'Heaven and Earth' a German dish

This recipe is a traditional German dish called Himmel und Erdem which means Heaven and Earth. It is actually a combination of mashed potatoes and applesauce with a garnish of onions and bacon. It is perfect with sausages or pork and is also good with baked ham.

Any apples that are good for baking -- Macintosh, Cortland, Jonathans -- would be fine to use in this recipe. German Applesauce 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound cooking apples, peeled, cored, quartered 3 to 4 teaspoons sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional 1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, nutmeg 2 ounces melted butter 2 onions, peeled, chopped 4 slices bacon

Cook potatoes in boiling water and salt, about 10 minutes. Add apples and simmer until both are soft. Mash mixture or put through a food mill or processor.

Add sugar and lemon juice and mix well. If apples are very tart you may not need lemon juice. Add cinnamon and nutmeg if desired. Add butter and mix well.

Saute bacon until crisp, then saute onions in bacon fat. Sprinkle over apples and potato mixture ans serve.