Authentic Swabian Cheese Spaetzle

cheese spatzle

You will love this recipe for authentic Swabian Cheese Spaetzle! This local recipe comes from a region named “Allgaeu”, a very popular region of the South  that is very close to Bavaria.
It’s a region that is famous for its various dairy products: Cheese, the milk, quark and yoghurts. Because the landscape is so lovely it attracts many tourists throughout the year.
During the winter season the mountains are inviting to ski while in summer you can do the most amazing hiking and biking tours.
The Allgäu is a very relaxing place on earth, and some people say, it must have been created by God. So are the food specialties of this region. It’s Southern German food for the soul! The German Cheese Spaetzle can be found on almost every menu of the local Inns.  Enjoy the Spaetzle with fried onions and a mixed salad. Happy Cooking.

Ingredients Authentic Swabian Cheese Spaetzle

400 flour
5 eggs
1 tsp salt
about 1/4 l cold water or mineral water
or 300 g dried Spaetzle
2 big onions
salt, pepper to taste
1 tbsp Butter
300 g grated cheese (Emmenthaler, Gouda, any cheese which melts easily but don’t use processed cheese)
water with some salt
optional: chopped chives or parsley


Swabian Spätzle from Bechtle included!

german delicatessen box

Cooking Instructions  Spaetzle

– Sieve the flour into a bowl; add eggs, salt and water and mix it with a wooden spoon.
– Stir the dough until you can see bubbles. Maybe you have to add some more cold water.
– Melt butter in a skillet; peel onions and cut them in small rings. Fry them in the butter until light brown.
– In a big pot bring water to a boil. By using a wooden board or a Spaetzle maker,  make the Spaetzle. Stir often with a wooden spoon.


Find the Spätzle Maker on Amazon

spaetzle pasta maker


– When the Spätzle are floating on the surface, they are done. Remove them with a skimmer, and keep in a fireproof bowl in the oven. Before you place them in the oven sprinkle some of the grated cheese on top.
– Repeat above step until the entire dough is gone.
– Peel onions, slice them.
– In a pan with some butter fry the onions until they are brown. Alternatively you can use the already made dried onions.
– Serve Spätzle on warm plates and place some add fried onions on each portion.
– Sprinkle chopped chives/parsley on top.

As a main dish serve the Cheese Spätzle with fried onions and mixed lettuce.


Beautiful Allgäu Countryside

allgau landscape

 

Where to Buy German Bread Online?

brotbox selection

Not long ago I came across bread products that caught my attention. Of course as a German I am missing the nice baked goods. I am still in love with German rolls and bread and, I am sure you know, it’s hard to find in the USA. You can find the items either in special German stores or online. In this article I am answering this one question:

Where to Buy German Bread Online?

There are not many places to find original German rolls and bread online. Especially over the last years with all complications regarding shipping, there are only a few companies left. Let me introduce “The German Brot Box” to you!
The Brotbox is a wholesome Bakery & Makes Bread that Takes Care of you
You can eat their bread without feeling guilty because it’s made out of only a few ingredients in a true German bakery.

German Rolls from the Brot Box

german rolls and bread imported from germany

Info at One Glance
– Baked in a German Bakery
– Non-GMO
– No additives or preservatives
– Baking time varies for each rolls – Baking Instructions are on package
– Amount: Each roll comes in a 5 pack
– The order does not ship frozen but with ice packs and insulation for protection against heat

               Pumpkinseed Rolls                                             Classic Wheat Rolls                                      
pumpkinseed rolls

 

 

 

 

 

             Stone Oven Buerli                                                Potato Carrot Rolls

stone oven buerli roll brotboxpotato carrot rolls brotbox

Low Carb Multi Seed Power Rolls
low carb multi seed rolls

 

 

 

 

 


All Rolls come in a sealed Bag with Handling Instructions – 5 Pieces
Keep the bag at room temperature for a while, pre-heat the oven, then bake them as instructed. Baking time is from 10 to 20 minutes.
german rolls brotbox


Pretzel Specialties from the Brot Box

german pretzel imported from Germanygerman pretzel roll


German Bread Specialties from the Brot Box

Swiss Farmers Bread
Bake the bread per the instructions, let it cool off a bit then cut it and hear the sound of the best crust ever! The crust is crunchy and the inside is soft. So lecker! I couldn’t resist and had a slice when the bread was still warm with just some good Irish butter. So good!

swiss farmers bread
rye crust bread brotbox whole grain bread brotbox


All Your Favorites in One Box

If you love a good assortment of rolls and bread then these boxes below are ideal. You find all the goodies in one box. It’s a great selection and has something for any taste. Plus the box makes a nice gift for a beloved one. The large box comes with free shipping!

small brot box assortment medium size brotbox assortment
Large brotbox assortment


ENJOY a GERMAN BREAKFAST with other Original German Items

A German breakfast is a wonderful meal. Especially with German rolls, jam, Müsli and coffee. All these items are in the convenient breakfast box from Lovegermanfood.com.

german breakfast box

OktoberFest Events 2023 in USA and Canada

Oktoberfests usa

The Munich Oktoberfest is the most popular and the originator of the Oktoberfest. In 2023 the 188th Oktoberfest is being held on the “Wies’n” for three weekends and the days in between.
Germany’s heritage is celebrated in the USA as well and many cities from NY to Seattle are holding an Oktoberfest. We are happy to show you where Oktoberfests are celebrated by state in America.


LovegermanFood.com has an Oktoberfest Box that contains packaged German specialties that make a great side dish for any Oktoberfest. Just add fresh ingredients such as Brats or meat.oktoberfest box


OKTOBERFESTS USA

ALABAMA
Auburn Oktoberfest
September 22-23, 2023, Auburn, AL

Cullman Oktoberfest
September 28 thru September 30, 2023, Cullman, AL

AK
Rogers Oktoberfest
October 14, 2023, Railyard Park, downtown Rogers, AK

ARIZONA
Four Peaks Oktoberfest
October 13-15, 2023, Tempe AZ

Flagstaff Oktoberfest
October 7, 2023, Flagstaff, AZ

ARKANSAS
Rogers Oktoberfest
October 14, 2023, Rogers, AR

Little Rocktoberfest
September 23, 2023, Little Rock, AR

CALIFORNIA
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
September 17 thru November 5, 2023, Big Bear, CA

San Diego Oktoberfest
September 29 thru October 8, 2023, San Diego, CA

Old World Oktoberfest
September 17 thru Nov 5, Huntington Beach, CA, every Wednesday – Sunday Visit Oldworld here –

COLORADO
Vail Oktoberfest
September 15-17, 2023, Vail, CO

Keystone Oktoberfest
September 2, 2023, Keystone, CO


Bavarian Sausages
bratwurst


CONNECTICUT
Milford Oktoberfest
September 22-23, 2023, Milford, CT

DELAWARE
Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest
September 15-17, 2023, Newark, Delaware

DC
Wundergarten DC Oktoberfest
October 18- 19, 2023, Washington, DC

FLORIDA
American German Club Oktoberfest
October 13-15 & 20-22, 2023, Lake Worth, FL

Cape Coral Oktoberfest
October 20-22 & 27-29, 2023, Cape Coral, FL

GEORGIA
Helen Oktoberfest
September 7, 2023 Helen, GA

Oktoberfest Atlanta
Coming in 2024, Atlanta, GA

HAWAII
Oktoberfest Hawaii
September 24, 2023, Aloha Stadium, HI

IDAHO
Oktoberfest Old Boise
September 23, 2023, Boise, ID

Oktoberfest
September 15-16, 2023, Coeur d’Alene, ID

ILLINOIS
German American Fest
September 8-10, 2023, Chicago, IL

German American Heritage Center Oktoberfest
September 9, 2023, Frankfort, IL

INDIANA
German American Klub Oktoberfest
September -9, 2023, Indianapolis, IN

Terre Haute German Oberlandler Club Oktoberfest
September 15-16, 2023, Terre Haut, IN

IOWA
Des Monaise Oktoberfest
September 22-23, 2023, Des Moines, IA

Northside Oktoberfest
September 23, 2023, Iowa City, IA

4 day tour oktoberfest

KANSAS
OzToberfest
October 7, 2023, Wamego, KS

Oktoberfest Hays
September 29-30, 2023, Hays, KS

KENTUCKY
German American Club Gesangverein
September 8-9, 2023, Louisville, KY

Spencer County Octoberfest
October 7, 2023, Taylorsville, KY

LOUSIANA
Oktoberfest NOLA
October 13-14, 20-21,27-28, 2023, New Orleans, LA

Roberts Cove German Fest
October 7-8, 2023, Roberts Cove, LA

MAINE
Saddleback Maine Oktoberfest
October 7, 2023, Rangeley, ME

Portland Oktoberfest
October 5, 2023, Portland, ME

MARYLAND
Pierz Oktoberfest
August 26-27, 2023, Hagerstown, MD

Frederick’s Oktoberfest
September 29-30, 2023, Frederick, MD

MASSACHUSETS
Oktoberfest Massachussetts
October 14, 2023, Hadley, MA

Boylston SchulVerein Oktoberfest
September 9-10, 2023, Walpole, MA

MICHIGAN
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
September 14-17, 2023, Franken Muth, MI

Oktoberfest Grand Rapids
September 29-30, 2023, Grand Rapids, MI

MINNESOTA
Saint Paul Oktoberfest
September 8-9, 2023, Saint Paul, MN

Twin Cities Oktoberfest
October 6-7, 2023, Falcon Heights, MN

MISSISSIPPI
Desoto County Oktoberfest
September 23, 2023, Southaven, MS

MISSOURI 
St. Louis German Cultural Society Oktoberfest
September 8-10, 2023, House Springs, MO

St. Charles Oktoberfest
September 22-24, 2023, St. Charles, MO

MONTANA
Whitefish Oktoberfest
September 28 – October 7, 2023, White Fish, MT


Bavarian Weisswurst with Sweet Mustard
Bavarian weisswurst with sweet mustard


NEBRASKA
German American Society Oktoberfest
September 15-16, 2023, Omaha, NE

Oktoberfest Family Festival
September 22-23, 2023, Norfolk, NE

NEVADA
Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest
September 8 – October 31, 2023, Las Vegas, NV

Oktoberfest Las Vegas Seven-oh-Brew
September 29 – October 2, 2023, Las Vegas, NV

4 day tour oktoberfest

NEW HAMPSHIRE
White Mountain Oktoberfest
October 7-9, 2023, Lincoln, NH

Oktoberfest!
October 1, 2023, Troy, NH

NEW JERSEY 
Mountain Creek Oktoberfest
September 16-17, 2023, Vernon, NJ

Cape-May-New-Jersey Oktoberfest
September 23, 2023, Cape May, NJ

NEW MEXICO
Red River Oktoberfest
October 6-8, 2023, Red River, NM

Discover Ruidoso Midtown Oktoberfest
September 30, 2023, Ruidoso, NM

NEW YORK
Oktoberfest NY
September 8 thru October 31, 2023, New York, NY

Steuben Parade
September 16, 2023, New York, NY

NORTH CAROLINA
Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest
October 7-8, 2023, Sugar Mountain Resorts, NC

Triangle Oktoberfest
October 6-7, 2023, Raleigh, NC

NORTH DAKOTA
Oktoberfest
September 9, 2023, Jamestown, ND

Ashley Oktoberfest
October 7, 2023, Ashley, ND

OHIO
Columbus Oktoberfest
September 8-10, 2023, Columbus, OH

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
September 8-10, 2023, Cincinnati, OH

OKLAHOMA
Tulsa Oktoberfest
October 19-22, 2023, Tulsa, OK

Ponca City Oktoberfest
October 7-8, 2023, Ponca City, OK

OREGON
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
September 14-17, 2023, Mt. Angel, OR


Bavarian Roasted Chicken
roasted chicken


 

German American Society of Portland Oktoberfest
September 9, 2023, Portland, OR

PENNSYLVANIA 
Bucks-Mont Oktoberfest
September 9, 2023, Warminster, PA

Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh Oktoberfest
September 6-30, 2023, Pittsburgh, PA

RHODE ISLAND
Newport Oktoberfest
September 16, 2023, Newport, RI

Oktoberfest at-The-Guild
September 16, 2023, Providence, RI

SOUTH CAROLINA
Newberry Oktoberfest
October 7, 2023, NewBerry, SC

Oktoberfest Charleston
October 14, 2023, Charleston, SC

SOUTH DAKOTA
Deadwood Oktoberfest
October 6-7, 2023, Deadwood, SD

Remedy Brewing Company Oktoberfest
September 24, 2023, Sioux Falls, SD

TENNESSEE
Nashville Oktoberfest
October 5-8, 2023, Nashville, TN

Crossville Oktoberfest
October 20-21, 2023, Crossville, TN

TEXAS
Oktoberfest Fredericksburg
October 6-8, 2023, Fredericksburg, TX

Austin Oktoberfest
November 14, 2023, Austin, TX

UTAH
Snowbird Oktoberfest
August 12 thru October 15, 2023, Snowbird, UT

4th West Oktoberfest
September 30, 2023, Salt Lake City, UT

VERMONT
Stowe Oktoberfest
September 16, 2023, Stowe, VT

Oktoberfest Vermont Burlington
September 22-23, 2023, Waterfront Park- Burlington, VT


Bavarian Cream Dessert
Bavarian Cream Dessert


 

VIRGINIA
Lovettsville Oktoberfest
September 22-23, 2023, Lovettsville, VA

Vienna Oktoberfest
October 7, 2023, Vienna, VA

WASHINGTON
Oktoberfest Northwest
October 6-8, 2023, Puyallup, WA

Leavenworth Oktoberfest
September 29 thru October 14, 2023, Wenatchee, WA

WEST VIRGINIA
Somerville Oktoberfest
August 22 thru October 7 2023, Summersville, WV

Weathered Ground Brewery Oktoberfest
September 30, 2023, Cool Ridge, WV

WISCONSIN
Kohler Falls Oktoberfest
September 8-9, 2023, Sheboygan Falls, WI

Milwaukee Oktoberfest
October 6-8, 2023, Milwaukee, WI

WYOMING
Downtown Cheyenne Oktoberfest
September 23, 2023, Cheyenne, WY

Oktoberfest and Golf Tournament
September 17, 2023, Saratoga, WY


The Bavarian Favorites


 

OKTOBERFESTS CANADA

Spiritofreddeer Oktoberfest Alberta
September 23, 2023, Westerner Park, Red Deer, Alberta

Oktoberfest-yql
September 8-9, 2023, Lethbridge, Alberta

British Columbia
Harvesthaus Oktoberfest
September 29-30, 2023, Vancouver, British Columbia

Maplemeadowsrotary Oktoberfest
October 9, 2023, Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Winnipeg Oktoberfest
October 1-2, 2023, Winnipeg, Manitoba

New Brunswick
Oktoberfest Desacadiens
September 1-3,2023, Bertrand, NB

Newfoundland and Labrador
Oktoberfest NL
September 30 thru October 1, 2023, Mount Pearl, NL

St. John Oktoberfest
September 22-24, 2023, St. John’s, NL

 

German White Beans Salad

german white bean salad

This German white bean salad makes a great salad for your barbecue, is a nice a side dish for Bratwurst or Wiener sausages. Ideal salad for a cold supper with some fresh bread. It is very easy to make. Try it out, you will love it. Happy Cooking!

Ingredients German White Beans Salad

1 small can white beans
1 medium size onion
3 tbsp white or red wine vinegar
6 tbsp sunflower oil
3 tbsp parsley
salt, black pepper to taste

Cooking instructions German White Beans Salad

– Rinse beans in a sieve with cold water. Let drain.
– Peel onion and cut into fine rings. Combine with beans
– Chop parsley fine
– Mix oil and vinegar, add spices.
– Pour the dressing over the beans and mix well.
– Place in fridge for about 30 min.


.   . .


Strawberry Raffaello Layered Cake

strawberry raffaello cale

This is a perfect cake to surprise your beloved one for Valentine’s or Mother’s Day, or the Birthday! You also could make it for a hot summer’s day. Raffaellos bring an exotic taste to the table. It’s a rich cake indeed but doesn’t come with the old-fashioned buttery cream. Whenever you make this strawberry Raffaello layered cake serve the cake with a cup of German coffee. Happy Baking!

Ingredients Strawberry Raffaello Layered Cake

For the Base Cake
3 eggs
100 g sugar
2 drops rum flavor
50 g flour
50 g corn starch
1 tsp baking powder

For the Filling
200 g Raffaellos
500 g strawberries
600 ml heavy cream
2 packages vanilla sugar – How to Make Vanilla Sugar –
1 package whip it (Sahnesteif)
25 g grated coconut, unsweetened

Baking Instructions

– Pre-heat oven to 175 C / 350F (regular; convection is 150 C or 300F)
Separate eggs
– Beat egg whites with 3 tbsp water until firm. Add the sugar and continue beating until sugar has dissolved.
– Add the egg yolks, flavor.
– Mix flour with starch and baking powder, add to the egg cream. Mix with a spatula.
– Layer a 26cm – 10 inch – spring form with parchment paper.
– Place dough in spring form, spread even.
– Bake for 25-30 min or less, do the tooth pick test.

Make the Filling
– Cut the base cake one time horizontally.
– Chop 10 Raffaellos in pieces. Keep remaining ones in the fridge.
– Cut half of the berries into small pieces.
– Combine half of heavy cream with 1 tbsp sugar, 1 package vanilla sugar and whip it. Beat until form.
– Mix in strawberries and Raffaello pieces.
– Spread the strawberry cream on the lower piece of cake. Place the other piece on top.
– Place cake in fridge for 30 min.

– Roast the coconut pieces lightly in a non-stick pan without adding oil or butter.
– Slice remaining strawberries, keep one whole fruit.
– Beat remaining heavy cream with 1 pack. vanilla sugar until firm.
– Spread the cream around the cake and on top. Sprinkle with coconut pieces.
– Place the strawberry slices around the edges and on top like a wreath.
– Add some whipped cream into a decorating bag and squirt little flowers for each piece of cake.
– Decorate with whole Raffaellos.


.

Recipe/Photo Source

German Cake: Granatsplitter from Scratch

granatsplitter german cake

The German cake “Granatsplitter” or in English “Chocolate Mountain” is a typical cake specialty, or you could also call it a pastry.
So what is is exactly?
In the bakeries it is made out of the left overs from cakes and  a so called “Tortenboden” (layered cake biscuit). The cake left overs are mixed with a buttery cream, rum and almonds and mounted on a shortcrust cookie bottom piece up to a height of 10cm or 4 inches, so it’s shape reminds of a little mountain.
This little mountain will be completely covered with chocolate. Because the ingredients can vary the Granatsplitter is always different and this makes it so unusual. You can be very creative and use all kinds of ingredients.

In Berlin they call them “Hackstockkratze”, in the Eastern regions it is a “Punschberg” (because of the rum). For the glaze you can use dark, medium or even white chocolate. To make the dough you can use all kinds of cake rests like from a coffee cake, cookies that are left over or a biscuit base cake. The recipe below is original and authentic German. Happy Baking!

Ingredients German Cake Granatsplitter

– Makes 8 Granatsplitter –

Dough
1/2 biscuit base cake (Tortenboden) – Already made or make from scratch (500-600 g)
You can use the recipe for an Obstkuchen (fruit cake) – Find it here – 
some baking flavor: rum or vanilla (or Whisky, brandy, Amaretto etc)
75 g almonds chopped coarsely (or hazelnuts, walnuts)

Shortcrust cookies
150 g flour
1 tbsp baking powder
50 g sugar
1 package vanilla sugar 0.3 oz – How to make Vanilla Sugar –
rum flavor
2 tbsp milk
50 g butter

Butter Cream
500 ml milk
100 g sugar
250 g butter
1 package Vanilla pudding or Cream pudding, Dr Oetker

Glaze
150 g chocolate glaze or “Kuvertüre” (if you cannot get the Kuvertüre just melt 1 bar of dark chocolate like from Lindt using the double boiler method, add 1 tbsp of coconut oil and let it melt)


The German Breakfast Box comes with these Items!


Baking Instructions German Cake Granatsplitter

Make the Cookies
– Mix flour with baking powder, and sieve it on a baking board.
– Make a mold into the flour, into this mold add sugar, vanilla sugar, rum and milk, mix with some flour.
– Add cold butter that is cut in smaller pieces.
– Knead until you get a smooth dough.

– On a floured baking board or smooth surface roll the dough very thin.
– Cut out round cookies (diameter 4-5 cm or 2 inches).
Optional: If you have left over dough, you can create fantasy forms which will be used for the topping.
– Bake cookies and fantasy forms for 10 minutes on 180 C or 350 F.

Make the Butter Cream
– Make the pudding per instructions
– Place plastic foil on top to avoid skin build up.
– Let cool off completely.
– When pudding is cooled off beat briefly, then add the butter.
– Mix well until you get a smooth cream.

Make the Dough
– Crumble the cake that you will use, you need very small pieces.
– Combine crumbles with butter cream, not in one time, bit by bit.
– Add rum flavor and chopped almonds.
– If you use the left over cookie dough, cut it in very small pieces and add to the dough. It adds some crunch to the Granatsplitter.
– Knead well until you get a dough that can be formed with the hands.
– Place in fridge for 10-15 min.

Make the Mountains and Glaze
– With a spoon remove some dough, place it on the cookie and form it into a little mountain.
– Place in fridge for 1 hour.
– Melt chocolate with some coconut oil by using the  double boiler method.
– Pour chocolate over the mountain, use a BBQ fork or a spatula that has holes (see video). If you try to dip the mountain into the chocolate it might fall from the cookie.
– Place on parchment paper and let dry.


The video below is in German, but you can follow it quite easily. She shows 2 variations to create the little mountain:
Use a frosting bag or place with hand a small portion of the dough on the cookie and form the mountain.


  

Photo Source

Leipziger Allerlei Recipe – German Vegetable Dish

leipziger Allerlei

Leipziger Allerlei is a German Vegetable recipe that makes a delicious side dish. This German recipe is an original recipe from the German city Leipzig that you will love.
Leipziger Allerlei contains of fresh peas, carrots, asparagus, mushrooms or morels. You also can add green beans, cauliflower, or kohlrabi. The classic recipe adds additionally river shrimps and shrimp  butter. But it is not necessary at all to add crabs and crab butter which is hard to get in the USA. The original recipe comes with different veggies and  a sauce that contains crawdads or crayfish, craw-butter and little bread dumplings. It should be served with fresh ingredients from mid may to end of June. And it is being said that it used to be a dish fro the poor (Arme-Leute-Essen).

A Legend tells…
Beginning of the 19th century after the Napoleon wars they wanted to protect the wealthy city of Leipzig  from tax collectors and beggars. The town chronicler Matthus Hempel recommended: „Let’s hide the bacon and only serve vegetables. Who will come to us shall get a cup of vegetable broth instead of meat. Hence, the beggars and tax collectors will go to Halle and Dresden.”
Another source suggested that vegetable from Leipzig is the second course in a festive menu, and only fresh spring vegetable shall be used for making it.

In Germany you can buy the dish frozen or canned. 

The photo below shows the recipe with shrimps. I like this recipe because it has this variety of vegetables and that’s why it is a great side dish for any meat dishes with a gravy or not. Happy Cooking!

leipziger Allerlei

Ingredients Leipziger Allerlei

1 small cauliflower
250 g of each: white asparagus – green beans – green peas (fresh or frozen)
250 g carrots (small ones)
250 g mushrooms or morels (fresh or dried)
50 g butter
30 g flour
½ liter vegetable broth (or instant) – Find it here –
maggi vegetable broth
3 tbsp heavy cream,
25 g butter or crab butter
4 tbsp chopped parsley
salt, nutmeg, sugar, white pepper

Cooking Instructions Leipziger Allerlei

– Wash the vegetable.
– Break cauliflower apart.
– Peel asparagus and cut in 2 inches pieces.
– Clean beans and cut them in smaller pieces.
– Peel fresh peas; cut carrots in smaller pieces.
– Wash slice mushrooms. If you use dried mushrooms prepare them per instructions (soak in water).
– Boil every vegetable separate in water (with some salt added) until the vegetable is somewhat soft (al dente, that means it needs to be a bit crunchy).

Get Spätzle, Red Cabbage and Sauerkraut in
this SUBSCRIPTION FREE German Box

german delicatessen box

– Drain the boiled vegetable and keep it warm (Cover with foil).
– Melt butter and add flour, stir continuously to avoid clump building, then add vegetable broth and bring to a brief boil. Reduce the heat to low.
– Add heavy cream and butter, spice with salt, nutmeg, white pepper to taste and a dash of sugar.
– Now combine the vegetable with the sauce.
– Serve in a warm bowl or on a warm platter. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and/or chervil.

Serve it with your favorite meat dish.

How to Make Crab Butter – Go to Recipe 


Leipziger Lerche Pastry from Leipzig

This pastry specialty from the city of Leipzig is called Leipziger Lerche, and if you don’t know German, you might not know that “Lerche” is a German songbird that has the most unique sound (in English lark). During the 18th and 19th century millions of these birds got captured because the bird was a delicatessen. The bird was roasted with herbs and eggs and served as a filling in a pastry crust. In the year 1720 alone, 400,000 larks were sold in Leipzig for consumption. They even exported the food to Russia.
In 1876 the hunting of the songbirds was officially banned by King Albert I from Saxon after recognition of their agricultural importance. Still, larks were still exported from Leipzig until the end of the 19th century. The pastry of today is mimicking the traditional meat-filled pastry after the ban. Here’s the recipe on how to make this pastry. Happy Baking!

Ingredients Leipziger Lerche

Shortcrust Dough
250 g flour
1 egg
70 g sugar
1 tsp brandy
125 g butter, melted
dash of salt
Filling
125 g butter, melted
250 g apricot or cherry jam
150 g powdered sugar
75 g flour
1 tbsp corn starch
4 egg whites
2 egg yolks
200 g raw baking marzipan
bitter almond flavor to taste


Kathi Baking Mix for the Shortcrust 
kathi streusel cake baking mix


Baking Instructions

Make the Shortcrust
– Sieve the flour into a big bowl.
– Add the egg, brandy and salt. Then the sugar and the melted butter.
– Mix well and knead until you get a smooth dough.
– Wrap in plastic film and let rest for 30 min in the fridge.
Make the Filling
– Beat egg whites until firm.
– Melt butter and mix until bubbly. Add all other ingredients except egg white and jam. Mix well.
– Carefully fold in firm egg whites.
– Pre-heat oven to 200 C or 390 F.

– On a smooth surface that is sprinkled with flour roll the dough 0.5cm (1/4 inch) thick.
– You can use small tartlet forms (diameter 6cm, 2.5 inches) or use a muffin tray. (If needed) grease the forms.
– Place rolled dough over the forms.
– Gently press the dough into the forms.
– Add one tsp jam into each form (directly from the jar).
– On top add the filling. In the video the baker is using a frosting bag and squirts the filling into the forms. But you can also use a tbsp for each form.
– From the remaining dough cut stripes that will be placed as a cross on top of each pastry.

– Bake the pastries in the oven for 20 min.
– When done let them cool off then release from the form.
TIPS
Use 6 tsp cherry jam and 100 g apricot jam and mix it.
You can add a glaze of apricot jam after the pastry is baked.  Warm the jam and press through a sieve so it has no fruit pieces in it. Spread in a very thin layer over each pastry.


Video How to Bake the Leipziger Lerche – In English
Note: It’s not following this recipe. They use a different filling.


photocredit