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Crispy Fried Potatoes with a Labskaus Twist
Hearty fried potatoes paired with savoury corned beef, pickled herring, and a fried egg – a classic Northern German dish reimagined.
📖 What is it
Hearty fried potatoes paired with savoury corned beef, pickled herring, and a fried egg – a classic Northern German dish reimagined.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g waxy potatoes
- ✓ 3 tbsp maize oil
- ✓ Salt to taste
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ✓ 2 eggs
- ✓ 150 g corned beef
- ✓ 100 g pickled herring fillets
- ✓ 1 small red onion
- ✓ 3 gherkins
📊 Nutritional Information
Fried potatoes are a timeless favourite in German cooking. This version brings together the signature ingredients of Labskaus to create a dish that’s both rustic and refined. The combination of golden, crispy potatoes, flavoursome corned beef, mild pickled herring, and a perfectly fried egg makes for a true treat, especially for fans of Northern German specialities.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cook the potatoes in their skins in a pot of salted water until tender. Drain, refresh under cold water, then leave to cool before peeling.
- 2
Cut the peeled potatoes into small cubes.
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of maize oil in a large frying pan and fry the potato cubes over a medium heat until golden and crisp. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat and keep warm.
- 4
Dice the corned beef and stir it into the potatoes shortly before the end of cooking, just to warm through.
- 5
In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of maize oil and fry the eggs sunny-side up until the whites are set but the yolks remain soft.
- 6
Peel the red onion and slice into fine rings.
- 7
Chop the gherkins into small cubes.
- 8
Arrange the pickled herring fillets on plates, garnishing with the onion rings and gherkin cubes.
- 9
Serve the fried potatoes with corned beef alongside, topping each portion with a fried egg. Serve immediately.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a richer flavour, swap maize oil for clarified butter and fry the potatoes until extra crispy.
- •
Use a heavy-based non-stick pan to ensure the potatoes cook evenly without sticking or burning.
- •
The dish’s charm lies in the marriage of meat (corned beef) and fish (pickled herring), creating a robust flavour foundation.
- •
For a vegetarian option, replace the corned beef with sautéed mushrooms and omit the pickled herring.
- •
Alternatively, use spiced lentils instead of corned beef to mimic the texture and add a savoury note.
- •
A splash of apple cider vinegar over the herring and gherkins brightens the flavours with a fresh tang.
- •
For a quick vegan and gluten-free version, use plant-based oil, swap the egg for fried tofu slices, and replace corned beef with smoked tofu.
- •
The secret to this dish is balancing the crispiness of the fried potatoes with the hearty, maritime flavours of Labskaus.
📦 Storage
Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the fried potatoes in a pan to crisp them up again, prepare fresh eggs, and serve the pickled herring cold.
🍷 Pairing
This hearty dish pairs beautifully with a dry Riesling from the Mosel region, whose crisp acidity balances the robust flavours. Alternatively, a Silvaner from Franconia with its gentle fruitiness works well. For a more international touch, an Italian Vermentino with lively freshness and subtle herbal notes complements the meal wonderfully.
This Labskaus-inspired take on fried potatoes brings a taste of Northern Germany straight to your kitchen – simple, hearty, and packed with flavour. Do give it a go at home and share it around the table with your loved ones; it’s the kind of dish that warms both the heart and the belly.
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