remains

stuff you should bring home from your trip to Germany

by Eva on May 9, 2013

One of my favorite things about my new home is that it is in walking distance of a place to sit and sip a good coffee. A couple days ago I took my notebook for a stroll and sat down at one of their tables outside in the sun, the weather was just too good to pass by without enjoying it and I had some work to do. Well I had a hard time to get my thoughts together, three ladies nearby were so engaged in their conversation, that they didn’t realized, they were entertaining the whole place. Although my mum taught me not to spy on others (actually no she never did that, so I am excused) I was curious and working was no option anymore so I listened for a while. I was amazed to hear they were talking about Germany. One of the ladies was planning her next vacation in Germany and she was raving about all the nice things she is going to do and buy there. And that was the point I started rolling my eyes, she was talking about Schwarzwald Kuckucksuhr, Lederhosen and wood carvings for Christmas from the Fichtelgebirge. I was hoping for some new shopping inspirations for my next trip home to Germany, which is coming up very soon. I already started to make a list. I am the kind of person who wouldn’t survive without lists, I make lists to remind me to make lists, the only way for me to manage literary everything. If you are around here for a while you already know about my chaotic me.

Vacation time is coming up and I thought you might also visit Germany and need some inspiration for stuff to bring home or try out while there. I am sure nothing of it will be mentioned in your ordinary traveling guide. Coming up are mainly food related insiders and no dust catcher that will look good as fireplace decoration. Please check in advance for customs restrictions of the country you are living in, I don’t want you to face some jail time just because you are “accidentally” smuggling a bag full of Bratwursts on your way home.

1. Pul Biber (paprika flakes) This is not really German but very good available. Germany has a huge population of people from Turkey. They came with a lot of culture and food is a big part of that. When I had been living in my old hometown grocery shopping sometimes involved a stop at one of the small Turkey shops for flavorful tomatoes and the biggest and sweetest watermelons. Their spices are worth a glaze to, especially the pul biber: spicy but not really hot, a little tangy and full of paprika flavor. I use it on nearly everything and it is especially great for stews and soups, on eggs… And it is my go to live saver if I screwed up the seasoning of something, which never may happen.

2. Ostfriesentee I didn’t like black tea for the most time of my life, turned out I just had tried the wrong kind. The Ostfriesentee (East Frisian tea) is a dark and strong Assam blend. This tea is great to enjoy with some cream, rum (nice on a cold night) and is usually sweetened with rock sugar (Kandis or Kluntje).

3. Curry Gewürz Ketchup My family calls it schleimi ketchup. It is different from your usual tomato ketchup, more like a BBQ sauce (?). Their spice mixture is based on the famous sauce for the Currywurst in Berlin. Pouring it over spaghetti had kept me from starving a couple of times in my early grown up days, this is definitive not a gourmet tip. I still love it but don’t go by a bottle a week anymore. If you are flying consider buying a small bottle, the big bottle could be too heavy for your bag.

4. German chocolate Chocolate is my daily bread and I prefer the dark one, a few pieces melting in my mouth is another way of experiencing heaven. From time to time I need good milk chocolate. Growing up my uncle used to bring me milk chocolate with hazelnut and raisins, still love this combination but it is hard to get here in the states. Ritter Sport makes a milk chocolate with whole almonds and a dark chocolate with marzipan that I love. Although German chocolate is available in stores in the US, it can be hard to find and is always pricey. Also I am missing out the seasonal variations like spekulatius at Christmas time, summertime specials with fruits. And what kind of genius put salty cracker into milk chocolate?

5. Gummies and licorice This is Mr. F’s must have, he is totally into all the gummy goodness and licorice. I like to chew on one or two from time to time, it gives me tooth pain somehow. One big exception is the grapefruits from Haribo, they are like crack for me (I think I mentioned it already). Now this company sells some without gelatin, which is suitable for vegetarians. Again they are available in the states but just a few variations, there is so much more out there!

There is some more stuff which is not necessary on my list, but worth mentioning:

Lebkuchen (it’s just too early for that)

Knoedelmix (I like homemade better but wanted to remind you about that)

Birkenstocks, the selection is much larger in Germany, might be (but not always) cheaper

Stabilo, my favorite fine-line pens

Dr. Oetker pudding, I love it as a warm pudding on cold nights (comfort food) and a few recipes in my notebook call for the vanilla flavored. Try the caramel, so good.

Müesli, bigger selection and better taste

Blätterkrokant, another heavenly sweet thing: brittle, covered with chocolate (hard to explain?!)

WMF cookware, simply one of the best. I also look for Kaiser baking pans, my springform pan never leakes, easy to clean and is non-stick.

Quark, unfortunately I can’t bring that home with me. It is the main ingredient for a good German cheesecake. I love it on a fresh crispy roll with homemade jam.

German wines: Riesling, Muller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Dornfelder. I don’t know why, but most available German wines in the states are sweet. I think they keep the good stuff for themselves.

Sahnesteif, a white powder comes in little envelopes. You add this while you are whipping cream, it makes it firmer and keeps it this way for longer, great for cakes. I am not a big fan of whipped cream but I didn’t want you to miss out.

Erdnuss Flips, it is a totally mystery for me why it is not available in the states. Peanuts are loved by so many people here, give this flips a chance.

Eyeglass frames, every time I am in my hometown I visit my trusted Optiker (optician). Mr F and I both tried to get new glasses in the states and there is nothing wrong about the quality etc. but I get a better selection and a great service in Germany (someone told me the selection in Italy is even better). A few years ago a guy asked me if I am German because I have this fancy glasses. We talked for a while and he told me about his visit in Germany and that he loved to drive on the Autobahn. He especially liked the exit sign… Ausfahrt… fart you get it?

This is a long list of stuff you should bring home from your trip to Germany. You can say I am writing this list for a while… But I am sure there is something I didn’t thought about, so please leave a comment to continue this list.

{ 8 comments }

link love in bullet points

by Eva on April 11, 2013

Atlanta is in full bloom. These are the days between cozy cardigans and shorts. I wish I would have been better prepared for this. I am still unpacking some of the last moving boxes and finally discovered the needed summery clothes! Oh and I found my Easter decoration, bunny you are too late for the party, off duty until next year. I am looking forward to spend some time in Atlanta’s Botanical Garden. Everyone is raving about it!

It’s the weather for maxi dresses and lunch breaks in the sun. But still, nights are chilly. I like to carry my denim shirt (picture top ~~right~~ left) with me all day and pull it out when needed. It looks even better with some winkles. And I could wash it very hot if something leaks in my bag and there are yoghurt stains all over… not that this ever happened to me.

My middle sister gave me Earl Grey’s Lady Violet, knowing my love for this kind of tea (picture top right). This is definitive not your regular black tea. I really enjoy the flavors: citrussy, perfume-like and flowery. The color is pale, but pale is elegant. Sold here or here.

Although I am a lover of aprons, I somehow forget about them and end up with stains. Even worst is my habit to wipe my hands on my pants. This apron is sturdy and durable (picture right bottom), I just have to remember to put it on. Since the start of the BBQ season I have to share it with Mr. F and denim is easy on the eye, rather than flowery pink aprons…

I have a weak spot for Budapest shoes, Brogues shoes or Oxford shoes or what ever you call them… Those are so very much spring, love the colors.

Mr. F is a genius in making homemade sausage especially German bratwurst. I thought I should contribute at least a nice mustard and made Bryan Picard’s country mustard. He is a chef and blogging at The Bite House. Making mustard is so easy, you should try! This recipe leads into a flavorful and punchy mustard and is much better than anything store bought.

Little America! I stick to my position: there is always a need for a new bag. Also it’s an awesome color.

My friend Sandy from Confiture de Vivre (remember her beautiful guest post soup de fruits on 1 big bite?) and Meeta from What’s for lunch honey? joined forces and conducted a workshop in a historic building together in Weimar, Germany. Their ideas and their effort had been very successful and I hope there will be more workshops coming up. Read Sandy’s Rückblick here in German and here in English what Meeta wrote about all the fun they had.

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How to have more fun hosting a weeknight dinner party and pesto bread

by Eva on March 26, 2013

We love our friends and would like to see them more often, but there is already not enough weekend left for family and hobbies. So you are waiting for an invitation for a weeknight? Maybe everyone is waiting for everybody else. You could be the first to wing it and start a regular thing. Don’t believe just because you are working you won’t have time to prepare everything. I help you out: I put on my think hat and here are my two cents:

Team up with another friend and share the party preparations (half duty but double fun).

Be prepared, many things can be done ahead of time: shopping for groceries, setting the table and cleaning your home, cooling the drinks. You should make a plan, I believe in lists. Consider your time realistically. You got one hour? Lasagna is not going to happen. Think more: couscous, pasta… also low maintenance.

This is not the time for testing new recipes. The key is a fool-proof recipe, one you did several times successfully, a simple one is the best idea. You make hands down the best French fries in town, great this will make you look good. You are not going to impress anyone with mushy Duchess potatoes.

Make sure to hand your guests their first drink, I might be old fashion but I think it’s a duty of the host to welcome and clink glasses with every guest. After that they are on their own. Put wine and water bottles on the table or nearby, and encourage everyone to self-service but keep an eye on the coy ones, you don’t want them to dry out. Introduce your friends to your fridge. It’s totally fine to let them grab their own beer. After all you have worked all day. It’s your party and it’s time to have some fun.

Don’t be ashamed to use store bought dips like hummus. Pimp it up with a drizzle of good olive oil and dust with cumin and smoked paprika powder. This looks stunning on a nice platter. And your guests have something to nosh while you are busy in the kitchen. Bread and butter is a classic and on the table in a minute.

Make ahead: some dishes taste even better reheated like goulash. Compound butter can be made weeks earlier. It freezes well and upgrades a chicken breast, salmon, veggies, baked potato. There are tons of easy and mouthwatering slow cooker recipes out there.

For cold days: soup party! Serve a basic soup for example: consommé (or any clear soup), potato soup, tomato soup, pumpkin soup etc. Serve with a variety of add-ins and toppings for this soup: croutons, rice, bacon bites, pesto, eggs (cooked and chopped or poached), black or pinto beans, sour cream, avocado, cubed ham, grated cheese, herbs, green onions, barley. Place it in small bowls on the table and everyone can mix and match to his liking.

For hot days: salad party! Works basically the same like for soup. Make a mixed green salad and provide a nice selection of ingredients: bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, butter beans, chicken strips, red onions, sun dried tomatoes, olives, crumbled feta. I don’t know about you, but if I want to turn a simple salad into a whole meal, I just add beans and top it with an egg, and I am happy as a camper. Offer two or three different dressings: creamy like ranch dressing and tangy like vinaigrette.

Both options are easier on you when you feed guests with allergies, vegans or vegetarians. Most leftovers make a great stir-fry or stew the next day.

The most important thing is YOU! If you are a hot mess when your guests arrive, they won’t enjoy this evening. They are visiting you and want diversion from their working day. Make sure you are peachy, relaxed and ready to party. Have yourself in order and don’t worry about the food. Your friends will be happy to help in the kitchen and it’s fun. You don’t have to be finished with the meal at their arrival but you should have upgraded yourself and smile. If nothing helps, pour yourself a glass of wine and breath.

pesto bread

ingredients

about 500 g / 1 lb. pizza dough
3-5 Tbsp pesto of your choice

instructions

Reheat your oven to 200 C / 400 F and place your pizza stone inside the oven (if using otherwise grease a baking sheet).
Transfer your pizza dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll out dough into rectangular shape. Spread pesto evenly on top of the dough. Roll up the dough from the long side, form a snail, tuck under the beginning and the end.
Place into the oven and bake 25 – 30 minutes.
Remove from your oven and let cool 10 minutes before slicing.

variations

You can make your pizza dough and pesto from scratch. If your pesto contains a lot oil, use just 3 Tbsp, so it won’t squeeze out so much. Cilantro and smoked almond pesto works great, is less liquid (so you can use 5 Tbsp) and vegan.

{ 3 comments }

link love in bullet points

by Eva on March 5, 2013

I am back in business! If you are hanging around here for a while, you might have sensed, it had been quite in this small place in the internet. Well moving further to the right on the map to Georgia and remodeling a house, took away all my spare time, all the remaining time and then some more. I am not complaining. Though the last few weeks had been hard and I am not as handy as I expected, it was so worth at the end. There are still some unpacked boxes, I have to admit many things haven’t found their right places and not one room is finished yet, but I love it!

Do you know this black hole feeling? After I had been occupied mentally and physically for so long, I feel kind of empty. Making more time for myself and reading more blogs again, is the first thing on my list. Finishing the renovation and unpacking boxes is simply overrated. If you are writing a blog, know someone who does or would like to point out a blog you like, please share the link in the comments. I promise to stop by!

For now I leave you with some random stuff I found here and there and loved for many different reasons.

I am going to make this scones and I hope it will be very soon: Rosemary, Lemon and Greek Yogurt Scones
And this: You don’t have to be Jewish to love Mango Hamantaschen

Not my usual cookbook haul but I loved reading this one: The vintage Tea Party Book. It is so admirable British and vintage (hence the title), has more to offer than recipes and comes along as thick as the Atlanta phone book with a sturdy cover and thick paper (hard to winkle even for me).

This fashion blog, I know I am far away from being a fashion adviser and I should rather shut up, but I love looking at nice things. That’s why I stumble over this one in my bookmarks from time to time.

Just discovered haribo grapefruit and can’t stop eating them. I’ll keep pretending it’s a great source of vitamin C.

February was National chocolate month (I know I missed this train!). Awesome recipes on honest.com, I have an eye on the chocolate salami (don’t worry, it’s just a weird name, it tastes great). I am going to spoil you with loads of chocolate and a new recipe is coming up on this side very soon!

I go to designseed.com for inspiring color inspirations.
9 Steps to a Flawless Hors D’Oeuvres Party! I totally identify myself with step 7 (also the mum part).
This wallets are fun!
Love this atmospheric pictures on photisserie. Although the text is in German and you might not understand it at all, it’s always worth to visit and goggle.
Just discovered fly.

What to wear for 10 days in Europe! Very black though, but easy to combine and that’s might be the key to successfully pack a suitcase, which I can’t be further away from.

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cranberry and apple tart with coconut streusel

by Eva on November 17, 2012

I never got the right understanding about cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. We never connected well. Come on it’s a berry, although I never would put a raw cranberry in my mouth (never again, I learned it the hard way) I consider a cranberry as something sweet or at least in the category for sweet stuff. And don’t get me started with another Thanksgiving variation: sweet potatoes, which I adore and eat at least once a week but topped with marshmallows, no thanks, I’ll pass. Yes that’s me saying this and I am the one who loves baked camembert with lingonberry jam. This lady is full of contradictions. Maybe not even a lady, maybe I just get tangled up in contradictions.

Anyway I am sucker for fresh and seasonal food and get excited about most of the farmers market finds and that includes cranberries too. These days you can find them everywhere, tempting bright red and yet tart. They are a great source of vitamin C and fiber and a lot more good stuff. Hence cranberries are very healthy and not just beautiful in a sauce. Today they come in company with just a few sour apple pieces, together they are a nice tart contrary to the buttery of the crust and sweetness of the streusel. If you don’t have any apples on hand, don’t bother, just skip them.