Warm German Potato Salad

This recipe for Warm German Potato Salad makes a fantastic year round side-dish.  We had it this week with grilled brats and sauerkraut (homemade and canned my my MIL YUM!) but it would also be just as fantastic with a pork roast in the dead of winter.  

This is not the type of German Potato Salad that I grew up with, my grandma made a version that is also delicious, but it is quite different.  I do think I prefer this salad warm, but my grandma's cold.  

Warm German Potato Salad

3 lbs. small (2 inch diameter) red boiling potatoes, peeled if desired

10 bacon slices (1/2 lb.), cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips

1 large onion, chopped

1/2 tsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. cider vinegar

3/4 c. beef stock or store-bought broth

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

Garnish with additional parsley (optional)

Combine potatoes with cold salted water (1 Tbsp. salt per every 4 Qts. water) to cover by 1 inch in a 6 Qt. pot, bring to a simmer, and simmer until just tender, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes.  With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.  Set skillet aside.

Drain potatoes.  When just cool enough to handle, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.  Transfer to a large bowl, add bacon, and cover to keep warm.

Pour off all but 3 Tbsp. fat from skillet.  Add onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.  Add sugar, 2 Tbsp. vinegar, and stock, bring to a simmer, and simmer until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.

Add onion mixture to potatoes, along with parsley, remaining 1 Tbsp. vinegar, salt, and pepper, and toss gently.

Serve potato salad warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with additional parsley, if desired.

Source: The Gourmet Cookbook