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Traditions

Silvesterbowle – New Year’s Eve Punch with Fruit

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This is a simpler version of the New Year’s Eve punch and my personal favorite. It is lower in alcoholic content than the Silvesterpunsch (avoid those hangovers!) and very pleasant to drink.

Difficulty: Easy.

Preparation Time: Very little, but best started one day in advance.

Portions: About 10 as specified, can be adjusted.

 Ingredients:

  • One 24 oz can or two smaller cans of canned fruit (strawberries, sliced peaches or pineapple chunks).
  • 750 ml bottle of white wine (preferably Riesling).
  • 750 ml bottle of champagne (not too dry).
  • Sugar.

Preparation:

  1. One day in advance: Put the canned fruit and the white wine into a large punch bowl. Keep in refrigerator until shortly before serving.
  2. When ready to serve, add chilled champagne to punch bowl.
  3. Add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, to taste.
  4. Ladle into punch glasses including pieces of fruit. Serve chilled and provide cocktail spears for the fruit pieces.

The quantities given above will be appropriate for about 3 to 4 persons. Multiply for larger parties.

Apfel Maultaschen – Apple Turnovers Recipe

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These are yummy! I have had a lot of people ask for recipes for these, and here it is finally! Enjoy!

Difficulty: Moderate.

Preparation Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Ingredients:Apfel Maultaschen

  • 8-10 apples
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Crisco
  • 1 egg
  • 2/3-cup milk
  • Cinnamon & sugar
  • Melted butter
  • Topping
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ cups sugar

Silvesterpunsch – New Year’s Eve Punch Bowl Recipe

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New Year’s Eve in Germany wouldn’t be the same without a large bowl of this, for even a meager gathering of 4 people. Very easy to make, and delicious.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes.
Portions: 11 cups, approximate.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 750 ml bottle of dry white wine
  • 750 ml bottle of dry red wine
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup dark Jamaican rum

Preparation:

  1. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a large pot, while stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Add the wines and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the rum and lemon juice.
  3. Ladle the punch into cups and serve warm.

Pfeffernüsse I – Pepper Nut Cookie Recipe I

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These are traditional German Christmas cookies, but are wonderful anytime. The nice thing about these is that they are so well-known, you can find them sold through many brands right in your local grocery store. Of course, homemade is always nice – especially when giving the gift of cookies to family and friends.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: *See recipe.
Portions: 3 – 4 dozen.

Ingredients:

  • 1 2/3 c. blanched almonds or hazelnuts (about 1/2 pound)
  • 4 c. unbleached flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. finely ground black or white pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. dry powdered mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. ground mace
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 2 1/2 sticks butter (10 ounces), softened
  • 1 1/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
  • 3/4 c. honey
  • 1/3 c. warm water
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Read more Pfeffernüsse I – Pepper Nut Cookie Recipe I ›

Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt. 3

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This is the final installation of our Rumtopf series. The recipe is very easy, it’s the wait that is difficult!

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes.
Total Time: 42 days
Portions: 10.

Ingredients:Rumtopf

  • 2 lbs fruit (strawberries, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, currants, blueberries, gooseberries, …)
  • 1 lb sugar
  • 3 cups rum

Read more Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt. 3 ›

Schwäbische Maultaschen – Swabian Ravioli Recipe

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A savory Maultaschen that is a meat lovers dream. Great hearty meal for the cold winter months, and based on the Swabian version of minced meat Maultaschen.

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

Ingredients:Schwäbische Maultaschen

Dough

  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 4 eggs
  • salt to taste

Filling

Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt.2

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So today we are going to discuss exactly what you can place in your Rumtopf. This is a very easy lesson.  You can place many fruits in there.

These are the best candidates for a good Rumtopf (make sure fruits are pitted, cored, and with stems/leaves removed, if applicable):

  • Pineapple (cut into large chunks)Rumtopf
  • Cherries (any variety)
  • Peaches (cut in halves, quarters, or slices)
  • Apricots (halves)
  • Nectarines (halves)
  • Plums (half or quarter)
  • Pears (peeled and sliced)
  • Grapes (sweet seedless red or green grapes are ideal)
  • Strawberries (don’t wash, just remove stem & leaves).
  • Raspberries (don’t wash).
  • Red currants
  • Gooseberries

Read more Rumtopf – Preserving Seasonal Fruits Pt.2 ›

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

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

Read more Faschings-Pfannkuchen – Carnival Jelly Donuts Recipe ›

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.

Read more Eierpunsch mit Rotwein – Egg punch with Red Wine Recipe ›