“Man muß die Feste feiern, wie sie fallen.” – There is a German saying that you have to celebrate the occasions as they fall – in other words, if there’s a reason to party, let’s do it! For Germans, the last weekend in May is typically not a special BBQing weekend, but while Memorial Day weekend officially starts grilling season here in the US, Germans are quite the BBQing people as well. We love our grills just the same. 
So, while M-Day may not be something we are used to, we embrace it pretty much as soon as we settle into this country.
We had a Memorial Day barbeque planned when I got the acceptance email for my “24×24” proposal from Foodbuzz. That was the additional push to make me go all out!
The menu was simple, but plentiful. We had a nice cross-section of what you would typically find at such an event in Germany, or a picnic with friends:
- German currywurst
- German bratwursts of all kinds and steak
- herbed quark dip and Frankfurter Grüne Soße (Frankfurt-style Herb Dip)
- Vienna schnitzel with German mustard Straßburg-style bologna salad with aged Swiss cheese, raw onions and pickles
- German crunchy vegetable salad with fennel, carrots, endive and apples
- German potato salad with bacon and apples
- pan-fried potatoes and salt-boiled potatoes
- cucumber salad with dill and yogurt
- Turkish “shepherd’s salad” with tomatoes, cucumber and raw onion
- German cheesecake
- German egg liqueur cake with almonds and semolina
- German sourdough “mixed” bread and whole wheat bread
- German pretzels and pretzel rolls
- … and of course, (German) BEER
As party planning goes, some things turned out differently than expected. Instead of about 10 guests, we had over 20, not counting the kids. Instead of games for the kids that I had lined up, they swarmed around the neighbor’s play set and pretty much weren’t heard from for a few hours. One thing that worked out as expected: we had people there from three countries – Germany, Turkey and the US – and I tortured them with some German music.
I took Wednesday last week off to go shopping. The issue with living where we do is that if you want specialized foods, you basically have to hop in the car and drive. I did a round through Cleveland/OH, starting at the Westside Market, and returned home after a 6-hour shopping marathon with a trunk full of yummies.
There is a German-style butcher there who sells really nice brats, and I left with a pile of Nürnberger brats, cooked and raw bratwurst. I also procured some veal cutlets for the Schnitzel and beef steaks, along with fresh produce and herbs for the dips. The last stop was Trader Joe’s, primarily for reasonably-priced German beer (they also sell German-style beer for a very low price under their own brand name).
Friday afternoon and Saturday morning were spent baking and cooking. As a matter of fact, I haven’t cooked for THIS many people since we closed our store, which was exciting. When it was all said and done, I had churned out a variety of salads, breads, and cakes. My husband is quite the grill master, who cooked all those brats and steaks to perfection… You can tell by the photographs that fun was had by all!
As there was so much food, I am going to divide subsequent recipes and posts up into the following sections:
- 5/28/12: Meats, including a recipe for Wiener Schnitzel (Vienna Schnitzel)
- 5/29/12: Potato dishes, including recipes for German potato salad, pan-fried potatoes and salt-boiled potatoes
- 5/30/12 & 5/31/12: Salads, including recipes for Turkish shepherd’s salad and cucumber salad
- 6/1/12: Dips, including a recipe for Frankfurt-style herb dip
- 6/2/12: Breads, including a recipe for German “mixed” sourdough bread
- 6/3/12 & 6/4/2012: Desserts, including recipes for classic German cheesecake and egg liqueur cake
Links to the related posts will go live as soon as the post is up and can be interlinked.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed making all the food!!
[...] stuff. The plug etc. was not a problem, we have an AC converter. I was planning to use it for the Memorial Day BBQ, and among others I wanted to really purée the herbs and other ingredients for the Frankfurt-style [...]
What an incredible party! I would want to eat everything and then I’d pass out on your couch and have to stay over the whole weekend. Actually, if you kept cooking like this, I might never leave!
Anita at Hungry Couple recently posted..Cucumbers with Tahini & Crumbled Feta
Hey, if THIS is what it takes, come on over. I’ll cook for you for days and days.
[...] Julia: Your meal looks amazing… mmmm, I love pretzels, … [...]
[...] Julia: Your meal looks amazing… mmmm, I love pretzels, … [...]
Your meal looks amazing… mmmm, I love pretzels, those look awesome!
Thank you! They are a little more involved to make than what most people think, but they are so worth it.
Hi Sofie! I came here from Maureen’s site, and I enjoyed browsing your site. Congrats on 24×24! My grandparents used to visit Germany many many times for vacation and they loved there. My grandma even learned how to speak and I remembered she said it’s very difficult language to learn. Unfortunately I’ve never been to not only Germany but also EU, but definitely need to visit one day. I love potatoes so much and I got excited to see so many potato recipes!!! Need to try some of them bookmarked in the near future. =)
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Thank you for stopping by! Yes, I LOVE potatoes – you can be sure there’ll be more.
[...] GermanFoodie: Danke!! If there is anything here that you are dyi… [...]
[...] GermanFoodie: I am almost tempted to subscribe to my own email f… [...]
Hi Sofie!! Congratulations on the 24×24!! It’s wonderful! I was so happy to see you there… good thing because I haven’t been getting any posts sent to me anymore from your blog.
I don’t know why they stopped coming to my email address… but I have to figure out how to sign up again for it. I thought you were taking a break from blogging when I didn’t get any emails… so now I know I missed a lot. Sorry!! Have a great weekend! ~ Ramona
I am almost tempted to subscribe to my own email feed so I know it’s working. Sorry you’re having so much trouble. I’ve been so busy lately, I am reading more than I have time to comment – so don’t worry about it! XOXO
[...] is the sixth in a series of posts I am doing for a foodbuzz German Memorial Day BBQ. Other topics [...]
It all looks fantastic – and I’m sure it tasted fantastic, too! These are the days I really hate having food allergies!
Danke!! If there is anything here that you are dying to try, I would be game to develop an allergy-friendly version of it. Let me know!
Looks like a great time! I love seeing German food for the bbq, I really need to embrace more of my heritage and start cooking more German creations!
Thank you! I have only been writing for just over 6 months, but you’ll find quite a bit here to start with. If there is a particular dish you would like to know more about that you cannot find here, just let me know.
[...] is the fifth in a series of posts I am doing for a foodbuzz German Memorial Day BBQ. Other topics [...]
[...] is the fourth in a series of posts I am doing for a foodbuzz German Memorial Day BBQ. Other topics [...]
[...] GermanFoodie: THANKS! Yes, German beer was a must-have. LOL I th… [...]
This really looks like a great barbecue. Of course, getting some Paulaner beer was essential. Otherwise, you had a great selection of food. Was this bbq then rather a south Germany based one, or German in general?
Chris recently posted..Turkish Pizza: Lahmacun
THANKS! Yes, German beer was a must-have. LOL I think food-wise this was more Southern German, but my friend from Kiel who was there didn’t object to a single thing… I guess the boundaries are blurred more these days.
It still cracks me up that you live right by where I’m from, so I know exactly what you’re talking about
. It looks like an amazinggg BBQ!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) recently posted..Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding (Lightened Up)
You know there’s no NOT meeting up when you visit next, right?! LOL
Looks like Memorial Day BBQ was a super big hit my friend – so many fun and family awesomeness pictures
Gorgeous food as well – that cake is my weakness no doubt
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Exciting, Exciting, Exciting!
Thanks! I’m just now catching up… This was FUN!
Everything looks so good Sofie and those pretzels! I love hot soft fresh pretzels! Your back yard is looking good too! I guess you found someone to take care of it
Susan recently posted..The Great GoogaMooga – Part 2
Yes, I got some good help w/ that yard after all…. LMAO Those pretzels are actually slightly crunchy on the outside, the way I make them. Oh, and thanks!
Sofie, what a delicious memorial day. All of the food looks amazing. It looks like you had a lovely time with family and friends. Happy Memorial Day my friend.
Likewise! Love you more!
holy cow what a feast!! When I lived in Orlando we joined the German-American club. Neither of us was German but we went for the food.
I would have loved your party!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Noosa Food and Wine Festival
I can see that! I would hang out w/ anybody who cooks well – told you you’d be one of them! I’d even come to NSW!
What a great 24 meal! Looks like a great time and awesome food – thanks for sharing.
Jess recently posted..Breakfast Burger Supreme
Thank you so very much for stopping by! We did have a lot of fun.
I’d love to have a taste of EVERYTHING you listed here
(I have my eye on the German Cheesecake)
Lyn @LovelyPantry recently posted..Red Quinoa and Avocado Salad with Goldenberries, Edamame and a Lemon-Cumin Vinaigrette
Thank you! You’ll love it!
I wish I lived closer!!! I’m German somewhere. So, I would have fit right in, right?
I am tuning in this week! I can’t wait! Great job and congrats on your 24×24!
Jen @ Juanita’s Cocina recently posted..Kalua Pulled Pork ~ Memorial Day #SundaySupper
Thank you! You know, I’d LOVE to cook w/ you at the cocina some time! Let me know?!
While you do not see me in any photos, I WAS there and I ate heartily! I’m a vegetarian and left plenty stuffed with good food and drink! Parties at Sofie and Alptekin’s are always fun because there are an interesting group of people, from all walks of life and various countries of origin. There are children, too, who always liven up the conversation. It is fun to show up and see who else will be there and to know that you can come and go when you want/need to, and that will be just fine! What a great party, with great company, superb hosts, and fantastic food!
Love you, too, sweetie! Thanks for coming, and looking forward to hanging out w/ you this summer!!!
Everything looks fabulous, Sofie! I will have to make some of these for my German FIL…he’s always searching for German recipes his grandmother used to make. He’d be in heaven…and I would, too!
Liz recently posted..Grilled Chicken Lettuce Wraps…#SundaySupper~
If there is anything you want me to help you recreate, let me know – it’s something I take pride in…!
Great job, Sofie!! Congrats on the 24×24…looks like it was quite a German celebration!!!
Thank you very much! We did have a ton of fun!
I how I wish I could have been there. What a German feast! Lecker!
Renee recently posted..Rosemary Focaccia for #BreakingBread
You know, I will cook for you any time – let me know when you want me to stop by…
Awesome spread!Everything looks delectable.I love bratwursts and your German cake with Almonds and Semolina sounds delicious
Your guests must have had a great time [even if they were tortured by the german music 
]
Soni recently posted..Soba Noodles with Swiss Chard and Mushrooms~ #Sunday Supper
Thanks! I think they endured the music so they could get to the food, frankly… LOL