Himmel und Erde
Heaven and Earth
A hearty and traditional Rhineland dish, Himmel und Erde translates to 'Heaven and Earth,' representing the sweetness of apples (heaven) and the earthiness of potatoes, served with savory blood sausage and caramelized onions. It's a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and rich flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Potatoes(Waxy varieties like Yukon Gold or Desiree work well.)
- 500 g Apples(Tart and firm varieties such as Boskoop, Elstar, or Granny Smith are recommended.)
- 4 pieces Blood sausage (Blutwurst)(About 100-150g per piece.)
- 2 medium Onions(Yellow or white onions.)
- 100 g Bacon(Smoked streaky bacon, diced.)
- 2 tbsp Butter(For mashing and frying.)
- 50-100 ml Milk or Cream(Optional, for a creamier mash.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- pinch Nutmeg(Freshly grated if possible.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the potatoes and apples: Peel the potatoes and cut them into roughly equal-sized chunks. Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Place both in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 2
Mash the potatoes and apples: Return the drained potatoes and apples to the warm pot. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Mash them together until mostly smooth but with a few small chunks remaining for texture. Stir in milk or cream (if using) until desired consistency is reached. Season generously with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Keep warm.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Cook the bacon and onions: While the potatoes and apples are cooking, dice the bacon. Peel and finely chop the onions. In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet. Add the chopped onions to the bacon fat and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. If the pan becomes too dry, add a little more butter or oil.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Fry the blood sausage: Slice the blood sausage into 1-inch thick rounds. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to a separate skillet (or wipe out the onion skillet if preferred) and heat over medium heat. Gently fry the blood sausage slices for about 3-4 minutes per side, until heated through and slightly crisped on the outside. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become dry.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 5
Assemble and serve: Spoon a generous portion of the warm Himmel und Erde mash onto each plate. Top with 1-2 slices of fried blood sausage. Scatter the crispy bacon bits and caramelized onions over the top. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The name 'Himmel und Erde' (Heaven and Earth) refers to the sweet apples (heaven) and the earthy potatoes (earth).
- ✓This is a classic dish from the Rhineland region of Germany.
- ✓The combination of sweet apples, savory potatoes, rich blood sausage, and smoky bacon creates a complex and satisfying flavor profile.
- ✓For a smoother mash, you can use a potato ricer or food mill.
- ✓Ensure the blood sausage is cooked gently to avoid it breaking apart.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a lighter version, use less bacon fat for caramelizing the onions.
- Some recipes include a touch of apple cider vinegar in the mash for added brightness.
- If blood sausage is unavailable or not preferred, pan-fried liver sausage (Leberwurst) or even pan-fried pork chops can be substituted, though this will alter the traditional flavor.
- A dollop of sour cream or unsweetened applesauce can be served alongside.