bringing german food to texas.
Just to prove I have done other things besides watch television shows during my time home…
By a mile, the most common question I am asked by people at home is something like, “What the heck do you eat in Germany?” You can tell people all you want, but in this case, I decided it was the perfect excuse for a get together and show off some of my favorite German dishes. I had ideas of what to make, but the grocery store had ultimate decision making power and lucky my local HEB served pretty well. Heck, I even found Spatzle!
Bread, Butter & Cheese
My mom found German bread mix in the international aisle at the grocery store and immediately dusted off the bread maker that’s been in the garage for easily 5 years. I must say though, it turned out pretty great. It was dense, as German bread should be, and had a nice flavor that went well with plain butter or the cheeses. The cheese pictured is less than German, as it is a Havarti with jalapeño peppers.
Spatzle
I was actually shocked to find this at my local supermarket, even in the German section. I had to buy it. It served its purpose, but certainly is not the best I’ve ever had. Spatzle is the German version of an egg noodle and are very uniquely delicious, especially when homemade. I will have to get myself a spatzle press.
Maultaschen
I have talked about the mouthful of awesome that is maultaschen here before. These suckers took the most work, but also have the most payoff. I could not find fresh noodle dough in my area, so instead I went to the local Asian food market and purchased won ton wrappers. They were already cut into squares and easily stuck to each other, which sped up the process a lot. They were a little thinner than the noodle though, but I think it actually helped you taste all the flavors in the stuffing more.
Bratwurst
What’s a stereotypical German meal without some brats? I’m pretty sure my friends would’ve been in shock if there weren’t sausages on the table – just keeping the stereotype alive I guess.
Everything minus the Bavarian Style Potato Salad
How could I forget to photograph the potato salad? Oh, and just the normal salad with a sunflower oil + lemon juice + mustard vinaigrette. So, here we have grilled bratwurst, maultaschen topped with sauteed onions, beef broth sauce + spatzle, and white cabbage slow cooked in apple vinegar.
Let’s not forget dessert…
Apfelkuchen (Bavarian Apple Tort)
I used this recipe and I’ve gotta say, OUT OF THIS WORLD. It was a mega hit, especially when served up with some whipped cream. Until Germany, I never knew my extreme love for baked apples with cinnamon, but oh man it’s a big love.
Milka Chocolate Bars
These put Hershey’s to shame. Sorry ’bout it.
Considering that most of North Houston & Central Texas were settled by Germans, and Houston has a local Oktoberfest,I would have thought the locals more knowledgeable about German cuisine?
Thought you might have included some potato pancakes, sauerkraut and, of course, the obligatory, weinerschnitzel
Glad you are enjoying your stay and are educating the Houston/U.S. provincials.
Love you,
Daddio
These dishes are more unique to my region of Germany and less what people had heard about. Most people have tried schnitzel and sauerkraut is a winter dish in Germany, so I tried to branch out
You just made me miss Germany a little. The food was pretty amazing- and, i’m still paying for it, a little too much cheese and bread while I was there, LOL! When do you go back?>?
ha paying for bread and cheese there, mexican food here, i can’t win. I fly one week from today! eek
I think you know how much I love this post…German food. Hach…
I was surprised how not-so-impossible it was to pull off here!
Yeah, that’s pretty awesome!
Mmhh yum.
Southern German food is the best =)
Maultaschen, Spätzle, Apfeldatschi, potato salad (w/o mayo)…
right on… it was so good and everyone else LOVED it too
It all looks delicious to me. I know I would like German food if I ever get the chance to visit.
You should see if there is an authentic German restaurant nearby you!
Wow. You cooked all this?? What an amazing job! I’ve heard there are a lot of Germans/people with German heritage in Texas? is that true? When i was living in NJ, i found the Schwarzbrot at my local farmers market type grocery store which was awesome, but that was the extent of German foods I found.
It seriously took all day – good thing I’ve had lots of free time since I’ve been home! And you are right, there is lots and lots of German heritage in Texas so maybe that’s why it was a bit easier to find. Our water park in New Braunfels (settled by Germans) is called Schlitterbahn and is the #1 park in the country!
I MISS GERMAN FOOD.
You know, I did too, and did not really imagine I would. I think I miss the brezels more than anything though…
Bread, butter and cheese? Apple tart? Sign me up!
You should make the apple cake – seriously easiest recipe ever and sooo yum!
I do enjoy spatzle, and those chocolates are better than Hersheys. I have not yet had Maultaschen, but you’re the second blogger I’ve read posting about it, so I guess I need to do so lol. I am looking for German recipes so one of these days I will have to try that apple cake.
You MUST try Maultaschen – it’s my favorite German dish hands down. It’s like a big German ravioli! And the story behind them is funny too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maultasche#Origin_and_etymology
I wish they had all Milka stores here. I miss living in Germany and being able to get them everywhere/ Though I have seen them in walmart however, the selection sucks. And you know what my favorite German dish is? I’m totally obsessed with Bratkartoffeln mit Zwiebelen ….so yummy
oooohh yeah those are so good! Then again, I love anything with onions so I’m so glad Germans love them too. I can’t believe you found Milka in Walmart!
Looks awesome and kudos to finding everything you need!
And btw, Havarti [as a Danish cheese] stuffed with Jalpenos [or at least Chilies] is readily available in Germany. You can get it at Aldi and Lidl, of all places.. (in slices, though).