How to Create a German Food Menu

Making a menu of German food can be fun, and will please whoever gets to select from the delicious choices you include. Many people outside Germany don't know just how wonderful and varied the German culinary landscape is, but a few samplings from your menu should convince anyone that this cuisine deserves more attention than it gets. Recipes for all the menu items in this article can be found in the websites listed in the resources section, or you can simply Google the name of the dish to get multiple versions of the recipe from which to choose. Use these suggestions as a starting point, and do some research on your own to add personal touches.

Instructions

German Appetizers

1. Plan on adding several traditional appetizers. Take a look at the three suggestions below.

   1. Kartoffelpuffer: These salty, creamy potato pancakes are reminiscent of hash browns, but are made with sliced onion and served with sour cream and applesauce on the side.

   2. Bierocks: This is dough filled with onion, cabbage and hamburger and generally fried, but sometimes baked.

   3. Wurst Vorspeise: German sausage is justly famous. Make an appetizer plate of such favorites as bratwurst, bockwurst, knackwurst and leberwurst. These are just a few of the more common choices that can make your appetizer plate a hit.

2. Write the main dish section of your menu with the idea that this is where Germans expect to really tuck in some calories. It doesn't all have to be rich and starchy, but there does have to be plenty of tasty food.

   1. Wiener Schnitzel: Nothing is more confusing to Germans visiting the USA than the fact that Wienerschnitzel is a hot dog fast food restaurant. In fact, Wiener Schnitzel is a delicious breaded veal cutlet, lightly fried, and with a wonderful taste. It belongs on any German menu, and should be served with vegetables and spatzle---German noodles with gravy.

   2. Sauerbraten with red cabbage: This traditional, tasty dish is made from a slow-cooked pot roast that is first marinated, then cooked in wine, water, vinegar and special German spices. Serving it with the red cabbage will show you know what you are doing.

   3. Rindsrouladen: This is tender braised beef that the Germans like to stuff with pickles, onions and bacon. It should be served with spatzle and red cabbage.

3. These desserts are sure to please anyone who loves food.

   1. Apfelstrudel mit eis: Apple strudel with ice cream. This perennial favorite is always a hit.

   2. Ofenschlupfer mit Vanillesosse-Bourbon: This is a fragrant bread pudding topped with a bourbon vanilla sauce. Delicious!

   3. Bratapfeln: Baked apples. Full of butter, walnuts, raisins and cinnamon, these are year-round favorites.

4. Prepare your menu by sampling the examples above. Use them as a jumping-off point to search online for German appetizers, meals and desserts that fit your taste. Have fun learning about German cuisine and sharing it with others.

References

• Taste of Home
• About.com
• Food Network