Isabell's german potato salad

by Patti Burke-Beringer
(Milwaukee, WI)

This recipe was passed down from my grandmother. She was born and raised in Milwaukee. Isabell could not speak english until she went to school. My greatgrandmother was a cook for wealthy people and taught her daughter Isabell how to cook. As we were growing up, my grandmother lived with us and loved to cook. Her cooking was outstanding. As we got older, my sister Sue and I learned how to make her famous german potato salad. Everyone that ever tasted it, thought it was the best they ever had. My grandmother lived until 92 years young. She is still in our hearts. This recipe was never written down. She made it from memory and taste. Here is the recipe----

Isabell's german potato salad

1 bag of red potatoes
1 lg. sweet onion-diced
1 lb. lean bacon-cut in small pieces
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup white vinegar
pepper to taste
flour for thickening
Boil potatoes until just done. You dont want to overcook them or they get waterlogged.
Let potatoes cool and then peel and cut into small pieces.
In a large non-stick pan, fry cut up bacon until crisp. Set aside. (also set aside some of the bacon grease)
With the same pan and a little bacon grease, cook onions until tender. Mix onions into bacon and set aside.
In a large pot add the sugar, water and vinegar. Bring to a boil. (make a flour paste with 1/4 cup flour and water) Wisk flour into boiling liquid until you get the thickness you want. If it gets to thick, add a little water. Put bacon and onion into brine (liquid). Turn off heat.
Stir and taste. Add, sugar, water or vinegar as needed to your taste. Sprinkle pepper on.
Add potatoes to brine and stir gently.
Pour into a baking dish. Put in preheated oven at 325 degrees, uncovered. Bake until the top is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. The baking part came from my sister Sue. That makes all the difference in flavor. Enjoy!