One of the few “set in stone” countries on our list at the start of our trip was Germany. We weren’t really sure what to expect as far as food was concerned so to make sure we were going to try some of the best German dishes we reached out to Gerhild at quickgermanrecipes.com to get her suggestions and take on the German food culture. Her site is a massive resource for German recipes, it’s just amazing!
Gerhild, please introduce yourself:
Born in Germany, immigrated to Canada when I was 3, wife of one (celebrating our 46th anniversary this year), mother of three, grandmother of three, teacher, writer, cook, website consultant, mentor, and lover of life: that’s me.
I live close to Niagara Falls in Southern Ontario. These gorgeous surroundings enable my hubby, Andy, and I to go on photographic outings to take photos to post on our websites. Of course, most of my photos are of food!
I’ll be celebrating my 65th birthday this year (never, ever say 29 and holding!) and I count every day as a blessing from the Lord! With so much going on right now, I feel like I’ve just started to fulfill the real purpose of my life. So blessed to be able to say that!
The present path I’m on started 9 years ago on a trip to Germany. It was our first trip back since we’d immigrated over 50 years ago. What struck both Andy and I was the deadness of many of the churches we visited. Beautiful, historic buildings, lovingly restored, empty, except for tourists. We were struck by the hopelessness of many we spoke to … their families suffering with cancer, depression, and suicide.
We returned, and together with another couple, founded the Gottes Wort ministry and now travel yearly to Germany, ministering and teaching in small house groups and churches. To fund this, I started quickgermanrecipes.com. Together with the website and facebook.com/QuickGermanRecipes (over 50,000 fans) I so enjoy being able to share my German heritage and culture with others. It’s always a joy when someone writes in to say that what they’ve read and/or made has rekindled fond memories of being in the kitchen with their Mutti and Oma.
What I try to include on my site are recipes that are traditional, yet quicker and easier to make than the original. Many are my own creations, such as Flatladen. This is my take on Rouladen. In fact, when I first posted it online, if you googled Flatladen, the result was 0. That’s because it’s a word created by my boys. If you google it now, there are over 3,000 results. My recipe! Other recipes on my site are adaptations or things I’ve experimented with. All are delicious!
How do you define German food?
Check out this facebook post when I asked this, I think you’ll agree that out of the over 180 comments, there were only a couple that were negative. The first comment sent in was “German food to me is like a BIG HUG from my Oma!”
Overwhelmingly the responses were that German food is basically meat and potatoes stick-to-your-ribs satisfying soul food. It’s comfort food. It’s healthy, unpretentious, simple, hearty, and filling. In one word, WUNDERBAR!
What characteristics differentiate it from similar foods in the region?
It differs according to what was traditionally available in that region. Since the landscape goes from mountains to seashore and many countries surround Germany, its cuisine is extremely varied.
How has it influenced and been influenced by its neighbors?
Many of the neighbors were partially part of Germany in the past and their influences are still there. In the south, for example, Bavaria has similarities to Switzerland and Austria. There, as well, noodles are very popular, perhaps because of its proximity to Italy and its pasta.
How much influence from German foods do you see in Canada?
Not too much. Of course, there’s Oktoberfest and the influence of that here in Southern Ontario … the sausages, sauerkraut, and beer. It can be difficult to purchase German ingredients needed unless there’s a German deli in the area. In regions where there is a large German immigrant population, there will be some German restaurants and delis.
BTW, what is taken as German Chocolate Cake, of course isn’t German … and that is always a surprise for non-Germans (Easy German Chocolate Cake Recipe) However, Black Forest Cake can be found in many stores.
Food and culture go hand in hand, how does the food reflect the culture in Germany?
Germany didn’t become a country until 1871. It formed from many small and separate independent states having differing cuisines. These influences are seen throughout the country, not only in the foods, but also how the different holidays are celebrated.
What are some of your favorite food traditions, holiday or otherwise?
The usual ones come to mind. Christmas, Easter, and birthdays were really the only ones we celebrated when I was growing up. For us, the foods were usually the same, except of course, for Christmas. That’s when a lot of baking took place. Our holiday meal was usually rouladen, potato dumplings, red cabbage, and gravy. Follow that with a delicious torte. That still continues to be our ‘special’ meal for our family to this day.
What are some of your favorite traditional dishes? What are a few “can’t miss” dishes to try?
They would be our ‘special meal dishes:
Rouladen
Potato Dumplings
Red Cabbage
Bienenstich Cake
Potato Salad
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How does food vary from region to region?
I’d say the basic food in Germany is meat and potatoes. Add some veggies and, of course, gravy, and most are happy. I’m speaking as a northern German. Of course, if I was from southern Germany, it would probably be noodles of some type instead of potatoes. And that’s how it goes.
If I want a debate on my Facebook page, all I need to do is put on a potato salad recipe and say that it’s a traditional German potato salad (made with mayo) and I’ll have people writing in saying that I’m not German and I’ve never eaten in Germany and I don’t know what I’m talking about! But, that’s only because they came from the southern part where only a vinegar/bacon/broth mixture was used for their potato salad. Using mayo (or cream) would be unthinkable!
Many times someone will ask for a recipe and I’ve never heard of it. I’ll always ask what region of Germany they were from and that then narrows down the search. Eventually, we’ll find the recipe for them. An example of how food can vary is that there are more than 1,500 different types of sausage produced in Germany, some are very localized products and only available in certain areas.
As a dietitian, I am very interested with the nutrition aspect of a culture- what kind of role do fruits, vegetables and whole grains play in German foods?
I don’t really recall fruits playing a huge role … other than in cakes. Vegetables such as cabbage, kale, potatoes, carrots, peas, beans … all were cooked to the point of mush ( in the past ) … whole grains are used primarily for breads. A lot of cream, heavy cream, butter and bacon is used.
I was very surprised, considering what we would consider healthy/unhealthy cooking methods, that it was very unusual to see obese Germans. This could be partly do to the usual eating patterns. A hearty breakfast, followed by a hot dinner at noon. Afternoon coffee (with cake, perhaps), followed by a light supper. Walking and biking are normal. For us, here in Canada, our largest meal would be at supper … and the car is always available.
BUT, I found whenever we visited Germany, we wouldn’t gain any weight. Which, for us, made no sense. We enjoyed all the cream-filled tortes, the fresh buns and breads from the baker every morning with cold cuts and cheese and butter, even the Italian ice creams. We’d be invited over to friends’ houses for dinner at noon and they’d have a traditional German spread.
We didn’t go hungry, but we didn’t gain either. The cakes are definitely not as sweet and ‘fluffy’ as they are here in Canada. Perhaps the ingredients are more natural, not as many chemicals and preservatives. There is great emphasis on Bio (organic) and natural foods. Breads play a huge roll, many made with a variety of whole grains … over 300 types sold throughout Germany. Brötchen and bread are the main food missed by most Germans who have emigrated.
What have been your most popular recipes? What kind of recipes are your readers favorites?
My most popular recipes are also the ones I listed previously (favorite traditional dishes question). They are also the ones most requested by my readers. Add to that Spätzle, Schnitzel, Pork Hocks and Black Forest Cake.
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What current food trends are you seeing with German food?
I recall sitting in our hotel room in Minden, Germany, a couple of years ago, eating Hawaiian pizza that we got as take-out from an Italian Pizzaria made by a Greek baker. We enjoyed döner kebabs. We’d drive to Heilbronn just for the Italian ice cream. There are widespread Turkish, Arab, Chinese, Greek, India, Thai and Japanese influences with the many immigrants that are currently coming into Germany. Their fast-food kiosks are wide-spread. The most popular street food is no longer sausage and sauerkraut on a bun (in fact, that can be hard to find in some places), but rather Currywurst and Döner. As far as traditional German foods, they are still there. They are being modernized. Veggies are no longer overcooked. Salads play a larger role. Bio (organic) foods are popular.
Thank you for your honest, straight-forward article about German food. I’m German myself and immigrated in the US in 2001. What I see here, is the glorification of the mostly southern, as you said so nicely “stick to the ribs’ food. Mostly people reduce it even to the Oktoberfest type foods.
Even though I also like his hearty southern German cuisine, it’s not all there is. I personally enjoy the northern, fish-driven foods as much.
As a 3rd thing, I’d like to mention that in recent years less German prepare home-made dishes from scratch but opt for fastfoods. Sadly. I guess that every industrialize nation gets caught up in this missery.
So, keep your blog up and teach people how to cook & bake great German homemade dishes!
I’m an American with a German heritige. I married a German and we lived in Germany 30 yrs. We still have our house in Germany. Since 9 years we are in the U.S.A. I enjoy baking German cakes. I’m very happy to have found you and your recipes. I bake my mother-in-laws Apple cake. I bake Plum cake and etc. And I want to try some of your recipes. My husband,Juergen, cooks our meals. So they are mostly German. I agree with Annett to keep up with your blog.