Kartoffelrösti mit Apfelmus (Potato Pancake served with Apple Puree)

This delicacy is normally sold at christmas markets all over Germany during Advent.  I am preparing it today on our son's request because he is crazy of it!

Ingredients (serves 2 persons):
750 g waxy potatoes (festkochende)
salt to taste
fresh cream or fresh milk
oil or ghee

Method:

Scrub potatoes clean and leave unpeeled.  In a pot, add potatoes and enough water to slightly cover potatoes.  Add a little salt and bring to boil.  Then, put the lid on and reduce heat.  Cook potatoes for about 20 minutes or until tender.  Once done, drain the water away and leave potatoes overnight. It is important to prepare the potatoes a day before.

Peel and coarsely grate potatoes into a bowl.  Add salt to taste.

Heat some oil or ghee in a small pan (about 16 cm in diameter) over medium heat.  Add half of grated potatoes to pan.  By using a flat wooden ladle, gently press the potato pancake.  Sprinkle some cream or milk on top - by doing this, the inside of your pancake will be moist instead of dry. Once the underside is brown and crispy, turn pancake over by using a plate over the pan and slide it back into the pan.  Cook until the underside is brown and crispy.

Remove to a plate and prepare the second pancake as above.  Serve pancakes with apple puree.

Apfelmus (Apple Puree)

Ingredients:
4 big apples i.e. Cox Orange
juice from half a lemon
4 tbsp sugar

Method:
Wash apples thoroughly.  Cut into quarters and remove the "bottom roots".  Leave the skins and seeds intact - these contain Pectin which is needed to give the puree its form.

In a pot, add apples, lemon juice and sugar.  Cover pot and cook apples over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until they are soft.  Then, pass through a sieve into a bowl.  Leave aside to cool down completely.

Bon Appetit!