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Apfel-Maultaschen – Apple Filled Ravioli Recipe

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Maultaschen are loosely equivalent to ravioli in Germany, and can contain any number of fillings, sweet and savory.  In Bavaria, it is common to have a sweet filling such as apple. There are also several ways of creating the dough. Some recipes call for a potato dough (which is the traditional way) or a typical flour dough.

This recipe is an adaptation of a Bavarian recipe I came across online which uses a potato dough. Enjoy!

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Portions: 4.

Ingredients:Apfel-Maultaschen

  • 2 pounds potatoes (slightly ‘stale’ works well)
  • 150 grams flour (approximately 5 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tbs ghee (melted butter)
  • 5 apples
  • butter
  • sugar
  • 10 ounces milk
  • 150 grams sugar (approximately 5 ounces)

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Kohlrouladen – Stuffed Cabbage Recipe

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This is a German staple food, and can be found at most restaurants.  The cabbage leaves are carefully parboiled and then stuffed with a seasoned ground meat mixture.  Serve with boiled potatoes for a hearty meal. (Adapted from In-Berlin-Brandenburg.com.)

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: 2 hours.
Portions: 4.

Ingredients:

  • 1 white cabbage
  • 1 stale bread roll
  • 1 onion
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pint chicken or beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream

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Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt.1

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Rumtopf is a longstanding German tradition in which various fruits are collected and preserved in rum for months. As is the case with wines, this gets better with age if done properly. There are special pots that one can purchase to preserve and maintain the necessary conditions. Imagine my giddiness when I saw that one of my favorite “go to” German shops began carrying them.

The Rumtopf at the German Deli is not only visually appealing, but also the perfect size to make a batch big enough to share over the holidays with friends and family. This is an item that can be passed down to your kids to keep your German traditions alive. That’s why I have already ordered mine.

In Pt. 2, we will look into how to prepare our Rumtopf.

See also:

Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt.2

Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt. 3

German Traditions

Rotkohl – Red Cabbage Recipe

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Rotkohl is a staple in Germany. While there are good German red cabbage products at places like ShopRite, making it from scratch can be very satisfying. Here is a great recipe that will remind you of Oma’s home cooking.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 minute.
Portions: 6.

Ingredients:rotkohl

  • 1 medium head red cabbage, cored and sliced
  • 2 large tart apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1 medium sweet onion, sliced and separated into rings
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 whole peppercorns
  • 2 whole allspice
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons cold water

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Faschings-Pfannkuchen – Carnival Jelly Donuts Recipe

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Also called Berliner in Northern Germany, these are tasty jelly-filled doughnuts or rounds, that are not only a staple of Faschings (Carneval), but also Silvester (New Years Eve).  While many Germans will pop into their local bakery for a fresh batch the morning of the festive day, these can also be made by hand within a few hours.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: 2 hours.
Portions: 2.5 dozen.

Ingredients:Berliner Doughnut

  • 4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 package fresh yeast
  • 1 1/4 cup lukewarm milk
  • 3 Tbs. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3 1/2 Tbs. butter, softened
  • 4 egg yolks (reserve whites, see Step 8 )
  • canola oil for frying

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Gurkensalat – Cucumber Salad Recipe

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German restaurants typically serve various salads with a meal.  It could be as simple as Weisskraut and Mohrrüben, but there is always some colorful arrangement of vegetables to accompany the dish.  One such salad is cucumber salad.  This is a nice salad anytime of year, but would be especially nice on a warm, Spring day.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes.
Portions: 3 – 4.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large salad cucumbers (English cucumbers would work nicely)
  • 1 red onion
  • 1/2 c. heavy cream
  • 2 tbs. white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbs. sugar
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • fresh parsley
  • tarragon
  • fresh dill

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Eierpunsch mit Rotwein – Egg punch with Red Wine Recipe

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This is a festive holiday drink, made to serve family and friends to celebrate Christmas and New Years (Silvester).  You may also substitute the wine with a non-alcoholic version.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes.
Portions: 2 – 3.

Ingredients:Eierpunsch

  • 1 bottle of red wine (750 ml)
  • 4 eggs (or 8 egg yolks)
  • 5 tablespoons of sugar
  • one packet of vanilla sugar
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 2 cloves
  • splash of lemon or lemon juice

Preparation:

  1. Whisk the sugar into the eggs (or egg yolks) and add a little cold red wine, and then beat vigorously.
  2. Add the vanilla sugar, mixing in thoroughly.
  3. Add the remainder of the red wine and heat with some cinnamon, cloves, and lemon juice.
  4. Just before it comes to a boil, remove the pot from the heat. Strain and let cool a bit.
  5. Serve hot and foamy.

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Zeppelin Hall – Jersey City, NJ

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Zeppelin Hall

We have been waiting for ages to have a beer garden (or biergarten) nearby.  Well, apparently our wait is over! Sometime very soon, there will be a grand opening for Zeppelin Hall.  It is located in Jersey City, New Jersey, right near Liberty State Park.  It is going to accommodate over 800 people, and they are family friendly, even offering a kid’s menu.

They seem to be trying to replicate a Munich beer garden, which is perfectly fine by me.  I can not express the joy I felt at seeing their website!  Can’t wait to try all those beers…. 🙂

UPDATE!

Zeppelin Hall just posted their grand opening! June 26, 2009 – THIS FRIDAY!  Unfortunately we’ll be away, but as soon as we’re back, we are there with lederhosen and dirndl on!  See you there.

Baumkuchen – Tree Cake Recipe

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While traditional Baumkuchen would be impossible to create in a home kitchen, it is possible to make a mock version which is almost as good.  This recipe requires some work, but will go well with coffee, especially around the holidays.

Difficulty: normal.
Preparation Time: 45 min.
Portions: 8.

Ingredients:
  • 7/8 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • 7/8 cup cornstarch
  • 5 1/2 ounces almond paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 6 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 9 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

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