I didn't cook lunch last Saturday. As usual we had 1001 errands to run so we decided to eat out. The kids had "Flammkuchen" or "Tarte flambee" in French, an Alsatian sorta thin crust pizza topped with creme fraiche and roasted vegetables, while Daddy and I had ...oysters!! Fresh oysters from the French Atlantic coast driven overnight courtesy of French firemen. Who are as good-looking as they sound. Hehe. Okay but first, a little explanation. Every autumn, each town will hold their own celebrations, in these parts called a "Kerwe", like a local Oktoberfest, where there are food stands, bar stands, game stands and rides for young and old just like at a fairground. And Sandhausen's was no different. And as customary, they invited their partner town in France, Lège-Cap Ferret, to participate in their celebrations, and that is where the French firemen and oysters came from. We've been going there for the oysters (nooo!! not for the firemen...) for at least 5 years, and decided that this year will be no different. However sorry folks, no pics of the Flammkuchen or the oysters as all hands were busy either feeding myself or feeding the children. However since we were too busy enjoying oysters and going for rides after that, this was what we had for dinner :
It's my version of Bratkartoffeln, or German Fried Potatoes . A sorta homage to the Kerwe food that is always fried and bad for you (why is 'fried' always followed with 'bad for you'?) like Currywurst (sausages smothered in curry ketchup) with Fries, Steak sandwich and Fries, Bratwurst (more sausages), various kinds of hot dogs and and other bad-for-you-but-yummy-nevertheless things with more Fries (calle Pommes Frites or simply Pommes here). So I made a Kerwe food lookalike with potatoes, sausages and a few alibi vegetables and fried them altogether of course. With a few fried eggs on top. Enough fried yet? Okay okay have some salad on top. Or a few grapes afterwards. But at least I used quality canola oil and not the re-used saturated stuff so I don't feel toooooo guilty about feeding my kids with it. It is yummy, checks most of the important food groups and can be cooked in 15 minutes if you have leftover potatoes and whatever vegetables in the fridge (this being a half-German household, we always have leftover potatoes in the fridge, the other half being rice).
Bratkartoffeln (serves 2 adults and 2 toddlers)
4 large boiled potatoes cut into bite sized chunks
2 onions cut roughly into the same size cubes as the potatoes
1 leek, sliced as small as your kids will eat them
A handful of mushrooms cut into quarters
2 or 3 sausages (I used turkey) chopped into roughly the same size as mushrooms
4 eggs or less if someone does not want it as a topping on their potatoes
3 tablespoon oil for frying
1/4 cup apple juice
Shakes of salt and black pepper
A dash of garlic powder, dried rosemary and paprika to add to the flavour
A sprinkling of chives or spring onions for crunchy green-ness on top.
Ready? Set. Go!
I usually cut the potatoes and vegetables into roughly the same size so that they cook at the same time. The potatoes are meant to be brown for extra crispiness and the onions and leek slightly are supposed to be caramalized but it is up to you how brown or un-brown you want this dish to be.
So I add the oil to the hot pan and add in the onions and leek, followed by the potatoes, mushrooms and sausages. Leave them to sizzle and brown on their own for a while until you cannot resist the urge no more and want to stir them. It is okay for the veg and potatoes to have brown bottoms - just flip them casually so the other sides get equally bronzed and gorgeous too. Add the seasonings and herbs and coat the potato mixture. Then when you think that it's getting too dry, add the apple juice to help everything meld together into a yummy mess.
Finally just before serving, add the eggs on top and put a lid on the pan. Then turn it off, sprinkle some chopped spring onions on top and get the kids to help you set the table.
Et Voila!
Mission accomplished.
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