add bacon and onions. Return skillet with bacon fat to medium-high heat and heat until hot. CArefully add vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Pour hot dressing over potato mixture and toss well. Adjust seasonings. Garnish with parsley. Serve warm.
We use mayonaise, sour cucumbers (pickles, cornichons) and hard boiled eggs also. And most important: you will never, really never, use the freshly boiled potatos right away. They have to sit peeled for at least 24 hours, before they will make a good salad! You always use them the next day, never the same day of cooking!
In the old days, when East Prussia was still german land, the recipe went with a dressing of egg-yellow stirred into a hot (not boiling!!!) broth-vinaigre blend. Very important topping after the vinaigrette was blended with potatoes: chives!! Super important even!