The Former Army Brat's Guide to Hacking German Cooking
by Shannon Williams
Not authentic. Not taught by an Oma. These are my memories of growing up in Southern Germany as a kid, recreated for cooking in a kitchen at home in California.
About This Cookbook
I love German food, but never had anyone to teach me how to make it. So over the year's I've adapted and found ways to bring it into my home in California. I've found certain ingredients that are must haves that I've bought at specialty shops or online. But most of the time I've experimented with what I could find at my local super market and found that the results were great. There are certainly much more authentic collections of recipes. These are ones that I've compiled that can be made easily and still hit hard.
Contents(12 recipes)
An Army brat in West Germany
Growing up on as an Army kid in West Germany in the 1980s was an incredible experience. I was lucky enough to spend about 8 years in Heidelberg and Stuttgart, living both on bases and in German neighborhoods. In that time I developed a deep love of German food, but never really had anyone to teach me how to cook it. As I've grown up, I've tried to learn how to recreate some of my favorite german meals on my own. Reading recipes, watching videos, taking trips back to Germany have given me just enough information to be dangerous. This is not a cookbok full of authentic german recipes. These are my hacked up approaches to trying to recreate what I loved as a kid. My favorite flavors, completely adapted to try and fit into regular home cooking. I hope you enjoy them.
Hauptgerichte (Main Dishes)
The big heavy hitters that you can serve to your family and know they will love.
Beilagen & Saucen (Sides & Sauces)
No German meal is complete without the right sauce and a proper side. Spatzle is non-negotiable.
Suppen (Soups)
Germans take their soups seriously. These are meals in themselves -- thick, hearty, and perfect for cold weather.
Guten Appetit!
German cooking isn't about fancy techniques or rare ingredients -- it's about doing simple things really well. Good meat, fresh bread, and a sauce that ties it all together. Pair any of these with a cold German beer and you're set. Prost!