Oktoberfest- Time to cook German!

MadMike · 09-18-06, 08:46 PM

In honor of Oktoberfest I decided to cook German, the first time doing so since I left Deutschland back in '92.

My sister picked up some pork tenderloin, which I cut into 3/8" thick pieces for Jagerschnitzel and trimmed off the fat. Had some stale French bread on the shelf, that was crushed for the breading (turned out great). Each cutlet was drenched in beaten egg then coated with breading. Cooked in butter until golden brown (I was cooking for four).

Goulasch soup was made by browning some beef sirloin tips in butter, then placing into a deep pan. Added two cans of beef broth, two tablespoons of tomato paste, and a can of stewed tomatoes. Added dash of garlic salt and paprika, 1/2 an onion, and brought to a boil. Let simmer for an hour. The stuff turned out remarkably similar to what I enjoyed in Germany, great stuff for a cold winter day!

Made the German style salad using a store bought can of "four bean salad" (with garbanzo, kidney, string bean, and wax beans); it was already pre-sweetened with sugar and vinegar. Added sliced tomatoes and some lettuce, coated with a little Italian dressing and placed in the fridge to cool for an hour or so.

Brotchen (hard roll) was picked up at our local supermarket, which bakes every thing fresh in the store (including real French and Italian bread).

My only problem was the pomme frits (French fries). I bought a bag of them and baked them in the oven. Didn't turn out as good as European style fries (not to mention I've never convinced my family members to eat fries with mayonnaise). Next time I'll cook them in a fryer.

The Jager sauce was a store bought packet of brown sauce, added to water, whisked, and brought to a boil to thicken with canned mushrooms (then let simmer).

So, everything turned out great and didn't have to make a half hour drive to the excellent German restaurant across town. The relatives were impressed and we'll be having more German food in the future (Anthony Bourdain and Rachel Ray take notice). :p

Yours, Mike

aka "Wildtolwutt"
USAF Rheinland Pfalz, '88-'92

The Noob · 09-18-06, 08:57 PM

I'm happy you are enjoying your Deutschland essen!

(I know that made no grammatical sense, Austrian Here)

d@rk51d3 · 09-18-06, 09:04 PM

Forget the pomme frittes. It's potato dumplings for me all the way. If there are any leftovers (IF......) you can always fry them up next morning.

Sauerkraut with crispy bacon and onion pieces, or perhaps a little kummell.......

God I'm Starving.

Onkel Neal · 09-18-06, 09:09 PM

Yes, great idea. Thanks, Mike!

Perilscope · 09-18-06, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMike

...(not to mention I've never convinced my family members to eat fries with mayonnaise)

Mayonnaise, ketchup or both mixed together all good for me, Hmmmmmm! But moderately, as it seals up arteries quite a bit.

Unbelievably Oktoberfest as always been one of my fantasy destinations. I don't drink alcohol nor eat meat a lot, but it's just the fact being in Germany while Oktoberfest and enjoy the atmosphere, just great!

kiwi_2005 · 09-18-06, 11:13 PM

The reason why a booked out 747 full of kiwi men young and old head to the Oktoberfest. Kiwi wives hate the oktoberfest.

Perilscope · 09-18-06, 11:21 PM

^^^ Now that is what I call nice atmospheres...

d@rk51d3 · 09-19-06, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perilscope

^^^ Now that is what I call nice atmospheres...

Are they Jugs or Steins?

Perilscope · 09-19-06, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d@rk51d3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perilscope

^^^ Now that is what I call nice atmospheres...

Are they Jugs or Steins?

Since steins generally have a lid, they are definitely jugs...LOL

Immacolata · 09-19-06, 03:58 AM

Hehe, what would it take to make them into steins?:p

Too set the mood with cheery tune. Or is it a Beery tune?
Oktoberfest

The Avon Lady · 09-19-06, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immacolata

Hehe, what would it take to make them into steins?

Porcelain implants.

Shames on yas.

Immacolata · 09-19-06, 04:43 AM

After weeks at sea, a sailor can merely by looking at the tire tracks in the sand from a passing lady's bicycle, tell you the age and weight of said female bicyclist. Possibly even her hair colour too, and marital status. Merely ogling porcelain cups is harmless surely

Gizzmoe · 09-19-06, 04:47 AM

As a German (and "hobby cook") I feel the need to add some comments.

Jägerschnitzel or any other kind of Schnitzel are never made with pork tenderloin, only pork escalope. It´s much juicier due to a higher fat content and also cheaper. Pork tenderloin=Schweinefilet, pork escalope=Schweineschnitzel.

Premium parts like sirloin tips don´t really belong in goulash soup. It´s better to use a much less expensive and very tasty braising meat like shoulder. Cook it for at least 1.5 hours. Also add caraway seeds to the soup, it´s a must!

Thyme should also be added, but it´s optional. Usually there are also cubed potatoes in a German goulash soup. When you add acidic ingredients to your soup like tomatoes (which aren´t a must) you need to cook the potatoes seperately, otherwise they won´t get tender. If not cook them in your soup for 20-25 minutes. When the soup is done add a tiny amount of vinegar (balsamic or other) or lemon juice, it brightens the taste.

I won´t comment on the Jägersauce made of only a packet of brown sauce and canned mushrooms, it´s just wrong!

The least thing you should do is to use fresh button mushrooms, and also add some cream.

The Avon Lady · 09-19-06, 04:59 AM

/avon jots down notes, bar the pig stuff

Skybird · 09-19-06, 06:27 AM

Much of the food described here I could not even swallow, that much I like it... It all belongs to a kind of cooking that we Germans would label as "rustikal". It has not much to do with real German cooking as to be seen by daily routine in german kitchens throughout the country. We don't eat Würstchen und Sauerkraut, Jägerschnitzel und Bohnensalad all day long. Most people even do not like Sauerkraut and Bohnensalat.

Oktoberfest last but not least is an event for tourist (and Bavarian natives

), like dancing Indians in America with costumes and all - who stop dancing when the bus with the tourists is gone again. Lufthansa even currently has stewardesses dressed in Dirndl on some flights to NA. The rest of Germany maybe may look with an amused eye on the Oktoberfest, but almost noone would say he considers it to be representative for Germany.

09-18-06, 08:46 PM	#1
MadMike Watch Officer Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 342 Downloads: 241 Uploads: 0	Oktoberfest- Time to cook German! In honor of Oktoberfest I decided to cook German, the first time doing so since I left Deutschland back in '92. My sister picked up some pork tenderloin, which I cut into 3/8" thick pieces for Jagerschnitzel and trimmed off the fat. Had some stale French bread on the shelf, that was crushed for the breading (turned out great). Each cutlet was drenched in beaten egg then coated with breading. Cooked in butter until golden brown (I was cooking for four). Goulasch soup was made by browning some beef sirloin tips in butter, then placing into a deep pan. Added two cans of beef broth, two tablespoons of tomato paste, and a can of stewed tomatoes. Added dash of garlic salt and paprika, 1/2 an onion, and brought to a boil. Let simmer for an hour. The stuff turned out remarkably similar to what I enjoyed in Germany, great stuff for a cold winter day! Made the German style salad using a store bought can of "four bean salad" (with garbanzo, kidney, string bean, and wax beans); it was already pre-sweetened with sugar and vinegar. Added sliced tomatoes and some lettuce, coated with a little Italian dressing and placed in the fridge to cool for an hour or so. Brotchen (hard roll) was picked up at our local supermarket, which bakes every thing fresh in the store (including real French and Italian bread). My only problem was the pomme frits (French fries). I bought a bag of them and baked them in the oven. Didn't turn out as good as European style fries (not to mention I've never convinced my family members to eat fries with mayonnaise). Next time I'll cook them in a fryer. The Jager sauce was a store bought packet of brown sauce, added to water, whisked, and brought to a boil to thicken with canned mushrooms (then let simmer). So, everything turned out great and didn't have to make a half hour drive to the excellent German restaurant across town. The relatives were impressed and we'll be having more German food in the future (Anthony Bourdain and Rachel Ray take notice). :p Yours, Mike aka "Wildtolwutt" USAF Rheinland Pfalz, '88-'92

09-18-06, 08:57 PM	#2
The Noob The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: de_dust2 Posts: 1,417 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm happy you are enjoying your Deutschland essen! (I know that made no grammatical sense, Austrian Here) Last edited by The Noob; 09-19-06 at 01:02 AM.

09-18-06, 09:04 PM	#3
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,951 Downloads: 207 Uploads: 0	Forget the pomme frittes. It's potato dumplings for me all the way. If there are any leftovers (IF......) you can always fry them up next morning. Sauerkraut with crispy bacon and onion pieces, or perhaps a little kummell....... God I'm Starving. Last edited by d@rk51d3; 09-18-06 at 09:40 PM.

09-18-06, 09:09 PM	#4
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Yes, great idea. Thanks, Mike! __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

09-18-06, 11:13 PM	#6
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	The reason why a booked out 747 full of kiwi men young and old head to the Oktoberfest. Kiwi wives hate the oktoberfest. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

09-18-06, 11:21 PM	#7
Perilscope Sonar Guy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montréal Posts: 399 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	^^^ Now that is what I call nice atmospheres...

09-19-06, 03:58 AM	#10
Immacolata Grey Wolf Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 798 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Hehe, what would it take to make them into steins?:p Too set the mood with cheery tune. Or is it a Beery tune? Oktoberfest

09-19-06, 04:43 AM	#12
Immacolata Grey Wolf Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 798 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	After weeks at sea, a sailor can merely by looking at the tire tracks in the sand from a passing lady's bicycle, tell you the age and weight of said female bicyclist. Possibly even her hair colour too, and marital status. Merely ogling porcelain cups is harmless surely

09-19-06, 04:47 AM	#13
Gizzmoe Silent Hunter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 3,668 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	As a German (and "hobby cook") I feel the need to add some comments. Jägerschnitzel or any other kind of Schnitzel are never made with pork tenderloin, only pork escalope. It´s much juicier due to a higher fat content and also cheaper. Pork tenderloin=Schweinefilet, pork escalope=Schweineschnitzel. Premium parts like sirloin tips don´t really belong in goulash soup. It´s better to use a much less expensive and very tasty braising meat like shoulder. Cook it for at least 1.5 hours. Also add caraway seeds to the soup, it´s a must! Thyme should also be added, but it´s optional. Usually there are also cubed potatoes in a German goulash soup. When you add acidic ingredients to your soup like tomatoes (which aren´t a must) you need to cook the potatoes seperately, otherwise they won´t get tender. If not cook them in your soup for 20-25 minutes. When the soup is done add a tiny amount of vinegar (balsamic or other) or lemon juice, it brightens the taste. I won´t comment on the Jägersauce made of only a packet of brown sauce and canned mushrooms, it´s just wrong! The least thing you should do is to use fresh button mushrooms, and also add some cream. Last edited by Gizzmoe; 09-19-06 at 04:57 AM.

09-19-06, 04:59 AM	#14
The Avon Lady Über Mom Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Posts: 6,147 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	/avon jots down notes, bar the pig stuff __________________ "Victory will come to us from the wombs of our women." - Houari Boumedienne, President of Algeria, Speech before the UN, 1974

09-19-06, 06:27 AM	#15
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,616 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Much of the food described here I could not even swallow, that much I like it... It all belongs to a kind of cooking that we Germans would label as "rustikal". It has not much to do with real German cooking as to be seen by daily routine in german kitchens throughout the country. We don't eat Würstchen und Sauerkraut, Jägerschnitzel und Bohnensalad all day long. Most people even do not like Sauerkraut and Bohnensalat. Oktoberfest last but not least is an event for tourist (and Bavarian natives ), like dancing Indians in America with costumes and all - who stop dancing when the bus with the tourists is gone again. Lufthansa even currently has stewardesses dressed in Dirndl on some flights to NA. The rest of Germany maybe may look with an amused eye on the Oktoberfest, but almost noone would say he considers it to be representative for Germany. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.