Rustic German Farmer's Bread (No yeast or kneading) Broetchen Small German Rolls Kummelweck (Small Caraway Buns) Weizenmischbrot (Mixed Grain Bread) Bauernbrot (German Farmer's Bread) Jewish Corn Rye Bread (From the German Jewish Settlers)   Give us this day our daily bread, was certainly the staple for most of our distant German family and relatives. Potatoes only came into popularity several hundred years ago. Bread was the staple and I remember my grandma telling me they would make it and she would take it to the town baker to have it baked. So why make your own bread. I think that it gives you a sense of oneness with what your eating and a connection that you wouldn’t get otherwise. Not that bread made by someone else is not as good. It is also fun to see the process work. To see the starter develop, become bubbly and develop flavor. Like anything else, your bread will get better and better as you bake it. It all tastes good and the German tradition is you use the stale bread to make more bread or use it in dumplings, as a binder or to thicken a soup. Nothing is wasted. A while back a nice lady, Corliss Cogan wrote to me about her experience baking bread in a German Backhaus. Our oven was an ancient stone oven, with these old steam vents...It's the addition of steam that helps to form the crust. When we would remove the bread we would mist it down with a hose!!! We baked in bamboo baskets that afforded a lovely texture on the bread. To this day, when I bake bread, I spray inside the oven while I'm baking to enhance the crust! The flours are different, and rising times are longer. I guess we just milled the heck out of everything. No yeast was used, ever. Ancient ..."Mutters or "mothers", in English, (this is like a sourdough starter) would be mixed in tubs with leftover loaves of old bread, water added, maybe a few beers, and that would ferment overnight for the next day. Americans don't know what good bread is...It's the one true thing I really miss. I guess that's why Atkins hasn't caught on over there. Bread actually is a nutritionally good thing. Some bakeries have huge loaves you can buy slices or chunks of!!! The possibilities are endless. This, combined with the fact that you actually walked to the bakery for your morning rolls, hot from the oven and walked back again is just a thing of beauty. Buy Wheat Flour from Germany Here As to the flour, I always buy new flour at the health food store as it contains more nutrients and makes for a better consistancy...better gluten.Keep the dough wet. One big mistake is working in too much flour. I knead the dough in the Kitchen aid and then just put it in the form...don't roll it out, form a loaf etc. The bread just gets too heavy and dense. Since you already have a heavy and rather dense dough due to the flour (whole grain) there is no need to overwork it! So, wet dough, the shape will come when it rises. While baking, create "Schwaden", or steam. I use a plastic spray bottle and open the oven just a crack and spray inside! This creates steam that helps form the crust. I do this often and also occasionally I spray the loaf, itself. I put cheap mexican tiles (saltillo tiles, 99 cents at Home Depot) on the botton of the oven to create a stone oven with a constant radiant heat. I forgot to mention that the wooden baking baskets (bannetons) can be found at SurLaTable, a kitchen equipment store. They also have a web site of the same name. Not too expensive and also attractive, they can double as bread baskets to serve your little bread beauties!   9 inch Banneton Proofing Basket Set By Bread Bosses for Professional & Home Bakers (Sourdough Recipe) w/ Bowl Scraper & Brotform Cloth Liner for Rising Round Crispy Crust Baked Bread Making Dough Shape Loaf Boules     Where to buy Authentic German Bread in the U.S.   An Easy Bread to get you in the mood to make German Bread, no kneading no rise time.... Rustic German Farmer's Bread   This dense rustic bread is made of wheat and rye flours but no yeast. the bread raises only slightly due to the soda and buttermilk. I had no idea that the German's made a soda type bread until a reader Robin Sheldon introduced this to me. She adds wheat germ to her recipe and bakes it in a rectangle casserole dish. Broetchen In Germany it is customary to walk to the bakery everyday and get fresh rolls that are called Broetchen They are great to start your day with, cutting them and making a sandwich with Leberkäse, or other cold cuts. "Brotchen" means ´small bread. it is called a Semmel, or a Weck in South Germany; Schrippe in Berlin; Rundstuck in Hamburg; Roggelchen in the Rhineland . There are varieties, such as "Zwiebelbroetchen" (onion), "Kaesebroetchen" (cheese), or Schinkenbroetchen (ham). You may find it interesting that it uses whipped egg whites in the recipe. This is a technique used in other breads like French Bread to give the crumb a lighter texture. There are many recipes to make these and different variations.   Kummelweck One of the variations is a style found in Buffalo NY that they use for their famous dish Beef on a Weck. Here is a recipe for Kummelweck roll   Cookbook Special   A recipe book and short biography of my Grandmother Emma Block. Her recipes, culture and cooking styles that were brought over from Germany. How they evolved when she came to America in the early 1900s and settled in Portland, Oregon on the west coast of the United States. Over 100 recipes to order just the cookbook with the CD Bonus Recipe CD with the Ebook and recipes with step by step pictures     Goulash Ebook 10 Goulash recipes   1.5 oz package (1/3 cup) of Goulash Spice Mix enough to make most of the recipes. Order the Cookbook and Eintopf Special Here 18.97 plus S/H order just the Goulash Spice 2.97 plus S/H Order Just the Cookbook     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     Weizenmischbrot Mixed Wheat Bread Weizen = wheat , misch = mixed, Brot = bread This is nice easy to make yeast bread using a mix of different grains. Unlike many of the German breads that have a very sticky moist dough that takes practice to work with this is a firm bread but not dry that is good for sandwiches, toast and great just by itself. This bread was introduced to me by Roy Denman who sent me a pic of his Weizenmischbrot that he bakes in oblong loaves and docked on top. Either way works well.   Go here for the recipe for Weizenmischbrot     Bauernbrot German Sour Rye and Wheat Bread   This bread recipe uses a minimal amount of dark rye and you make a starter to sit overnight before making the dough. It may be hard to find Dark Rye, I get mine on Amazon.   Organic Dark Rye Flour Bob's Red Mill 2 pack of 1.6 oz. bags Go Here for the Recipe for Bauernbrot , German Sour Rye Bread   Jewish Corn Rye Bread   Making rye bread is an art that takes practice but truly worth the effort. Why is this bread called Jewish? The Jewish population that settled in New York made famous what are called "New York Delicatessens", with cured meats and rye breads that were native to where they came from in Germany. There is no corn or cornmeal in this recipe, I believe it gets its name from the fact that in Germany Korn is the word for grain. This is a unique bread  has a 48 hour starter using an onion half in it and a very "wet"dough that takes a little practice to get it into a loaf. The loose dough makes the flavor better and a lighter crumb.   Go Here to make Jewish Corn Rye Bread with Step by Step Pictures     German Bread Making Video     Baking Bread with Bannetons   Germany's Heritage of Bread Bread Village is located on the East Coast. Christopher ships out affordable bread from Germany.   The German Deli has also has some great breads from Germany for sale German Deli Bread Selection       Karin Elliot born and raised in Germany is a chef and wonderful friend giving me encouragement through the years here and donated her recipes for our newsletter. She also does wonderful volunteer work like providing meals for school children in need in Tuscon, Arizona. Many German-Americans and German immigrants are interested in Native American items from books and movies to jewelry and arts and craft supplies. Karin will take care of you personally with her online store Native Rainbows

German Music   Muss i denn - Heimat und Volkslied   History: A folksong written in the Swabian dialect about 1827 about a man who has to leave his lover but vows to be faithful and return to marry her. Muss i denn, muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus, Städtele hinaus, Und du, mein Schatz, bleibst hier? Wenn i komm', wenn i komm', wenn i wiedrum komm', Kehr' i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir. Kann i glei net allweil bei dir sein, Han i doch mein Freud' an dir! Wenn i komm', wenn i komm', wenn i wiedrum komm', Kehr' i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir. Wie du weinst, wie du weinst, Dass i wandere muss, wandere muss, Wie wenn d' Lieb' jetzt wär' vorbei! Sind au drauss, sind au drauss Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel, Lieber Schatz, i bleib dir treu. Denk du net, wenn i 'ne Andre seh', No sei mein' Lieb' vorbei; Sind au drauss, sind au drauss Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel, Lieber Schatz, i bleib dir treu. Über's Jahr, über's Jahr, Wenn me Träubele schneid't, Träubele schneid't, Stell' i hier mi wiedrum ein; Bin i dann, bin i dann Dein Schätzele noch, Schätzele noch, So soll die Hochzeit sein. Über's Jahr, do ist mein' Zeit vorbei, Da g'hör' i mein und dein; Bin i dann, bin i dann Dein Schätzele noch, Schätzele noch, So soll die Hochzeit sein. Do I have to, have to Leave the city, leave the city And you, my dear, stay here When I come, when I come When I come again, come again I come, my dear, to your house Can't I be with you for a while right away I really enjoy you When I come, When I come When I come again, come again I come, my dear, to your house When you cry, when you cry That I have to go Like the love was over now Even if there are, there are many girls out there My beloved, I am faithful to you Don't think that when I see others My love for you would be over Even if there are, there are many girls out there My beloved, I am faithful to you Over the year, over the year When we harvest the grapes I myself start to think If I am still, I am still your beloved We should marry Over the year, my time is over There I belong to me and you If I am still, I am still your beloved We should marry.       Die Gedanken Sind Frei (Our Thoughts are Free) by Shadow Cat History: This is a war protest type song composed most likely in the 12th century, states that even though we are not physically free our thoughts are free. 1. Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten, sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 2. Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket, doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket. Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand verwehren, es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 3. Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker, das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke. Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 4. Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen entsagen und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen. Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 5. Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen, sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen. Ich sitz nicht alleine bei meinem Glas Weine, mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! 1. Thoughts are free, who can guess them? They fly by like nocturnal shadows. No person can know them, no hunter can shoot them with powder and lead: Thoughts are free! 2. I think what I want, and what delights me, still always reticent, and as it is suitable. My wish and desire, no one can deny me and so it will always be: Thoughts are free! 3. And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon, all these are futile works, because my thoughts tear all gates and walls apart: Thoughts are free! 4. So I will renounce my sorrows forever, and never again will torture myself with whimsies. In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke and think at the same time: Thoughts are free! 5. I love wine, and my girl even more, Only her I like best of all. I'm not alone with my glass of wine, my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!     Du Du Ligst mir im Herzen History: This is an old German folk song that is believed to be written in about 1820 in northern Germany. Du, du liegst mir im Herzen du, du liegst mir im Sinn. Du, du machst mir viel Schmerzen, weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin. Ja, ja, ja, ja, weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin. So, so wie ich dich liebe so, so liebe auch mich. Die, die zärtlichsten Triebe fühl' ich allein nur für dich. Ja, ja, ja, ja, fühl' ich allein nur für dich. Doch, doch darf ich dir trauen dir, dir mit leichtem Sinn? Du, du kannst auf mich bauen weißt ja wie gut ich dir bin! Ja, ja, ja, ja, weißt ja wie gut ich dir bin! Und, und wenn in der Ferne, mir, mir dein Bild erscheint, dann, dann wünscht ich so gerne daß uns die Liebe vereint. Ja, ja, ja, ja, daß uns die Liebe vereint You, you are in my heart, you, you are in my mind. You, you cause me much pain, you don't know how good I am for you. Yes, yes, yes, yes you don't know how good I am for you. So, as I love you so, so love me too. The most tender desires I alone feel only for you. Yes, yes, yes, yes, I alone feel only for you. But, but may I trust you you, you with a light heart? You, you know you can rely on me, you do know how good for you I am! Yes, yes, yes, yes you do know how good for you I am! And, and if in the distance, it seems to me like your picture, then, then I wish so much that we were united in love. Yes, yes, yes, yes, that we were united in love.         Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz a hunter from Kurpfalz Die Westfälischen Nachtigallen - History : a song about a hunter from Kurpfalz and his joys Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz, Der reitet durch den grünen Wald, Er schießt das Wild daher, Gleich wie es ihm gefällt. Refrain: |: Juja, Juja, gar lustig ist die Jägerei    Allhier auf grüner Heid’,    Allhier auf grüner Heid’, :| 2. Auf! Sattelt mir mein Pferd Und legt darauf den Mantelsack, So reit’ ich hin und her Als Jäger aus Kurpfalz. Refrain: 3. Hubertus auf der Jagd, Der schoss ein’n Hirsch und einen Has’. Er traf ein Mägdlein an, Und das war achtzehn Jahr. Refrain: 4. Des Jägers seine Lust Den großen Herren ist bewusst, Jawohl, jawohl bewusst, Wie man das Wildpret schuss. Refrain: 5. Wohl zwischen seine Bein, Da muss der Hirsch geschossen sein, Geschossen muss er sein, Auf eins, zwei, drei. Refrain: 6. Jetzt reit’ ich nimmer heim, Bis das der Kuckuck, kuckuck schreit, Er schreit die ganze Nacht Allhier auf grüner Heid’! Refrain:  1. A hunter from Kurpfalz, He rides through the green forest, He shoots the game therefore, As he pleases. Refrain: |: Juja, Juja, the hunt is really funny All on green heath, All on green heath ',: | 2. On! Saddle my horse And put on the coat bag, So I ride back and forth As a hunter from Kurpfalz. Refrain: 3. Hubertus on the hunt, He shot a stag and a hat. He met a girl, And that was eighteen years. Refrain: 4. The hunter's lust The great lords are aware Yes, yes, yes, How to shoot the game. Refrain: 5. Well between his leg, The deer must have been shot He has to be shot At one, two, three. Refrain: 6. Now I'm never going home, Until the cuckoo, cuckoo screams, He screams all night All on green heath! Refrain:       Die Lorelei the Lorelei History: Die Lorelei," is based on a German legend of an enchanting, seducing mermaid who lures seamen to their death. Die Lorelei is a rock cliff on the Rhine, in which many ships have sunk nearby. 1. Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten, Daß ich so traurig bin, Ein Märchen aus uralten Zeiten, Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn. Die Luft ist kühl und es dunkelt, Und ruhig fließt der Rhein; Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt, Im Abendsonnenschein.   2. Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet Dort oben wunderbar, Ihr gold'nes Geschmeide blitzet, Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar. Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme, Und singt ein Lied dabei; Das hat eine wundersame, Gewalt'ge Melodei.   3. Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe, Ergreift es mit wildem Weh; Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe, Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'. Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen Am Ende Schiffer und Kahn, Und das hat mit ihrem Singen, Die Loreley getan. I don’t know what it could mean, Or why I’m so sad: I find, A fairy-tale, from times unseen, Won’t vanish from my mind. The air is cool and it darkens, And quiet flows the Rhine: The tops of the mountains sparkle, In evening’s after-shine.   The loveliest of maidens, She’s wonderful, sits there, Her golden jewels glisten, She combs her golden hair. She combs it with a comb of gold, And sings a song as well: Its strangeness too is old And casts a powerful spell.   It grips the boatman in his boat With a wild pang of woe: He only looks up to the heights, Can’t see the rocks below. The waves end by swallowing The boat and its boatman, That’s what, by her singing, The Lorelei has done lyrics translation by Lyricstranslate                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Other Past Newsletters