I love the fact that Germany has a variety of so many different dishes. When traveling to different parts of this country, we always try the regional food. Cologne is not only known for great beer, but also for delicious food. One of very typical dishes from this region is Himmel und Ääd. This recipe we will be introducing to you today.
The name of that dish comes from its ingredients: apples that come from the trees (sky) and potatoes that come from the earth.
The dish itself it’s delicious. Black pudding served with mash potatoes, fried onions and sweet apple sauce which is kind of refreshing! I have never thought that such savory dish can taste so great with the sweetness of apples. If you are ever in Cologne, this is the first dish you need to try!
In November 2015 we went to visit my friend Patrick who I met on Erasmus in Trier a few years ago. November in Germany is the time of Christmas markets where people meet and drink mulled wine. So this evening we had a few and to be honest, I don’t remember the way to the hotel:) we stayed in Hilton that night, and I wanted to enjoy sauna next day in the morning. I was lucky I have managed to get up before check out time! On hangover, i wanted to eat something fatty. Patrick took us to one of the traditional restaurants in the area where he lived. I was thrilled when I saw on the menu this traditional dish from Cologne – Himmel und Ääd (Himmel und Erde – Heaven and Earth).
Traditional dish from Cologne - Himmel und Äd
- 6 potatoes
- 1 tbsp butter
- 30 ml milk
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2-3 onions sliced
- salt
- 200 g black pudding
- 2 tbsp flour
- 4 tbsp apple sauce home made or stope bought
- Peel and cook potatoes. Drain. Add milk and butter to the pot and make purée with potato masher.
- Fry onion on medium heat with a little oil and salt.
- Cut black pudding into 1cm thick rings. My black pudding has a natural casing, so I don't have to remove it before frying it.
- In a deep dish (soup plate), place flour. Bread the bread pudding in it.
- Preheat the oil in a large pan.
- Fry black pudding on each side for one minute or until crispy.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, onion and apple sauce on the side.
