Bratkartoffeln (German Fried Potatoes with Bacon and Onion)

Method

1. Scrub the potatoes and put them, skins on, in a 18 cm pot with enough cold water to cover by 2 cm. Bring to the boil over high heat, then turn down to medium heat and simmer for 20 min. They're done when a knife goes in with just a little resistance; overcooked potatoes break up in the pan.

   Add in this stepWaxy potatoes, similar size 500 g

   high heat→medium heat

2. Drain and let the potatoes steam dry for a moment, then peel them while warm, holding them in a paper towel. Let them cool completely for at least 1 h (cooked the day before and chilled is best for crispness). Cut the cold potatoes into 5 mm slices.

3. Thinly slice the onion and cut the bacon into 1 cm strips. Put the bacon in a large 28 cm frying pan without oil and cook over medium heat for 4 min, until plenty of fat has melted out and the edges are lightly crisp.

   Add in this stepBacon, cut into 1 cm strips 80 g

   medium heat

4. Add the onion to the bacon fat, turn down to medium-low heat and cook for 5 min, until soft and light golden. Lift the bacon and onion onto a plate. Don't wipe the pan.

   Add in this stepOnion, thinly sliced 1

   medium-low heat

5. Frying pan: 28 cm. Add the oil to the same pan and heat over medium-high heat, then lay the potato slices in a single layer. If the pan size shows '×2', fry in two batches with half the oil each (crowded potatoes steam instead of crisping). Leave them completely alone for 6 min so a golden crust forms underneath, then turn them with a spatula and fry for 5 min more, turning once or twice more until golden all over.

   Add in this stepNeutral vegetable oil 2 tbsp

   medium-high heat

6. Return all the potatoes to the pan with the bacon, onion and butter. Season with salt and pepper and toss over medium heat for 2 min, until the butter coats everything. Turn off the heat, scatter with chives and serve straight away.

   Add in this stepButter 1 tbspSalt ¾ tspBlack pepper to tasteChives, finely snipped 2 tbsp

   medium heat