German Pizza

 

     What does Chicago, New York, California, Hawaii and Germany all have in common? Pizza of course! Once a focaccia, the first flat breads were a poor man's meal. Shaped round to fit in their small ovens, they were  baked with toppings that were commonly grown. Pizza sure has evolved since ancient times to gain the title of the most popular take out meal  in the United States, with Saturday night being the best pizza night of the week! Normally, you don't think of pizza as being German but they did create a pizza pie with all the flavors of Oktoberfest, this pizza  can be made to fit your diet or budget for a easy taste of Germany any night of the week. 

German Pizza

1 large bag frozen hash brown potatoes

1 package kielbasa sausage, summer or any Polish sausage

1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 med. size onion, sliced in rings

1 bell pepper, sliced

Garlic salt and pepper to taste

Butter for pan

Brown the hash brown potatoes till crispy. In a 9x12 buttered pan, place potatoes in the bottom, this will be your crust. If you want a bread crust, use 2 cups mashed potatoes and spread over a pizza bread crust. Slice your sausage, and I mean any polish style sausage is good. I've used chicken summer sausage and it was real good. Arrange the sliced sausage over the potatoes layer evenly.Garlic salt and pepper to taste. Top with onions and peppers then cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 mins. 

   This recipe has been in my family for decades and can be changed up with many different toppings: sauerkraut, bacon, brats, corn, different cheeses, and the potato layer can be made with left over mashed potato's, cooked sliced potatoes too, all on a pizza crust or not! . I've made it several ways and it's always a hit!