Potatoes: You Are Doing It Wrong

Spud-tacular!

Take it from Germany, the land where potato dreams are born. We have noticed that some of the standard potato recipes here in the US are a little bit bland, so we are here to offer you our centuries of experience to improve your potato palate. Here are 12 of our best-loved dishes for your dining enjoyment:

Himmel und Erde

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Himmel und Erde, or Heaven and Earth, is a classic dish in the Rhineland. It might be a bit scary at first to mash potatoes and apples together, but push through it and you will have a wonderful dish full of flavor and German charm! For best results, serve with a healthy portion of black pudding and a couple of wurst.

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Bratkartoffeln

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We promise you, once you have German bratkartoffeln, or fried potatoes, french fries will never be the same. Sliced potatoes, bacon, and onions (the holy trinity, if you will) sauteed in olive oil with a delicious medly of spices. This. Will. Change. Your. Life.

For a slight variation, try serving it with sausage and throw a couple of eggs on top. This combo is called the farmer's breakfast. Also, it is basically health food.

Basically.

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Kartoffelbrei mit Bratwurst und Sauerkraut

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Mashed potatoes are the gold standard for potato cookery; if you can't make mashed potatoes, even this post won't help you. However, for the rest of us, adding German sauerkraut to the mix can only make this tasty dish even better. The sauce will give it a wonderfully tangy flavor that will remind Germans of their mother's cooking.

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Klöße or Knödel

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Klöße or Knödel are German potato dumplings. Fluffy and warm, Klöße are exactly what we would expect potato-flavored clouds to taste like. Klöße are very typical in Eastern German cooking, and are often served with Schweinsbraten.

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Kartoffelpuffer

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Kartoffelpuffer are known under many names, depending on where you are. Here in the US, many people know them as Latkes, a traditional Jewish dish served during Hannukah. Any German restaurant worth it's salt will have German potato pancakes on their menu. However, if they don't come with applesauce, you know something is wrong!

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Herzogin Kartoffeln

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Herzogin Kartoffeln are called Duchess Potatoes in English. These are for your fancier potato needs.

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Bayerischer Kartoffelsalat

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The people of southern Germany prefer a lighter potato salad than the people of the north. Made with vinaigrette instead of mayonaise, this delicious summer dish will keep you wanting more. Try it with one of Bavaria's famous Brezeln!

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Berliner Kartoffelsalat

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The cold weather in the north calls for a heartier potato salad. Berliners like to pair this with Bulette, or Berlin-style meatballs.

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Schupfnudel

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This lovely version of potato noodles comes from the regions of Baden and Swabia. They are also called Fingernudeln, or finger-noodles. Sounds delicious, right? But seriously, a great substitute for standard pasta, and great with other traditional German recipes!

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Kartoffelgratin

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Gratin-style potatoes are popular all over Europe and the US, but if we do say so ourselves, the German's have a particular grasp on the preperation. The trick is to bake it until you think it will burn, then wait ten minutes longer. Heavy cream, golden potatoes, and southern German cheeses will make this dish extra special. Not available in "diet."

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Pellkartoffeln mit Quark und Leinöl

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Okay, so the potatoes might not be anything to write home about, but the dish itself is UH-mazing! The sauce, made with German quark, is creamy and light and perfectly complements it's starchy companion. You will never look at baked potatoes the same!

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Kartoffelsuppe

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Potato soup is a German staple, especially during cold weather. Even though the Polar Vortex is becoming old news, this recipe is good to keep for the next winter storm. In Germany, you can be sure to find potato soup - and other soups - at larger gatherings. In fact, they are often served in a a mobile soup dispensary called a Gulaschkanone. Literally translated, a Goulausch Cannon. Yes, cannon. If only, right?

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dirks-gulaschkanone.de

Here is a standard Gulaschkanone

Potato Pilgramage

For those of you who have never visited Germany, or have never tasted any of the country's delicate potato-oriented cuisine, we understand that you might be a little skeptical. What does Germany have to do with potatoes? But fear not, we are here to concrete proof that Germany is and has always been your carbohydrate capital. Here is a picture of the grave of Friedrich the Great, whose so-called "potato order" brought the potato to Germany in 1746. Nowadays, Germans recognize his incredible contribution to German culture in a somewhat unique way: by leaving potatoes at his grave.

Our spud love has deep roots. (hardeehar)

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