My mother and my Oma came from different corners of Germany, so naturally, each has a different recipe for cucumber salad. Oma passed along this Creamy German Cucumber Salad recipe. From Mom, I got the German Cucumber Salad recipe that uses an oil and vinegar base (find the recipe here). While both are quite tasty, this creamy version is the…
Author: karenanne
German Cucumber Salad Recipe- A Refreshing Summertime Recipe
This German Cucumber Salad Recipe makes a refreshing side-dish, and is a fantastic addition to your German Salatteller. The tangy flavor gives your plate a nice balance from creamy gravies or fried foods. Perfect for summer! Cucumber salad is another simple German salad. Slice cucumber, toss in dressing. The only decision you have to make is about the onions. In…
Traditional German Dirndl- History & Where to Buy a Dirndl
Recently, I posted an image of Rare Dirndl’s beautiful “Empress Dirndl.” The bodice of this chic and sophisticated looking Dirndl covered more than the average Dirndl and required no blouse. The reactions were mixed and rather vocal, with many stating,” That’s NOT a Dirndl”! Why not? “A TRADITIONAL German Dirndl must be low cut with a blouse and apron.” Hmmm.…
German Museums and Cultural Heritage Centers in North America
German Museums and Cultural Centers do what they can to preserve the history of Germans in North America. They come in all sizes. Many hold exhibits of objects and ephemera, some are living museums that allow visitors to immerse themselves in another time, and others are a treasure trove for genealogists. Please help me add to this list of German…
Where to buy Lederhosen- Authentic Lederhosen for Men and Women
Shop for Authentic German Lederhosen men and women will look great in. Find a variety of different styles and colors for Men, from the traditional Short pants or Bundhosen with suspenders, to the new belted style. You will also find German Lederhosen Women can wear! Standard shorts, longer short pants, and even a hotpants style. Colors range from dark browns…
Wiener Schnitzel Recipe- An Austrian AND German Favorite
On my 18th birthday, I arrived in Lake Constance to vacation with my Tante and Onkel. That night, they took me to dinner in the Hotel restaurant; I looked over the menu carefully since I wanted my birthday meal to be perfect. And I ordered Wiener Schnitzel. My Onkel almost fell out of his seat laughing. “That’s what you order…
The Potato in Germany- From Erd-Apfel to Kartoffel
The potato in Germany has been a central part of the diet for so long that it seems like it’s always been there. Mashed, boiled, fried, formed into Klöße, baked into bread, they might turn up at every meal. We had a bin in our kitchen JUST for potatoes! But considering how widespread the potato is, it may come as…
Pennsylvania Germans: An Interpretive Encyclopedia
Pockets of German culture in America have always fascinated me. I wonder why and when the group arrived in the United States, how they live (and how much different their new home is from Germany), and what parts of Germany do they hold onto. The Pennsylvania Germans go back to the time before there even WAS a United States. What…
Susanne Bacon’s Wycliff Novels- Books that Sooth the Soul
Sometimes when things get just a little too heavy or overwhelming, it’s good to sit in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a feel-good book. Susanne Bacon’s Wycliff Novels, starting with “Delicate Dreams,” are exactly what I needed to find my center again after a very busy week. No bloody murders, no overwhelming crisis, no smart-aleck sidekicks,…
German Hot Dogs- The History of an Iconic “All American” Food
People who study these things say that the average American eats 60 Hot Dogs each year….grilled, steamed, boiled… flung from peddlers in Ballparks, off a rolling cooker in a 7-11, or out of a vendor’s cart. But the BEST hot dogs are the German Hot Dogs. These snappy wonders, with their tight casings that burst with flavor when you bite…