WARM GERMAN POTATO SALAD

Warm German Potato Salad image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 pounds red bliss or creamer potatoes
3/4 teaspoon mesquite liquid smoke
3 cloves garlic, smashed
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 small red bell peppers
12 strips bacon, chopped
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
Dash of hot Hungarian paprika
3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
6 scallions, finely chopped

Steps:

Combine the potatoes, liquid smoke, garlic, a nice pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large pot; add water to just cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, 15 minutes. Drain, then rest the colander over the empty pot to dry the potatoes. Once cooled slightly, quarter the larger potatoes and halve the others. Put in a large bowl. Discard the garlic.
Char the bell peppers directly over a medium flame on a gas burner, rotating, until the peppers are black. (Or broil the peppers, rotating, until charred.) Transfer the charred peppers to a resealable plastic bag and close; let steam 5 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, remove the seeds and charred skin and chop the peppers.
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the vinegar, sugar, mustard, paprika, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper to the still-hot pan; simmer until the sugar and salt dissolve, 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and toss until they soak up the vinegar mixture.
Return the potatoes to the bowl. Add the peppers, bacon, parsley and scallions; toss.