As Germans we are often associated with sauerkraut. Sometimes in not so nice terms.
Most food historians will tell you that sauerkraut was first prepared in China and it's ability to keep without going bad allowed the workers of the Great Wall to keep nourished and healthy way out in the wilderness.
So that was 2000 years ago and sometime in the 1500's it made it's way over to Europe either by the Tartars or Genghis Kahn. It is the perfect food for a cold climate. It kept our German ancestors healthy through the long cold winters.
Fresh Sauerkraut is becoming very popular now all over the world for health reasons. It has wonderful pro-biotic qualities and will improve your gut health. If you have never made home made sauerkraut it is very easy.
So many folks have told me that they don't like sauerkraut because it is too "sour" and "vinegary".
I try to tell them that German's usually cook it in a manner that the flavors are balanced.
You simmer it in good stock with some wine or beer, with onions and apples and bacon
I really like using a variety of meats. While we all think of bacon or smoked sausage with kraut, I love putting ribs in the kraut. Ham Hocks give the stock a lot of body. The wonderful aromas that fill the house is almost worth it on it's own.
This is a fun recipe that you and also the kids can make. Once you make the dough it is just a matter of making nice "torpedo" shaped noodles.
To get a good history of your German heritage and these "noodles" think of the poor soldiers in the long 30 years war where some feel these got their origin, by soldiers that used their flour ration to make these finger shaped noodles over the campfire when they could break for chow. I suppose when you are very limited with ingredients you try to be creative with shapes and something that would be different to build up sagging morale. But who knows what was the inspiration during the moment of creation.
A recipe book and short biography of my Grandmother Emma Block. Her recipes, culture and cooking styles that were brought over from Germany. How they evolved when she came to America in the early 1900s and settled in Portland, Oregon on the west coast of the United States. Over 100 recipes
Karin Elliot born and raised in Germany
is a chef and wonderful friend giving me encouragement through the years here and donated her recipes for our newsletter. She also does wonderful volunteer work like providing meals for school children in need in Tuscon, Arizona.
Many German-Americans and German immigrants are interested in Native American items from books and movies to jewelry and arts and craft supplies. Karin will take care of you personally with her online store Native Rainbows
German Music
Muss i denn -
Heimat und Volkslied
History: A folksong written in the Swabian dialect about 1827 about a man who has to leave his lover but vows to be faithful and return to marry her.
Muss i denn, muss i denn
zum Städtele hinaus, Städtele hinaus,
Und du, mein Schatz, bleibst hier?
Wenn i komm', wenn i komm',
wenn i wiedrum komm',
Kehr' i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir.
Kann i glei net allweil bei dir sein,
Han i doch mein Freud' an dir!
Wenn i komm', wenn i komm',
wenn i wiedrum komm',
Kehr' i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir.
Wie du weinst, wie du weinst,
Dass i wandere muss, wandere muss,
Wie wenn d' Lieb' jetzt wär' vorbei!
Sind au drauss, sind au drauss
Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel,
Lieber Schatz, i bleib dir treu.
Denk du net, wenn i 'ne Andre seh',
No sei mein' Lieb' vorbei;
Sind au drauss, sind au drauss
Der Mädele viel, Mädele viel,
Lieber Schatz, i bleib dir treu.
Über's Jahr, über's Jahr,
Wenn me Träubele schneid't, Träubele schneid't,
Stell' i hier mi wiedrum ein;
Bin i dann, bin i dann
Dein Schätzele noch, Schätzele noch,
So soll die Hochzeit sein.
Über's Jahr, do ist mein' Zeit vorbei,
Da g'hör' i mein und dein;
Bin i dann, bin i dann
Dein Schätzele noch, Schätzele noch,
So soll die Hochzeit sein.
Do I have to, have to
Leave the city, leave the city
And you, my dear, stay here
When I come, when I come
When I come again, come again
I come, my dear, to your house
Can't I be with you for a while right away
I really enjoy you
When I come, When I come
When I come again, come again
I come, my dear, to your house
When you cry, when you cry
That I have to go
Like the love was over now
Even if there are, there are many girls out there
My beloved, I am faithful to you
Don't think that when I see others
My love for you would be over
Even if there are, there are many girls out there
My beloved, I am faithful to you
Over the year, over the year
When we harvest the grapes
I myself start to think
If I am still, I am still your beloved
We should marry
Over the year, my time is over
There I belong to me and you
If I am still, I am still your beloved
We should marry.
Die Gedanken Sind Frei
(Our Thoughts are Free)
by Shadow Cat
History: This is a war protest type song composed most likely in the 12th century, states that even though we are not physically free our thoughts are free.
1. Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten,
sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen
mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
2. Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket,
doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket.
Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand verwehren,
es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
3. Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker,
das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke.
Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken
und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
4. Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen entsagen
und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen.
Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen
und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
5. Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen,
sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen.
Ich sitz nicht alleine bei meinem Glas Weine,
mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
1. Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They fly by like nocturnal shadows.
No person can know them, no hunter can shoot them
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!
2. I think what I want, and what delights me,
still always reticent, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: Thoughts are free!
3. And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all these are futile works,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart: Thoughts are free!
4. So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with whimsies.
In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: Thoughts are free!
5. I love wine, and my girl even more,
Only her I like best of all.
I'm not alone with my glass of wine,
my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!
Du Du Ligst mir im Herzen
History: This is an old German folk song that is believed to be written in about 1820 in northern Germany.
Du, du liegst mir im Herzen
du, du liegst mir im Sinn.
Du, du machst mir viel Schmerzen,
weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin.
Ja, ja, ja, ja, weißt nicht wie gut ich dir bin.
So, so wie ich dich liebe
so, so liebe auch mich.
Die, die zärtlichsten Triebe
fühl' ich allein nur für dich.
Ja, ja, ja, ja, fühl' ich allein nur für dich.
Doch, doch darf ich dir trauen
dir, dir mit leichtem Sinn?
Du, du kannst auf mich bauen
weißt ja wie gut ich dir bin!
Ja, ja, ja, ja, weißt ja wie gut ich dir bin!
Und, und wenn in der Ferne,
mir, mir dein Bild erscheint,
dann, dann wünscht ich so gerne
daß uns die Liebe vereint.
Ja, ja, ja, ja, daß uns die Liebe vereint
You, you are in my heart,
you, you are in my mind.
You, you cause me much pain,
you don't know how good I am for you.
Yes, yes, yes, yes you don't know how good I am for you.
So, as I love you
so, so love me too.
The most tender desires
I alone feel only for you.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, I alone feel only for you.
But, but may I trust you
you, you with a light heart?
You, you know you can rely on me,
you do know how good for you I am!
Yes, yes, yes, yes you do know how good for you I am!
And, and if in the distance,
it seems to me like your picture,
then, then I wish so much
that we were united in love.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, that we were united in love.
Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz
a hunter from Kurpfalz
Die Westfälischen Nachtigallen -
History : a song about a hunter from Kurpfalz and his joys
Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz,
Der reitet durch den grünen Wald,
Er schießt das Wild daher,
Gleich wie es ihm gefällt.
Refrain:
|: Juja, Juja, gar lustig ist die Jägerei
Allhier auf grüner Heid’,
Allhier auf grüner Heid’, :|
2. Auf! Sattelt mir mein Pferd
Und legt darauf den Mantelsack,
So reit’ ich hin und her
Als Jäger aus Kurpfalz.
Refrain:
3. Hubertus auf der Jagd,
Der schoss ein’n Hirsch und einen Has’.
Er traf ein Mägdlein an,
Und das war achtzehn Jahr.
Refrain:
4. Des Jägers seine Lust
Den großen Herren ist bewusst,
Jawohl, jawohl bewusst,
Wie man das Wildpret schuss.
Refrain:
5. Wohl zwischen seine Bein,
Da muss der Hirsch geschossen sein,
Geschossen muss er sein,
Auf eins, zwei, drei.
Refrain:
6. Jetzt reit’ ich nimmer heim,
Bis das der Kuckuck, kuckuck schreit,
Er schreit die ganze Nacht
Allhier auf grüner Heid’!
Refrain:
1. A hunter from Kurpfalz,
He rides through the green forest,
He shoots the game therefore,
As he pleases.
Refrain:
|: Juja, Juja, the hunt is really funny
All on green heath,
All on green heath ',: |
2. On! Saddle my horse
And put on the coat bag,
So I ride back and forth
As a hunter from Kurpfalz.
Refrain:
3. Hubertus on the hunt,
He shot a stag and a hat.
He met a girl,
And that was eighteen years.
Refrain:
4. The hunter's lust
The great lords are aware
Yes, yes, yes,
How to shoot the game.
Refrain:
5. Well between his leg,
The deer must have been shot
He has to be shot
At one, two, three.
Refrain:
6. Now I'm never going home,
Until the cuckoo, cuckoo screams,
He screams all night
All on green heath!
Refrain:
Die Lorelei the Lorelei
History:Die Lorelei," is based on a German legend of an enchanting, seducing mermaid who lures seamen to their death. Die Lorelei is a rock cliff on the Rhine, in which many ships have sunk nearby.
1. Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten,
Daß ich so traurig bin,
Ein Märchen aus uralten Zeiten,
Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn.
Die Luft ist kühl und es dunkelt,
Und ruhig fließt der Rhein;
Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt,
Im Abendsonnenschein.
2. Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet
Dort oben wunderbar,
Ihr gold'nes Geschmeide blitzet,
Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar.
Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme,
Und singt ein Lied dabei;
Das hat eine wundersame,
Gewalt'ge Melodei.
3. Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe,
Ergreift es mit wildem Weh;
Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe,
Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'.
Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen
Am Ende Schiffer und Kahn,
Und das hat mit ihrem Singen,
Die Loreley getan.
I don’t know what it could mean,
Or why I’m so sad: I find,
A fairy-tale, from times unseen,
Won’t vanish from my mind.
The air is cool and it darkens,
And quiet flows the Rhine:
The tops of the mountains sparkle,
In evening’s after-shine.
The loveliest of maidens,
She’s wonderful, sits there,
Her golden jewels glisten,
She combs her golden hair.
She combs it with a comb of gold,
And sings a song as well:
Its strangeness too is old
And casts a powerful spell.
It grips the boatman in his boat
With a wild pang of woe:
He only looks up to the heights,
Can’t see the rocks below.
The waves end by swallowing
The boat and its boatman,
That’s what, by her singing,
The Lorelei has done
