Heaven and earth — apples and potatoes with crispy onions and sausage.
Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth) is a rustic Alpine dish combining two humble ingredients: apples (from the heavens) and potatoes (from the earth). Pureed together with butter, topped with crispy fried onions and sliced sausage, it's hearty, comforting, and deeply satisfying. Common throughout Liechtenstein, Germany, and Austria, this dish showcases Alpine simplicity.
Serves 4
Bring stock to a boil. Add potatoes and apples. Simmer 20 minutes until very tender.
Drain well. Return to pot and mash with butter and milk until creamy. Season with salt.
In a separate skillet, fry sliced onions in butter until golden and crispy, 15 minutes.
Grill or pan-fry sausages until heated through. Spoon mash into bowls, top with sausage slices and caramelized onions.
Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balanced sweetness.
Don't overmash — a slightly chunky texture is more authentic.
The ratio of apple to potato matters — roughly 1:1 by weight.
Make vegetarian with mushrooms instead of sausage
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for tanginess
Top with crispy bacon
Best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated for 2 days and reheated gently.
Himmel und Erde emerged from rural Alpine communities where creative use of preserved and seasonal ingredients was essential for winter survival.
Apples hang from trees (heaven) and potatoes grow in the ground (earth) — a poetic representation of the two main ingredients.
No, use fresh apples for best texture and flavor.
Per serving · 4 servings total
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