Let's grab a few ingredients and have
a wonderful fruit snack on hand,
without much thinking.
Keep it Simple
Kuchen is more than just a cake.
In some German households,
especially in "days gone by"
it was a staple on hand like coffee that
it is most often served with.
A sweet is always fun to have
on hand and a great way to use up fruit and other items.
My German grandma in the kitchen,
To finish off a meal,
A mid morning snack
A mid afternoon snack with coffee
A great thing to take as a house gift.
a fun easy to eat, widely popular
party snack.
The word Kuchen means cake.
In fact it is probably where we got the word "cake" from.
Also cookies, cooking, and even the French word Quiche.
I know it doesn't sound the same, but if you look at the
Alsace Lorraine version it is Küche, now you can see
how the French would change it's spelling and give it a fancy
pronunciation.
In the 1600's when coffee came to Germany, and an afternoon snack
with a pastry was a perfect match and became a tradition to catch up in
the afternoon,
and it became known as
"Kaffe Klatsch".
My German grandma cutting into a Käsekuchen
Kaffe means coffee of course and Klatsch means something like "Chit Chat"
I don't want to say gossip....
At first this was for the well to do, as coffee was expensive.
When distribution became better,
like any other foods it became affordable for most households.
My dad after he retired, loved to have his afternoon pastry and coffee around the
table.
There are many ways you can do vary this tradition;
Kuchen in the Morning with your Yogurt
A fruit Kuchen, with yogurt and
coffee can be a perfect start for the morning.
Kuchen and a Movie
in the evening
or afternoon if your retired or on the weekend.
7 Sweets and 7 Sours
Kuchen has played a huge role at the dinner table n the Pennsylvania Dutch culture,
they use to have a philosophy of making a well rounded meal balancing
sweet flavors and sour flavors and with 7 of each on the community table.
It would feed a large amount of busy people that worked and
lived off the land.
With 14 dishes They would
also adequetly express the bounty of each season,
giving thanks for all of God's amazing varieties of sweet and savory.
For instance, you could have a
Sauerbraten for the tart and Apple butter with bread for a Sweet
Chow Chow pickles for tart, and a nice Kuchen for a Sweet
What a great idea, however most familes don't do 7 of each.
But it is a fun interesting philosophy.
More on this later, but you get the idea.
There are many styles of German Kuchens.
I am going to differentiate between layer cakes, and other pastries that
are different than these.
I specifically want to talk about a base with fruit, and the endless
possibilites there are for expressing yourself with it.
Kuchen's Part 1
Sponge Cake Kuchens
In this issue I'll start with the Kuchen's that are more like a sponge cake.
They look awesome but are actually easy to throw together, and
you don't need to be exact.
I put this on my cupboard as a rule of thumb.
If I run to get the recipe, all the sudden I am at square one.
I have to measure this ...then look and have to measure that ....
and I the road ahead for this cake seems complicated , so
it probably will never get done, I won't have a great sweet,
and probably that nice fruit I bought or was given, goes to waste.
With this mind Map in my head ....
Dry:
Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt
Wet:
Eggs, Milk, Butter
I can easily put this thing together.
The recipe is forgiving and doesn't need to be exact
I can use a bit less sugar, a few more eggs,
I can substitute a couple over ripe bananas for the milk.....
I can use oil (1/2 cup) instead of butter, no problem.
This is a great way to use your plums, and a with a dab of whipped cream makes
a wonderful dessert. It has a neutral flavor making it a great canvas for fruits.
It's light texture is great for absorbing syrups and nice liqueurs
with a punch.
This is a great way to use up those over ripe bananas that
you put in the freezer.
I add a jamaican rum syrup that gives it a real kick
you can add peanut butter or leave it out it doesn't matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next we will do Yeast Dough Kuchens!
Through modern technology we can enjoy music from Germany at the touch of your computer, there are many venues now, Pandora, Amazon music, and Youtube is free.
I love my noise canceling headphones that are completely wireless and give incredible sound!
over 2500 perfect reviews, it is a bit of an investment but worth every penny.
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 Nena
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
This is a wonderful tool from Germany, that makes the longer Spaetzle noodles. My German friend brought one over from Germany for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Our German Cookbook
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
Bonus Recipe CD with the Ebook and recipes with step by step pictures
Biography of my grandma
Emma Block From Germany with Love tells the story of my grandma, Emma Block, growing up in a little town in Baden/ Würtemberg, Germany near Heidelberg named Steinsfurt. Then at the age of 15 immigrating to the United States, taking a train with one of her sisters and brothers to Hamburg and sailing the Atlantic with other hope filled Germans wanting to make a life in the "New World". It was not easy but with good values learned in her German upbringing made a full life, had a wonderful family with lots of fun and celebration including the great German meals.
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
This is the newsletter you are reading now, called the German Goodies Recipe Newsletter. I have been publishing this for 20 years now and we have had a lot of fun doing it.
If you enjoy the history I talk about in this newsletter you will also love the history of other dishes and foods I like to do in my
Food History Newsletter
\
