ALL THINGS GERMAN

COOKING GERMAN FOOD FOR FRIENDS IN TEXAS

By Unknown - 11:44 PM

The most common question I am asked by people at home is, "What the heck do you eat in Germany?" I can assure them I do not live off sausage and pretzels (although I probably could, albeit shortening my lifespan) all I want, but instead I decided to show them. I invited some wary gal pals for dinner to taste some of my favorite German dishes. Going into it, ideas flooded in about what to make, but the grocery store had ultimate decision making power and lucky my local HEB served pretty well. Heck, I even found Spätzle!

Bread, Butter & Cheese


My mom found German bread mix in the international aisle at the grocery store and immediately dusted off the bread maker that's been in the garage for easily 5 years. I must say though, it turned out pretty great. It was dense, as German bread should be, and had a nice flavor that went well with plain butter or the cheeses. The cheese pictured is far from German though (Havarti with jalapeño peppers).




Spätzle


I was actually shocked to find this at my local supermarket, even in the German section. I had to buy it. It served its purpose, but certainly is no where close to doing this special food justice. Spätzle is the German version of an egg noodle and homemade they are that perfect comfort food. Someday, I will get myself a Spätzle press.


Maultaschen


I have talked about the mouthful of awesome that is maultaschen here before. These suckers took the most work, but also had the biggest most payoff. I could not find fresh noodle dough in my area, so instead I went to the local Asian food market and purchased won ton wrappers. They were already cut into squares and easily stuck to each other, which sped up the process a lot. They were a much thinner than the noodle dough, but it actually helped you taste all the flavors in the stuffing more.




Bratwurst


What's a stereotypical German meal without some brats? I'm pretty sure my friends would've been in shock if there weren't sausages on the table.


Everything minus the Bavarian Style Potato Salad


How could I forget to photograph the potato salad? Oh, and just the normal salad with a sunflower oil + lemon juice + mustard vinaigrette. So, here we have grilled bratwurst, maultaschen topped with sauteed onions, beef broth sauce + spatzle, and white cabbage slow cooked in apple vinegar.



Let's not forget dessert...

Apfelkuchen (Bavarian Apple Tort)


I used this recipe and I've gotta say, OUT OF THIS WORLD. It was a mega hit, especially when served up with some whipped cream. Until Germany, I never knew my extreme love for baked apples with cinnamon, but oh man it's a big love.


Milka Chocolate Bars


These put Hershey's to shame. Sorry 'bout it.

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23 comments

  1. DaddioAugust 15, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Considering that most of North Houston & Central Texas were settled by Germans, and Houston has a local Oktoberfest,I would have thought the locals more knowledgeable about German cuisine?

    Thought you might have included some potato pancakes, sauerkraut and, of course, the obligatory, weinerschnitzel

    Glad you are enjoying your stay and are educating the Houston/U.S. provincials.

    Love you,

    Daddio

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  2. BaileyAugust 15, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    You just made me miss Germany a little. The food was pretty amazing- and, i'm still paying for it, a little too much cheese and bread while I was there, LOL! When do you go back?>?

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  3. KatrinAugust 15, 2012 at 1:45 AM

    I think you know how much I love this post...German food. Hach...

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  4. eenyAugust 15, 2012 at 2:08 AM

    Mmhh yum.
    Southern German food is the best =)
    Maultaschen, Spätzle, Apfeldatschi, potato salad (w/o mayo)...

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  5. PatriciaAugust 15, 2012 at 3:52 AM

    It all looks delicious to me. I know I would like German food if I ever get the chance to visit.

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  6. diana santelliAugust 15, 2012 at 4:48 AM

    Wow. You cooked all this?? What an amazing job! I've heard there are a lot of Germans/people with German heritage in Texas? is that true? When i was living in NJ, i found the Schwarzbrot at my local farmers market type grocery store which was awesome, but that was the extent of German foods I found.

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  7. Alyx Garner (@adodds)August 15, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    I MISS GERMAN FOOD.

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  8. AnneliseAugust 15, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Bread, butter and cheese? Apple tart? Sign me up!

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  9. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    These dishes are more unique to my region of Germany and less what people had heard about. Most people have tried schnitzel and sauerkraut is a winter dish in Germany, so I tried to branch out :)

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  10. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    ha paying for bread and cheese there, mexican food here, i can't win. I fly one week from today! eek

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  11. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:04 PM

    I was surprised how not-so-impossible it was to pull off here!

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  12. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:16 PM

    right on... it was so good and everyone else LOVED it too

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  13. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    You should see if there is an authentic German restaurant nearby you!

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  14. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    It seriously took all day - good thing I've had lots of free time since I've been home! And you are right, there is lots and lots of German heritage in Texas so maybe that's why it was a bit easier to find. Our water park in New Braunfels (settled by Germans) is called Schlitterbahn and is the #1 park in the country!

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  15. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    You know, I did too, and did not really imagine I would. I think I miss the brezels more than anything though...

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  16. ifs ands & buttsAugust 15, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    You should make the apple cake - seriously easiest recipe ever and sooo yum!

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  17. amandapoverseasAugust 16, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    I do enjoy spatzle, and those chocolates are better than Hersheys. I have not yet had Maultaschen, but you're the second blogger I've read posting about it, so I guess I need to do so lol. I am looking for German recipes so one of these days I will have to try that apple cake.

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  18. ifs ands & buttsAugust 16, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    You MUST try Maultaschen - it's my favorite German dish hands down. It's like a big German ravioli! And the story behind them is funny too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maultasche#Origin_and_etymology

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  19. KatrinAugust 17, 2012 at 4:27 AM

    Yeah, that's pretty awesome!

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  20. rebeccaAugust 18, 2012 at 4:47 AM

    I wish they had all Milka stores here. I miss living in Germany and being able to get them everywhere/ Though I have seen them in walmart however, the selection sucks. And you know what my favorite German dish is? I'm totally obsessed with Bratkartoffeln mit Zwiebelen ....so yummy

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  21. ifs ands & buttsAugust 18, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    oooohh yeah those are so good! Then again, I love anything with onions so I'm so glad Germans love them too. I can't believe you found Milka in Walmart!

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  22. MoAugust 19, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Looks awesome and kudos to finding everything you need!

    And btw, Havarti [as a Danish cheese] stuffed with Jalpenos [or at least Chilies] is readily available in Germany. You can get it at Aldi and Lidl, of all places.. (in slices, though).

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  23. Karen TisdelSeptember 21, 2014 at 2:19 AM

    Im still looking for a source for Schwartzbrot, authentic...any ideas?

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