Common German Meals

Schnitzel with Noodles

A schnitzel is a thinly sliced cutlet of boneless veal or pork, breaded and fried. Dip each cutlet successively in small bowls of flour, egg, and bread crumbs. Cover the schnitzels with plastic wrap and let set half an hour in the refrigerator. Fry in margarine, butter or vegetable oil at medium high temperature until the bread crumbs are golden brown. Schnitzels are traditionally served with egg noodles or potatoes and garnished with lemon. Slices of tomatoes on the side add color and refreshing flavor.

Bratwurst is a delicious German sausage usually made of pork which can be purchased cooked or uncooked. Purchase one sausage for each person you plan to serve. Oil the grill to prevent sticking. For the potato salad, boil 10 medium-small potatoes until tender. Slice potatoes unevenly about 1/4 inch thick. Add one finely diced medium onion, freshly ground pepper to taste, 1 or 2 tsp. sugar, and a dash of white or red wine vinegar. Pour in 1/3 cup of boiling water and set aside for 15 minutes to allow flavors to emerge. The potatoes should absorb all the water. Stir in two chopped hard-boiled eggs, 1/4 cup finely diced sweet gherkin pickles, and 2 tbsp. mayonnaise. Garnish the bowl with sliced eggs and chopped chives.

Sauerbraten is a traditional marinated beef roast often served at Christmas. Marinate for three days a 4-pound boneless roast in a mixture of 2 cups of water, 1 cup each of red wine and wine vinegar, one diced medium onion, 1 tbsp. coarsely crushed black pepper, 1 tbsp. crushed juniper berries, 2 bay leaves, 1 tbsp. of sea salt and 3 tbsp. sauerbraten spice. Roast with 3 tbsp. butter, diced onion, sliced carrots and celery, 2 tbsp. of flour, 1/2 cup water and 3/4 cup crumbled ginger cookies at 350 degrees for two hours. For dumplings, mix together 2 cups of flour, 2 slightly beaten eggs, 3/4 cup milk and 1 tsp salt. Drop teaspoons of the dumpling mixture into boiling beef stock and boil for five minutes.

Currywurst, sliced pork sausage smothered in a red tomato curry sauce, is a fast-food sensation in Germany. Though typically bought from food stands with a side of fries, more people are preparing it at home. It is a fast-evolving food with slightly new takes invented by every cook. For a basic recipe, combine the following ingredients: one chopped, sautéed onion; 2 tbsp. curry powder; 2 cups crushed canned tomatoes; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup wine vinegar and salt. Cook about 25 minutes until thickened. Puree, strain, and serve over sausage while still hot.