Gems from our Readers Snippets of tips and recipes and other German fun things!
German Style Shepherds Pie Use pork and sauerkraut for the base of this favorite casserole.
Well back from Thanksgiving and we are all moved in and have a nice kitchen now to cook things and share with you!
My goodness it is Christmas baking time now, and I am ready to get started. I had so many wonderful recipes from our readers that I want to share first. Next week early we will start working on Holiday baking! In fact tomorrow is St. Nikolaus Day Eve in Germany and kids will be polishing their shoes and putting them outside. More on this below.
I want to extend a hearty thank you , (Vielen Dank) to all of you that have sent me wonderful emails with tips and recipes and your encouraging words.
Continuing the subject of dumplings, I wanted to share the recipe that I used for years and years in the restaurant for a simple fluffy dump ling. I had to cook them ahead of time, so I thought I would show you this simple technique. They even freeze well too. I made a Chicken and Dumplings dish to show this off. (Hänchen Klöse) Some great recipes also from Sylvia Norris, Barb Rokitka, Trudy Mcnulty and Leslie Albritton, and some great tips from Marsha Werling, Karla Keuntzler, Einzi Johnson and Arlys Jakob.
Gert Reitner sent some really interesting music of the Seafaring folk (Volkslieder) and German Christmas music
Thank you soooo much for your contributions !!!! On with the newsletter....
December 6 is Saint Nikolaus' Day!
In Germany, 6 December is an important day for children.
On the evening of 5 December, children place a boot or shoe outside their bedroom doors, hoping that Nikolaus will fill it with presents and candy.
Sometimes someone dressed as St. Nikolaus comes to the door to inquire about the behavior of the children.
It is not easy to uncover the historic facts about Saint Nikolaus, the fourth century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6, 343. In Eastern Europe, Southern Italy and among the Greeks, he is revered most of all as the patron saint of seafaring men. The Dutch changed his name, "Sint Nicolaes," to "Sinterklaas" or "Sinterclaes."
German Christmas Markets
I am in California but I want to go to a German Christmas Market!!
Our Gift Wrapped Cookbook
with
Special Goodies
Package
Chicken and dumplings can be broken down into 2 different sections the stew and of course the dumplings. This dumpling recipe was one that I did every Tuesday at the restaurant. It is a simple recipe and a fool proof method to make these simple dumplings rise high and fluffy. One of the problems that some have with floating it on a stew is that they don't get enough steam to give them a good rise. they get as some of our friends in the south of the states say ...."cooked in the squat".
I learned from my mother-in-law to store my cookies in a sealed container with a slice of bread in with them. The cookies draw moisture from the bread. If the cookies last long enough that the bread completely dries out, just replace it. I like to buy cookies at the bakery that have been marked down, then store them with a slice of bread to freshen them up.
Great Spice to add to Dumplings!
From Karla Keuntzler
My mom would make them just about every Sunday with Sauerbraten.She always added fresh grated Nutmeg to the Knoedeldough.It made them taste besonders gute.
Simple Green Bean and Potato Soup
You don't find a lot of Green bean soups in cookbooks from the USA
In Germany it is very popular Here is a simple 30 minute meal.
I was taught a good soup from mom, when i was young, it is green bean soup, it is with frying about 5 pieces of bacon in a deep large pot, once fried, take out and add water 1/2 way and then add about 6 large potatoes cut up into small bite size. add 3 cans cut green beans, 1 ex large sour cream, boil until potatoes are soft....add salt and pepper while boiling and after to your tasting, break up all the bacon and put into the soup....its soooo good....
Happy Holidays, Ginny
Arlys Jakob and Einzi Johnson sent me pictures of the Chrysanthemum Festival that
is in Lahrs, Germany every year.
About 1 lb. of Roast Pork more or less.|
with gravy or drippings
*4 large white or Yukon gold potatoes coarsely chopped (about 2 quarts)
6 whole garlic cloves
1 cup sour cream or 1 / 2 stick butter
1 large yellow onion sliced
2 cups sauerkraut, or 1 pint jar rinsed
2 chopped apples
1 / 2 stick of butter
1. Shred the pork and layer the bottom of a 9 X 13 glass baking dish or similar that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
Add the au jus or gravy from the pork.
2. Saute the onions in a little olive oil or butter until caramelized, layer on top of the roast.
3. Layer the kraut and chopped apples on top of the onions.
3. While the onions are cooking simmer the potatoes with the garlic until tender. Mash with a potato masher or whip till coarsely smashed.
4. Layer the top with the mashed potatoes and dot with butter slices.
Bake for 45 minutes in a medium hot oven, 350°
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Seiden Knödel
(Satin Dumpling)
donated by Trudi Mcnulty
Instructions:
1 and 1 / 2 cups (200 Grams) potato flour
6 medium potatoes cooked and riced (800 Grams cooked)
3 beaten eggs
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 stick butter cut in slices
2 cups or so croutons
note: you can use mashed potato flakes or granules instead of potato flour.
Directions:
1 Combine first 5 ingredients and form balls about 2 inches in diameter.
2. Indent balls and fill with butter slice and 1 toasted bread cubes and then close it up.
3. Bring salt water to boiling in a large pot. Lower heat. Drop balls
In and simmer 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
(fry sliced leftovers in butter).
From my Oma Bloss in Nurnberg
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German Macaroni Salad
Ingredients:
6 frankfurters, sliced in 1 / 4 inch coin slices
1/4 c. bacon drippings, melted
1 T. flour
1 T. sugar1
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tablespoon onion flakes
3-4 tablespoons Vinegar
1 (17oz.) can peas, drained, plus 1/4 cup liquid
1 (7 oz.) pkg. macaroni cooked and drained
1/2 tsp. paprika
Directions:
1. Saute franks in bacon drippings until lightly browned.
2. Stir in flour, sugar, salt and onion. Gradually blend in the vinegar and pea liquid.
3. Cover over low heat, stirring frequently, until thickened. Stir in peas, cooked macaroni and paprika.
Sylvia Norris
German Spice Cookies
3 eggs
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and the pepper. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the egg mixture. Stir in the raisins and the walnuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 F for 8-10 minutes or until the surface cracks. Remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies
I order from the German Deli more frequently than ever.
I try to get in bulk to make the shipping dollars count.
Also there are sales all the time I like to take advantage of.
They are nice folks. If you don't believe me call them.
and tell them Stephen Block sent you from the German Goodies Newsletter.
Our Retail Store has moved!
Our new and improved retail store is now open in Colleyville!
The address: 5100 State Hwy 121 Colleyville, TX 76034
(817) 354-8101
Hours of operation:
Mon - Sat: 9am - 9pm
Sundays: 10am - 6pm
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Kitchen Tool Review
The Wooden Spoon
One of my favorite and most used kitchen tools.
I love the feel and sturdiness of a wooden spoon. I can use it in any
non-stick pan, The flat bottom is nice so you can scrape the bottom
to loosen food as it is cooking.
I don't mind paying for a good wooden spoon. I paid 12 dollars for mine
It seems like a lot for a spoon but I use it every day and I love it!
I really appreciate all of you that donate recipes, and help answer
folks requests. Most of the newsletter is based on what folks request and
what you donate. I love to research the recipe and then put it on here
for all to enjoy.
When you email the recipe to those that request please send the recipe to
me also at
stephen@kitchenproject.com
I am wondering if anyone has recipes for blau graut. Sorry if I have spellt this incorrectly, but I am looking for a recipe
for warm red cabbage. Also a recipe for an apricot slice which my mother used to make. Her cooking was legendary,
but unfortunately her recipes have been lost as she now has alzheimers. We all thought we knew how she cooked and
her recipes, but found that this was not the case. Much has been lost with her memory. I would be very greatful if
you could request if any of your subscribers would have these recipes.
My mother was born in Munchen and we were raised on good german food - YUM - and its still the best....
With much thanks from
Tyna Leach
Mireille Mathieu is Europes sweetheart and for such a small person ( little over 5 Ft ) she has such a big voice . I have seen her twice in live performances and she is great ! Winter in Canada was directed at the German/Canadian community !
