Hot German Potato Salad

Here is a recipe for a delicious Hot German Potato Salad with a bacon vinaigrette dressing…

My Father used to make this sometimes when I was growing up. I have always loved it, but do not make it very often because I forget about it unless we are having bratwursts. I do not have the exact recipe that my Dad used to make so I improvised a little and it tasted pretty close to what I remember.

Unlike American Potato Salad, most German Potato Salads are meant to be enjoyed hot, although in some German restaurants in the United States (and even a few in Germany ) I have had it served cold but I prefer it hot.

Servings 3-4

Cook / Prep Time – about 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds small potatoes, red or gold
• 3 strips bacon
• 1 rib of celery
• 1 large shallot
• 1 medium sweet pepper – any color
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp chives
• 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• salt
• pepper

Bring 1 1/2 quarts of salted water to a boil. Clean and wash the potatoes. Slice the potatoes about 1/2 inch thick and boil them until tender. Drain and rinse and set aside. Clean and dice the celery, shallot and bell pepper into 1/2 inch pieces. Chop the bacon and place it in a skillet. When bacon is crisp, add the diced vegetables and saute them with the bacon for a few minutes.

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Add the vinegar, water and sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the dijon mustard, celery seed and chives. Dissolve the cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water and stir in the mixture to thicken the sauce. Add the cooked, sliced potatoes and blend well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook until the potatoes are heated thoroughly. Top with chopped parsley and serve. It goes great with Brats!

Enjoy!

Here are a few Polka song suggestions for your listening pleasure while preparing this potato salad…

“Beer Barrel Polka” by Bobby Vinton from his 1975 album “Heart of Hearts”

“In Heaven There is No Beer” – a traditional German song also titled “Im Himmel gift’s keen Bier” in German. This is a song about the existential pleasures of drinking beer.

My beloved Iowa Hawkeyes also have a version of this song called the “Hawkeye Victory Polka” played by University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band and other pep bands at Iowa sporting victories since the 1960’s.