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New Years

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.

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 ›

Glühwein – German Spiced Wine Recipe

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Christmas is upon us! For anyone closely linked to German culture, that means many things, but one of the top of that list is Glühwein. If you visit Germany around the holidays, everyone knows that you MUST go to at least one Weihnachtsmarkt, and have at least one hot, beautiful, soulful cup of Glühwein. Here in the states it is very hard to find premade. If you are lucky enough to have an Aldi’s that sells liquor near by, you can usually find it there. However, some of us are not that lucky. For us, there is this recipe. I hope it warms your holidays, the way it always warms mine. Enjoy!

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 45 minutes.
Portions: 6.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (750 milliliter) bottle red wine
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 orange
  • 10 whole cloves
  • Optional – 1/2 cup rum

Read more Glühwein – German Spiced Wine Recipe ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›