Pulled Pork
A couple of weeks ago there was a wedding at my parents-in-law acreage. For an easy lunch my mother-in-law made some pulled pork and served it with some side salad. It’s easy to eat while running around and doing some things. I was amazed by the flavour, not just of the pork but also my the soup that was left over as a result.
I was asked to make a dainty tray for church and so I am thinking “What to do?” First I thought Whoopie Pies because that was on my mind for a while. But I also wanted to make a mix of things, not just one. Besides, I had some things left over.
I am not sure if you know this, but I grew up in the GDR, behind the Iron Curtain so to speak. It were brief 5 years but a culture doesn’t simply disappear, it changes slowly. A lot of things from the GDR culture is gone, although it has seen a revival with so called GDR stores. Anyway, the point is, as any culture, we had certain recipes in the GDR that were and still are quite unique.
Lately my life has been busier than ever and I try to keep the regular life things as simple as possible. That’s also true for potluck cooking and the last visit to Germany gave me the perfect idea. My mother made the same dish for my birthday and it was a big hit.
I receive “The I love Trader Joe’s Vegetarian Cookbook” the other day in the mail and it was a perfect week for that. Because once a month I am doing a Veggie Week and it sometimes is difficult to find a meal for supper. Now I’ve got a book load full of recipes.
On November the 11th we celebrate St.Martin’s Day in some parts of Germany. It’s a celebration about sharing and being a role model to other people, showing kindness even though one doesn’t have much him-/herself. As most celebrations, this days also has it’s culinary specialties and the Weckmänner are one of it.
The other day I thought about what to make for Autumn. My mind wandered around my kitchen and what type of tools and things I have there. I know there a bunch of things for Halloween, but I am not there yet. However, I wanted to make something, something that’s not pie for that matter. Finally, I remember that I have leave cookie cutters, as well as a pumpkin and acorn. They are originally for pie but great for cookies too. Now all that I had to decide for was a recipe.
Simple and delicious
I was talking to my co-worker about German food the other day. She is also German and we both miss somethings that you just can’t get in North America, or at least not where we are living. Since she also likes to bake we talked about various cakes and she mentioned that she really misses the Marble Cake her mother used to make. She told me that she tried to make it here but it wouldn’t work, it was too dense, almost hard. I though “Well, lets see if I can make this”. Actually, Marble cake is not very complicated but it can get trick with all the differences between Germany and North America.
I told you that I will have themed months for 2012 and I certainly hope I will be able to keep that up for all 12 months. January will be about bread and not just bread but also buns and we start off with a biscuit. (Ok, that neither falls under bread nor under rolls I believe but I think you get the meaning.)
Biscuits are certainly not too common in Germany, at least I don’t recall them from home or anything. I believe the first time I came across them was when I lived in Northern Ireland. The Islands are known for their love of biscuits, crumpets and scones. They come in various shapes and flavours and are really versatile.
This recipes is another of those that I learned at the Bistro when working at Dutch growers and I love them a lot.
Must have for Christmas.
These cookies are my absolute favourite Christmas cookie, ever. I am not so sure where the recipe comes from, however, I know mom made these for Christmas since I can remember. It is a really simple recipe, the issue is: do you have the means to make the shape?
Baking in Saskatoon 