Planning an Octoberfest party? Cookbook staff suggestions!

An American, Clinton Legacy Cookbook Chef, Dad, Vet ^ | Sept 19, 2001 | The Cookbook Slaves, Carlo3b,Angelique,christie,piaza,Howie,Twostep

[carlo3b]

Planning an Octoberfest party? Well we have, and here's a few suggestions for your consideration;

OCTOBERFEST MENU

POTATO, SAUSAGE, AND CABBAGE SOUP

ROTE BEETE - PICKLED RED BEETS
KARTOFFELSALAT, COLD POTATO SALAD
HOT GERMAN STYLE POTATO SALAD
CUKECUMBERS, PICKLED CUCUMBER
HERINGSALAT, (Herring Salad)
 

SCHWEINEKOTELETT in Zweibelsosse (Pork Chops in Onion Sauce)
BRATWURST
SAUERBRATEN MEATBALLS, WITH SAUCE
KIELBASA, SMOKED TURKEY

ROTKOHL is a traditional German specialty of sweet and sour red cabbage, which is heated and served as a side dish with a meat entree.
SAUERKRAUT is made the old fashion way using only 3 ingredients: cabbage, salt and water, splashed with cider vinegar.
CARROTS IN BEER
SPATZEL, BUTTERED NOODLES
SPICED APPLE SAUCE

ROGGENBROT (German rye Bread)

APFELSTRUDEL (apple Strudel)
GERMAN WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE

MARZENBIER,  A Light , golden-brown and lively flavored beer which comes mostly from Munich.
BERLINER WEISS, A light beer brewed from wheat through natural fermentation
ALTBIER,  This beer also brewed from natural fermentaion comes primarily from Cologne and Westfälen.
MUNCHENER, This Dark beer originates in Munich and is quite strong
BOCKIER,  This beer is also strong and dark but it is also very aromatic. It is brewed throughout Germany now but it finds it's origins in a small town called Einböck


 

[carlo3b]

To cut onions without tears?

In order to avoid tears when you cut onions, just cut them under cold water or wet the knife you are using several times with cold water .

Bad smells in the refrigerator?

In order to avoid bad smells in the refrigerator, one good tip is to put either half of lemon or some coffee grams. Also, it is very effective to put a small open container of sodium bicarbonate.

To preserve food longer in the refrigerator?

You must not put hot food in the refrigerator, let them cool off first. Clean the fish before putting it to the fridge and put some parsley on it to avoid odor.

To preserve longer the garlic?

In order to keep the garlic tender and longer, burn off their roots as soon as you buy them.

To peal tomatoes and carrots easier?

In order to peal tomatoes and carrots faster and much easier, just put them in boiling water for a few seconds, then into cold water. As soon as they are out you can peal the tomatoes with your hands and the carrots with a kitchen towel.

Add great color to your roast chicken or turkey?

To turn your chicken golden color when roasting, spread lemon juice all over before you put it in the oven.

To avoid the lettuce turning brown quicker?

If you cut the lettuce with an ordinary metal knife, the edges quickly brown, to avoid this, use a lettuce knife (plastic), or tear.

To conserve the tea fresh longer?

Put the tea in a dry place and hermetic sealed container and out of the light.

To avoid apple slices turning brown ?

Brush the apple slices with lemon juice.

To keep fresh herbs truly fresh ?

Rinse the bunches, dry thoroughly, wrap in a plastic bag and store in the crisper section of the refrigerator.

To  freeze the food better?

Freezing extends the life of food, but not forever and not under all conditions. Freezing food brings bacteria to a standstill, but does not kill it, chemical activity goes on but at a much slower rate.

Freezer burn is the reaction of meat to the formation of ice crystals and leaves the meat dry and stringy, the fat in meat continues to oxidize and eventually becomes rancid.

Freezing correctly in proper frozen conditions, fish, poultry, and pork will hold for two months while beef will last a year. Commercial food processors use blast freezers that reach temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius very rapidly, this reduces oxidation and the chance of freezer burn. When operating properly, however, home freezers are designed to keep food at 0 degrees. Raw meat will take hours to freeze at this temperature, instead of minutes, creating conditions for freezer burn. You can help the situation by wrapping food properly. Use re-usealable plastic bags especially designed for the freezer, but make sure you squeeze out the air. You may try tightly wrapping food twice in plastic and then wrap it in aluminum. Be sure to label and date it. Remember, if food is just about to spoil it can not be saved by freezing.

To absorb fat from the soup ?

Place a piece of tissue paper or lettuce on the surface of soup, then remove and discard it.

To keep fish really fresh ?

Immediately after purchasing (or catching), place in a double plastic bag filled with water and place near the freezer wall. Fish should never be re-frozen.

[carlo3b]

To storage eggs longer ?

Crack open the eggs and add individually to an ice cube tray. When completely frozen, put the egg cubes in a sealed freezer bag and use as needed.

To Prevent a clogged salt salt shaker ?

Keep 5-10 grains of rice inside the shaker.

Buying canned fish ?

Look for fish canned in water as it has less fat than fish canned in oil and less salt than fish canned in brine.

What is the preferred oil?

OLIVE OIL is the preferred oil because it is rich in monounsaturated fat and has 30-40 different antioxidants. Try using a good quality extra virgin olive oil on salads. Its strong flavor means you don't need to use as much. If salad greens are dried well after washing, less dressing is needed. Cook in real olive oil, it takes high heat much longer. For hot frying, use vegetable oil, and as a last resort, use animal fat for prolonged frying.

Cooking hamburgers faster?

Hamburgers will cook faster if you make a few punctures in them before cooking. This allows the heat to circulate more evenly.

Having insomnia?

The most common cause  of insomnia is caffeine. If you have
problem sleeping, avoid tea, coffee and cola drinks after 4pm.

To bake potatoes crisp and brown?

Bath the peeled potatoes in hot water for a while, pat dry and pierce all over with a fork before placing them in hot fat along with the roast.

To avoid artichokes turning black when peeled?

To help preserve artichoke color, submerge immediately in about 2 quarts of water acidulated with 1/2 cup wine vinegar. Cooking it in acidulated water will also help.

To save tomato paste.

Turn it upside down in the refrigerator after opening a jar.

Leftover wine?

Freeze it into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Fresh egg?

Immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh. If it rises to the surface, throw it away

To brown pancakes quicker?

Add a little sugar to the batter.

To prevent ice-cream cones from getting soggy?

Drop a marshmallow into the point of the cone before filling it.

To get rid of some food's stain?

Beer: Sponge with warm water

Chocolate: Soak in Kerosene and wash in cold water.

Coffee:  Treat with boiling water when fresh

Fruit: Soak fresh stain in milk or use oxalic acid.

Mayonnaise:  Week solution detergent with ammonia.

Milk: Cold water and detergent

Tea:  Use boiling water

Wine: Put dry salt on fresh stains, warm milk on old ones.

To avoid cheese exposed edges harden in the refrigerator?

Cheese won't harden as much if you butter the exposed edges before storing it in the refrigerator.

Too salty soup?

If a soup or stew is too salty, add raw cut potatoes. Discard them after they have cooked - they will have absorbed the salt.

[piasa]

To save tomato paste: turn it upside down in the refrigerator after opening a jar.

Wouldn't that be messy?

[hmmmmm]

no matter how many times you double this recipe ~s~ it will never be enough, absolutely delicious!

Hey Hey Sauerkraut Balls

Recipe By : Hey Hey Bar and Grill, German Village in Columbus, Ohio

Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00

Categories : Appetizers German

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ --------------------------------

1/2 pound sausage, bulk

1/4 cup onion -- chopped

1 can sauerkraut -- 16 ounce

2 tablespoons bread crumbs -- fine, dry

4 ounces cream cheese -- softened

2 tablespoons parsley -- finely snipped

1 tablespoon sweet hot mustard

dash garlic salt

dash pepper

1/3 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs

2 tablespoons water

1/3 to 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs

cooking oil for deep fat frying

In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion till sausage is brown, breaking sausage into small pieces. Drain.

Drain sauerkraut, pressing out as much liquid as possible. In a large mixing bowl, combine sauerkraut, sausage mixture, the 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, cream cheese, parsley, mustard, garlic salt, and pepper. Cover and chill several hours or overnight.

Put flour in a shallow container, In another shallow container, beat eggs and water till combined. Put bread crumbs in a third container. Using about 2 tablespoons for each, shape sauerkraut mixture into balls. Roll balls in flour, then in egg mixture, then in bread crumbs.

Fry a few at a time in deep hot fat (365 degrees) for about 2 minutes or until brown. Remove from fat with a slott ed spoon; drain on paper towels. Transfer to a baking sheet with sides; keep warm in a 275 degree oven.

Makes 24 to 30 balls.

NOTES : October 1996 Midwest Living Octoberfest

[carlo3b]

Wouldn't that be messy?

picky picky, ok put the damned lid back on and spoil all the fun!! Bwhahahahhhahahahhah

[homeschool mama]

A number of years ago I added Carmelized Onions to our Oktoberfest parties. *Wonderful* over wurst. Mmmmmmmm.

[carlo3b]

This Tuesday will be Octoberfest at our house, your "Hey Hey Sauerkraut Balls" will be on the menu, sounds great...thanks....any more??

[hmmmmm]

~S~that's all I have at the moment. You will LOVE the hey hey balls. My sister is the one responsible for my hey hey addiction, she has an Octoberfest party every year. I've seen recipes, already posted, for the remainder of her menu. The only thing I can add is a nice selection of German beers/wines, even for the non-drinkers it adds to the atmosphere (along with a "vat" of apples).

If you ask the invitees to bring an "appropriate" dish along with an "appropriate" beer or wine, you will get a lot of variety (and a head start on next year ~s~), it also allows each of your invitees to feel they are contributing to the success of your party.

[christie]

Fresh egg? Immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh. If it rises to the surface, throw it away

I wish I had this tip yesterday. I gave my husband three eggs (the storebought kind--he doesn't like my green eggs) and it exploded when he cracked it.

[DaRocksMom]

the Sauerbraten recipe is nowhere near the fantastic recipe that my mother used. It was at least a two day operation.

Mine is a five day of pickling the meat in tarragon vinegar, etc. Oh boy, I can taste it now! I never did try it meatball style.

[carlo3b]

Need Green Egg recipes...Hmmmmmmmm....Bwhahahahhah

[jellybean]

WALLS OR BRIDGES?

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

"I'm looking for a few days work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work -- handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

When disagreements and harsh words get in the way of those dear to your heart, don't allow the distance to prevent the love from continuing. Build a bridge and close the gap that anger struggles to widen.

[stanz]

Fresh egg? Immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh. If it rises to the surface, throw it away

In keeping with Halloween, isn't that what they used to do with accused witches?

[Angelique]

Is that why Hillary is "all wet?"

[jellybean]

It wouldn't work to put Hellery in a vat of water to see if she'd sink, witch's melt when they get wet!

Besides, Ole Crusty would probably drag her down to the bottom regardless. We all know THAT'S not fresh!!

[christie]

Throw water on a witch and she melts. Well, jeers and boos work pretty well, too. She melted in front of the entire world. Oh, how sweat!

[Angelique]

For goodness sakes! Get out the buckets of water!!!!! Put Ole Crusty out of his misery! Maybe the fans at the McCartney concert were trying to SCARE her off stage!

[jellybean]

Oh, how sweat!

Please don't mention sweat when talking about Hellery!! My mind is already reeling just thinking about poor Ole Crusty!!

[jellybean]

Maybe the fans at the McCartney concert were trying to SCARE her off stage!

You know how you scare a witch, don't you???

Scroll down for the answer...

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You say, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[artios]

Sauerkraut:

I used to know a german guy in a suburb of Rochester NY with a chain if German Restaurants. The food was very good. I watched them make sauerkraut one day and since then I have a different view of kraut. I have 3 recipes - traditional, basic and advanced:

Traditional: slice cabbage, add salt, wait 3 weeks and voila "sauerkraut" - (I don't do this... ever)

Basic: Thinly slice cabbage, thinly slice some sweet nions (or any onion for that matter), sautee the onion in lots of butter or - even better - some pork or sausage fat. Add the sliced cabbage and either a) cover and simmer all day, or b) put in a waterless pot or crock pot and cook all day. You can also add to this canned sauerkraut (I strain and rinse before adding) - or you can buy just the sauerkraut juice - which is always better tasting than the canned sauerkraut itself.

Advanced: (This is how I like it) cook some pork sausage and then add some sliced onions and saute them in the pork fat and sausage. add slice cabbage and some canned sauerkraut juice (not the canned kraut, and not the juice from canned kraut - but a can of "sauerkraut juice", fill the pot to the top with cabbage. Add a little sliced bartwurst and some chicken broth. I use a "waterless" cast iron dutch oven - and put it in the oven. Bake at like 325 for a few hours. You can also add white wine or beer - shots of german schaaps (like williams birne or mirabelen) should be reserved for the cook. Some times I will add a few caraway seeds, sometimes I don't.