Hot German Potato Salad
After weeks of sweets, I'm here today with a savory dish!
We recently made a trip (with several of Danny's coworkers) to Driftwood, Texas, where we visited an incredible barbecue joint called Salt Lick. We arrived at sunset on a beautiful spring day at this massive compound dedicated to the art of smoked meat. There are plenty of things on the menu, but truly the only thing one needs to order is the "Family Style" which includes all-you-can-eat beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, potato salad, coleslaw and beans. Everything was delicious, but honestly, the German-style potato salad was the real star of the evening. If humble potato salad can outshine such copious amounts of barbecued meat, you know it's something special. Thus, when I found this recipe in the St. John Lutheran Cookbook (submitted by T. Heid), I knew I had to give it a try.
Hot German Potato Salad
Boil 12 medium potatoes in jackets. Cool, peel and cube. Slowly fry 1/2 pound bacon until crisp. Cool and break into pieces. Fry 1 1/2 cups chopped onion in bacon grease and drain off grease. Blend 4 teaspoons flour, 3 teaspoons sugar, 3 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon celery seed and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook over low heat. Stir until smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon butter. Return to heat and cook until thoroughly blended. Add 2 teaspoons of chives or parsley (optional). Pour mixture over potatoes, onion and bacon. Simmer in an electric frypan for 20 minutes. Serve hot.
This potato salad is killer. But be warned, this recipe makes a heck of a lot of it.
I have one note about making this: It's hard to think of a more appetizing smell than cooking onions in bacon fat; But be sure not to throw out the fat afterwards, since it's required for the next step with the spices. In case you're like me and didn't read far enough ahead (or if you'd like a healthier alternative) a little olive oil will suffice in its place.
Final rating: 5/5 please somebody come over and help eat the 5 pounds of potato salad I have in my fridge though