Rhineland Himmel Unde Erde with Jalapeno Chicken Bratwurst, Smoked Bacon and Onion

Heaven and Earth!
    
     Himmel Unde Erde is a classic German recipe that is hearty and delicious.  Himmel unde erde is a traditional winter recipe.  This entree will keep a person warm and comfy in harsh cold weather.  Himmel unde erde translates to heaven and earth.  Apples represent heaven and potatoes represent earth.
     Traditionally, either fresh apples are cooked with the potatoes or apple sauce is added to the mashed potatoes.  Fresh made apple sauce or fresh apples cooked with the potatoes is a better choice, than adding a pre-made sugar free apple sauce product.  Himmel unde erde is best when the apples and the potatoes are only partially mashed, but many people like a smooth himmel unde erde texture.  Any kind of starchy potato can be used for this recipe.  I chose red bliss potatoes and I left the skins on the potatoes for more color.  The apples should be semi sweet or tart.  Gala apples or granny smith apples are a good choice.
     Any kind of bratwurst or German sausage is nice with himmel unde erde.  I found some chicken and jalapeno bratwurst sausages that looked quite nice at the market today.  Chicken sausages have become popular, because of the health food trend.
      There are a few traditional recipe variations for himmel and erde.  Pears take the place of apples in some recipes.  Rhineland himmel unde erde is served with blutwurst (blood sausage).  I had some blutwurst on hand.  Sometimes the warm blood sausage is sliced and set next to the himmel unde erde or a small slice of blood sausage is pan fried till it crumbles, then the crumbled blood sausage is placed on top of the himmel unde erde.  A little bit of blood sausage goes a long way, because blood sausage has a strong flavor.
     Sauteed bacon and onion is another traditional accompaniment for himmel unde erde.  Today's recipe is basically a himmel unde erde with the works!
   
     Himmel Unde Erde:
     This recipe makes 1 large serving!  While the apples and potatoes are cooking, the rest of the ingredients can be prepared.  
     Peel and core 1 granny smith green apple or a gala apple.
     Cut the apple into fourths.
     Place the apple into a sauce pot.
     Add 8 to 10 ounces of red bliss potatoes that are cut in half.
     Add enough water to cover the ingredients with 1" of extra liquid.
     Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice.
     Boil the apples and potatoes over medium high heat, till the apples and potatoes become soft.
     Drain the water off of the potatoes and apple.
     Return the sauce pot with the apple and potatoes to very low heat.
     Add 3 pats of unsalted butter.
     Add 2 pinches of nutmeg.
     Add 1 pinch of sea salt and white pepper.
     Use a heavy wire whisk or a potato masher to mash the mixture.
     Keep the himmel unde erde warm on a stove top.
   
     Smoked Bacon and Onion:
     Heat a saute pan over medium/medium low heat.
     Add 2 pats of unsalted butter.
     Add 1 strip of smoked bacon into 1 inch long pieces.
     Pan fry the smoked bacon pieces, till they just begin to lightly brown.
     Add 1 cup of chopped onion.

     Saute the onions and smoked bacon, till the onions become lightly caramelized.

     Keep the smoked bacon and onions warm on a stove top.

   
     Blutwurst:
     Heat a saute pan over medium low heat.
     Add 2 pats of unsalted butter.
     Add 3 ounce piece of blood sausage.
     Grill the blood sausage, till it crumbles apart and till it becomes lightly browned.
     Place the blutwurst on a dish and and keep it warm on a stove top.
    
     Jalapeno Chicken Bratwurst:
     Heat a saute pan over medium low heat.
     Add 2 pats of unsalted butter.
     Add 2 jalapeno chicken sausages that weigh 4 to 5 ounces apiece.
     Turn the sausages often, so they cook evenly.
     Grill the sausages, till they become browned and fully cooked.
     Keep the jalapeno bratwurst warm on a stove top.

     Rhineland Himmel Unde Erde with Jalapeno Chicken Bratwurst, Smoked Bacon and Onions:
     Mound the himmel unde erde in a shallow soup bowl or casserole dish.
     Place the crumbled blutwurst on top of the himmel unde erde.
     Use a slotted spoon to place the grilled bacon and onions around the edge of the himmel unde erde.
     Place 2 jalapeno bratwurst on top of the himmel unde erde.
 
     Viola!  A classic himmel unde erde version with a modern spicy chicken bratwurst.  Yum!  ...  Shawna