MY VEGAN VERSION OF MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S HOT GERMAN POTATO SALAD

My late mother-in-law, Ruth Stuhr Clark, was very fond of Hot German Potato Salad,which I had never heard of before I married her son, my late husband Wayne Clark. It just wasn't part of my mother's culinary repertoire. Ruth was half Irish and half German and from a very large family, so I'm sure she grew up with this tasty and economical dish, which utilized leftover cooked potatoes, with little bits of ham or bacon-- a good meal-stretcher!

Southern German Potato Salad ("Kartoffelsalat") is one of a number of warm (or room temperature) potato salads from various European, Balkan, Middle Eastern, and South American countries. The addition of ham or speck (German bacon) and the sweet-tart dressing differentiates it from the warm potato salad of other cultures, such as the Greek style, using olive oil and lemon, or the Sicilian version with green beans, red onion, olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Here's an interesting article about the spread of, acceptance of and even dependence on potatoes around the world, despite a great deal of early suspicion regarding this nutritious food from South America: http://www.history-magazine.com/potato.html

And here is my vegan version of Ruth's "Kartoffelsalat".

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA'S VEGAN HOT GERMAN POTATO SALAD
Serves 6

2 lbs thin-skinned red or yellow potatoes, peeled or unpeeled (your choice)
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil (this oil gives the salad a smoky, "bacon-y" flavor)
1 medium onion, minced (red onion is traditional, but I use yellow onion if that's all I have)
about 4 ounces vegan "bacon", thinly sliced (here's my favorite)
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup of your favorite vegan "chickeny" broth (I like Better-Than-Bouillon No-Chicken Vegan Broth Base)
2 teaspoons unbleached granulated sugar
1 teaspoon celery seed
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
freshly-ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
Optional: If you have some, top the salad with chopped chives

Cook the potatoes (whole or in large chunks) by either simmering in water or steaming until tender but still firm. Drain them, cool until you can handle them and slice them about 1/3 of an inch  thick.

In a large, deep skillet (preferably nonstick or cast iron), heat the oil over high heat. Add the onions and and sliced "bacon" saute until the onions start to brown a bit and the "bacon" gets a little crisp around the edges.

Sprinkle on the flour and stir it around a bit with a wooden spoon, then add the broth, vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt and pepper. Stir-cook over medium heat until dressing is thick.

Add the potatoes to the skillet and gently fold everything together until coated. Cook gently until heated, and taste for salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the parsley and chives, if you have them.

Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 195.3 calories; 12% calories from fat; 2.8g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 479.1mg sodium; 959.8mg potassium; 34.9g carbohydrates; 3.0g fiber; 2.3g sugar; 9.4g protein; 3.5 points.

Enjoy!