Himmel und Erde

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.

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.