I saw this German dish created on Instagram. "Heaven and Earth" is mashed potatoes, stewed apple and caramelised onion.
Apparently potatoes are called earth apples in Germany (if you know better then let me know) so I guess the name is a play on words with earth apples and heavenly apples.
Apparently potatoes are called earth apples in Germany (if you know better then let me know) so I guess the name is a play on words with earth apples and heavenly apples.
Anyhow, the idea of apple, mash and onion grabbed my attention and I intend to make it some day. I did make a variation which was sauteed leek and apple with mash. It was good and I put the left over apple and leek in the fridge and ate it on toast with cheese. Also very good.
My cooking becomes simpler and simpler as my life gets busier and I also have less stamina for standing than I once did so even though this is a simple dish, it is more peeling and chopping than I really want to do. As I thought about how I really wanted to try it, I decided to make it easier by using frozen mashed potatoes.
I have never bought frozen mash before although I have probably eaten it any time I have a pub meal of sausages and mash. On my regular shopping trip I bought a bag of frozen mash. It's about $5 for a kilo so actually about the same price as the potatoes themselves. I understood every listed ingredient, too: potatoes, milk, salt and pepper.
Can I tell you, frozen mash is a revelation! It is frozen in little cylinders (extruded from a pipe and snap frozen, I would think) I put the little cylinders in the microwave for a few minutes, added a splash of milk to create the texture I like and hey presto, delightful mash.
The downside is, it is imported from Belgium. A very long way with a very big lot of fuel used. I don't like that part but I think if I remain committed to eating Australian potatoes when they are cooked another way, I can justify it.
In French it is pommes de terre - apples of the earth/soil. Catherine - Sydney
ReplyDeleteThats interesting. I never would have thought there was any relationship between apples and potatoes but obviously the French do!
DeleteThank you, Catherine
Earth Apples & Leeks, my favourite vegetable.
ReplyDeleteLeft over apple with toast & toasted cheese : perfect choice for an old Oz movie.
Frozen mash. Belgian tatties. Never noticed it here. French cuisine. Always a pleasure.
Hi Jack,
DeleteIt's a long weekend just starting and a movie is a good idea :)
http://ayarnwithgod.blogspot.com/2026/05/hagar.html
DeleteYou might have some comment on this, Haggerty
I am certainly not a fan of Deb mashed potatoes. Is anyone? But this frozen mash sounds well worth trying. I wonder why we can't make it here.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I thought it was great. There could be an Aussie made version, I've only tried one brand.
DeleteI have never heard of frozen mashed potatoes and the Deb instant stuff is awful. I'll keep an eye out for the frozen stuff and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteIt's so easy!
I've never eaten Deb but it's a bit weird to think about
Sauteed leeks, apples and mash sound excellent, either as a dish in its own right or as the base for whatever you put on top eg salmon. Yum
ReplyDeleteYes. It is good. I put it with pork but salmon would work
DeleteIT LOOKS LIKE A VER TAsty dish.
ReplyDeleteYes. Pure comfort, Red
DeleteNot sure how you determined potatoes are earth apples in German - maybe it got mixed up with pommes de terre in French. German word is Kartoffeln. I know that from my elementary German but I had to look up the etymology which is apparently from the Italian for truffles (presumably because they too are found underground).
ReplyDeletePretty sure I read it where I took the photo from. And I didn't check it.
DeleteEven ibeIng wrong, the earth apples and heaven and earth still work interestingly together, which pleases me
marcellous; possibly because they share a similar vitamin range and are both crunchy when raw and soft when cooked and of course the similar shapes might have something to do with it.
Delete