German Homestyle Foods

I tried to focus my food research on home-cooked foods that an average middle-class German family might have for dinner. Personally, I am more interested in the real culture of the country more so than the tourism side that most people would experience.

VEGETABLE PANCAKES†
(GEMÜSE PFANNENKUCHEN)
3/4 lbs. zucchini
2 red bell peppers
1 cup broth (vegetable, chicken or beef)
8 oz. mushrooms
1/2 cup diced onions
2 tablespoons oil
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup chopped parsley
salt, garlic salt and pepper

 

 http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fvhtT9LCKJA/TI42LD8sHqI/AAAAAAAAA1c/yZZ79qrmvO0/s1600/015+a+-+Copy.jpg
 http://www.germancookbooks.com/Free_Recipes/Vegetable%20Pancakes.pdf


'Tis the season. Here is a traditional Christmas meal originated in Switzerland but very much enjoyed in Germany on Christmas Eve. A special cooking appliance called a Raclette grill is needed to melt cheese in a certain way and is served with an assortment of vegetables like potatoes, onions, and potatoes, meats, and bread. Each guest can build the meal that he or she desires. It somewhat resembles a buffet that comes together to create one solid meal. Raclette is a cow cheese most commonly used for melting onto bread, and below is a picture of the dish and the grill needed to prepare the meal. The word Raclette was said to be introduced in the middle ages, and was a nutritious meal that peasants often put together. Notice the variety of vegetables and meats so that each person can choose precisely what they want.






http://www.germanfoodguide.com/advent-dec11.cfm

I know, it is a little cliche, but here is an example of a true German beer that locals will enjoy. Here in the Midwest we pride ourselves on our "authentic" German named beers, but there is a great difference between the beers in Germany and the U.S. Many preservatives are added to American beers to give a longer shelf life. Mass production is the culprit. German beers are often produced by smaller, local breweries, and maintain a truer taste but have a much shorter shelf life. The Dortmunder Export might be a popular beer consumed in North Rhine-Westphalia. Here is Wiki's description of the popular pilsner, "[Like all other pale lagers the beer is a pale gold colour, with a moderate bitterness from the noble hops, a lean, well attenuated body, and a crisp carbonation.]"




http://www.weideland.com/bier/bier/Dortmunder%20Union%20Export.JPG

http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/styles.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dortmunder_Export