Description
Heaven and Earth (Himmel und Erde) is a traditional German comfort dish made with creamy mashed potatoes and sweet applesauce, topped with crispy fried onions. Optional sausages make it a hearty main course, blending rustic simplicity with rich, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup applesauce
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 small sausages (optional)
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the quartered potatoes. Cook for about 20 minutes, until fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them with butter, salt, and pepper. For a creamier mash, stir in a splash of milk or cream if desired.
- While the potatoes cook, heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the sliced onions, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy (10–15 minutes).
- If using sausages, fry or grill them until browned and cooked through.
- To serve, spoon mashed potatoes onto plates, top with applesauce and crispy onions, and place sausages alongside if using.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use caramelized apples instead of applesauce for a deeper flavor.
Omit sausages or replace with grilled mushrooms or smoked tofu for a vegetarian version.
Add a splash of cream or a pinch of nutmeg to mashed potatoes for extra richness and warmth.
Roast onions instead of frying for a different texture.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat onions separately to keep them crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiling, Frying
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
