German Food

Considering that I am obsessed with food (aren't we all?), I can't believe that I have neglected to share anything about German food!

Schnitzel and spätzle 

German restaurants are on every street corner, and we have eaten our fair share of good and bad German food in the last year and half.  In warm months, almost every restaurant puts the tables outside, which is so relaxing and great when eating out with kids.  The biergartens are also great for families, since most of them have a play area for kids.  

Pork with knödel, red cabbage, and gravy

German food is very hearty, and includes a lot of pork, sausages, potatoes, cabbage, and wheat.  Of course we all love bratwurst and schnitzel, and my son can eat an adult-size portion and ask for more.  Knödel (in the photo above) is a giant dumpling made out of bread or potato flour (my kids will sometimes eat them, but my husband and I think they are awful).

 

Maultaschen

Maultaschen is the German equivalent to ravioli, and can have meat or veggie filling.  In the above picture it is served with a mushroom gravy, but it is also often served in soups.

Ryan's favorite-Weißwurst and pretzel

A traditional Bavarian breakfast food is white sausage (weißwurst), eaten with a pretzel, sweet mustard, and a beer (beer at breakfast?!).  They are served in a large bowl with hot water, and the sausage casing is removed before eating.  The sausages are mild and tender, and made with veal and pork meat.

Käsespätzle

Cheesy spätzle is my favorite indulgence when we eat out, and reminds me of homemade macaroni and cheese.  It is more of a regional specialty for southern Germany and Austria, and it is often served with fried onions on top.   

Flammkuchen

Flammkuchen is another regional specialty of southwestern Germany, and the Alsace region of France (where it is called tarte flambée).  It has a very thin crispy crust, and topped with crème fraîche, chopped bacon, and red onion.

Unfortunately, since German food is so hearty, it is definitely not food that can be eaten very often.  I must admit that I did gain weight after moving here, and I have German food and beer to blame!