Hot German Potato Salad ~ Grandma Bunni's

Hot German Potato Salad ~ This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a potato salad.  It makes a perfect side dish for home or for a potluck & it's also good cold.

I grew up eating Hot German Potato Salad.  Grandma Bunni always made it whenever Grandpa Al asked for it, which was often.  :)   (his parents were German & he loved his German food!)  I really enjoy making this dish whenever we've grown our own potatoes in the backyard.  I always save all the tiny potatoes that we've harvested for what has become a homegrown, veggie harvesting ritual. 

This year, I didn't plant any potatoes (just as well with all of this horribly hot weather & drought, we are under strict watering restrictions), so I've just had to make due with store bought potatoes.  This potato salad makes a great side dish that can be enjoyed anytime of year & it's also good for a potluck.  Enjoy!

 Grandma Bunni's Hot German Potato Salad

• 4 large red potatoes ~ peeled or unpeeled (or 2 cans of sliced potatoes, drained) 
• 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil 
• 1 small white onion, diced
• 1/2 cup diced celery 
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley  (or 1 Tbsp dried parsley)
  
• 2 Tbsp Dijon style mustard 
• 1/2 tsp salt  ~ or to taste
• 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper ~ or to taste
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp Hormel Real Bacon Bits
• 1 tsp melted bacon grease ~ or more, to taste (optional)     FYI ~ I keep a small jar of bacon grease in my freezer, just so I can add a touch to recipes like this.  It gives me the richness & flavor of real bacon when I use bacon bits, without actually having to fry up bacon.  Bacon is a rare treat in this house, so keeping a little grease around is a compromise.  :) 

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and chop.

While the potatoes are cooling ~ Heat oil in skillet, add onions & celery and saute until just tender.

Sprinkle flour, sugar, parsley, salt, and pepper over the cooked onions & celery. Add the cider vinegar, water, mustard & bacon bits and stir all together & cook over medium heat until the dressing is thick.

Gently toss the cooked, chopped potatoes (or the drained, canned sliced potatoes) with the hot bacon dressing & heat through.  Taste & adjust seasoning if necessary.  Enjoy!