Quick, Easy & Inexpensive German Food for Extension Homemakers Night

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread centers around suggestions for quick, easy, and inexpensive German food options suitable for an upcoming Extension Homemakers event. Participants share personal experiences and recipes, discussing various dishes and their preferences.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a need for a German food suggestion that can be served cold or at room temperature.
  • Another participant mentions German Potato Salad as a must-have at family gatherings and notes it can be served hot or cold.
  • One participant suggests Spaetzle, describing it as a dumpling that is very good.
  • Another participant shares a family recipe for Sauerkraut, indicating it is typically served warm or at room temperature, and offers to share Bavarian recipes.
  • One participant expresses a dislike for Sauerkraut and requests dessert suggestions, specifically something quick and easy.
  • A participant provides a detailed recipe for chocolate-dipped spritz cookies, highlighting its ease and availability of ingredients.
  • Another participant suggests a German chocolate cake trifle, though they note that trifles are not traditionally German.
  • One participant mentions making chocolate-dipped spritz cookies for the event, considering them a unique option compared to others.
  • Another participant shares a family recipe for Ei Kuchen (egg nog cake) and mentions Kartoffelkloesse (potato dumplings) as a staple but prefers them warm.
  • One participant shares their success with the spritz cookies, noting they were a hit at the event.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on preferred dishes, with some participants favoring traditional options like potato salad and others leaning towards desserts. No clear consensus emerges on a single dish to bring.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and family recipes, reflecting a variety of cultural backgrounds and preferences related to German cuisine.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for quick and easy German food ideas for events may find the shared recipes and experiences beneficial.

raebates
raebates
Staff member
Messages
18,217
I'm attending an event on Tuesday to which I need to take German food of some kind. Anyone have suggestions for something quick, easy, and inexpensive? I'd prefer something that didn't have to remain hot. Cold wouldn't be a problem.

TIA!



Not that anyone asked, but I'm attending an Extension Homemakers International Night. I'll be joining the organization soon. As a 10-year 4-H member I was familiar with the Extension Homemakers as a source of great support and volunteers. I knew that they did some charity work. That was all I knew. At a recent networking event we talked about organizations that would interest us on a person level that we could also envision as a possible network source. When the leader pointed to me I said, "I'm sitting here wondering why I'm not a part of the Extension Homemakers. They are women interested in the preserving the home arts. These women are a wonderful place for me to meet others--some might become customers, all are sources for information that could make me more valuable to my current customers. If there's a group that speaks to your heart, joining might be a way to build connections and, by extension, your business.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thanks. I'll check those out.
 
I've only eaten spaetzle hot. There is an awesome plum tart that would be terrific in our torte pans. The German Potato salad is a great idea.
 
Being German and DH from Germany.... I have endless recipes I could give you.Do you have something more specific as to a "side", "main course", or "dessert" as far as you are looking for?I have a couple of family Bavarian recipes that I would be willing to share.[edit] I went back and did a re-read of your post. I have a family Sauerkraut recipe that I think would be interesting to do in the DCB (even I haven't done it yet!). It is usually served either warm or "room temp" not cold - even though many Germans love cold kraut from the jar [/edit]
 
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Ashley, since I can't stand the smell of Sauerkraut, I think I'll pass. :)

I'd love a dessert--something quick and easy that would be a bit different. Got any suggestions?
 
Chocolate dipped spritz cookies

Ingredients:
•1 cup powdered sugar
•1 cup butter, softened
•1 egg
•1 tsp. vanilla OR almond extract
•2-1/4 cups flour
•1/4 tsp. salt
•8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
•1 Tbsp. shortening
•chopped almonds or coconut
Preparation:
In large bowl, combine powdered sugar and butter and beat until fluffy. Add egg and extract, beating well. Stir in flour and salt just until a dough forms. Chill the dough, covered, for 1-2 hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Using the bar plate in a cookie press, press out long strips of dough onto cookie sheets, 1" apart. Score the strips of dough at 2-1/2" intervals. Bake at 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes until just set. Cookies shouldn't brown. Immediately cut into cookies along scored lines. Cool cookies on wire rack. Make sure to press out the next batch of cookies onto TOTALLY COOL cookie sheets. If you use hot cookie sheets, the dough will melt before it bakes and you'll have a big mess.

Melt chocolate and shortening microwave oven, stirring until smooth. Dip half of each cookie into the chocolate, dipping on an angle and varying the sides of the cookie you dip. Shake off excess chocolate and place on waxed paper. Sprinkle chocolate with nuts, coconut, or colored sprinkles.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Lori, those would be easy, and I have everything I'd need on hand. Those definitely go on the "consider this" list.
 
raebates said:
Ashley, since I can't stand the smell of Sauerkraut, I think I'll pass. :)

I'd love a dessert--something quick and easy that would be a bit different. Got any suggestions?
Click to expand...

If you ate the sauerkraut, you'd pass, too.
 
Since your party is still in April and the trifle bowl is on special, did you consider making a German chocolate cake trifle of some sort? I'm not sure how you could do it, but what I love about trifles is that you throw ingredients together and it's always good. :)
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
If you ate the sauerkraut, you'd pass, too.
Click to expand...

only if it isn't GOOD sauerkraut. I miss good sauerkraut...

German potato salad!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Adnoel, that would be a good idea, but to the best of my knowledge trifles aren't German, even if I used traditionally German flavors. Ashley, I look forward to seeing some of those recipes. Since we're getting close in time I'm going to have to make a decision. I've had spaetzle, but it's one of those things that I think is best hot. I'm not sure I'd be able to keep it hot before serving. I'm also afraid that there will be several people bringing German potato salad, since that's one of the first things that popped into my mind. The plum tart sounds great, but I haven't seen plums in the stores.So, I'll be making the chocolate-dipped Spritz cookies. I figure those will be a bit different from what others might bring.
 
I have the family recipe for Ei Kuchen (egg nog cake) EXTREMELY moist that I make in our bundt-stone (sorry blanking on the name)!

A staple to the German diet Kartoffelkloesse (potato dumplings) but I would want to eat them warm!


mmmmmm... sauerkraut.... we devour it in our house, I can't make a big enough batch!
 
http://www.recipesource.com/

http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/europe/german/
 
  • Thread starter
  • #16
Thank you, Lori G. The cookies were a HUGE hit. There weren't even any crumbs left--just a few lonely shreds of coconut.
 
Rae - it sounds like you were a hit! So neat when that happens! I have a question about the recipe. How many cookies did you get out of that batch?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #18
I used the old cookie press and got 2 dozen 2 1/2" long cookies plus a few ends. I think the new one is narrower, so it would make more. I doubled the chocolate to make it easier to dip, knowing that The Furry Guy would gladly eat it. He'll eat the ends, too.
 
Thanks Rae! This sounds like a great recipe to use to me too! I too LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!! But I love COOKIES too! And easy ones at that!
 
yay, glad it turned out well for you =)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #21
I made them with the almond flavoring. I was just thinking that they'd be good for Christmas with orange flavoring. Orange and chocolate together always make me think of Christmas.
 
raebates said:
I made them with the almond flavoring. I was just thinking that they'd be good for Christmas with orange flavoring. Orange and chocolate together always make me think of Christmas.
Click to expand...

Micah & I just shared an orange & chocolate candy bar. :D
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some quick and easy German dishes suitable for Extension Homemakers Night?

Some quick and easy German dishes include Bratwurst with sauerkraut, Kartoffelsalat (potato salad), and Spätzle (egg noodles). These dishes can be prepared in advance and are perfect for serving a group.

How can I make German food inexpensive for a large gathering?

To keep costs down, focus on using seasonal vegetables, buy ingredients in bulk, and consider simple recipes that require fewer expensive ingredients. Dishes like German potato salad and cabbage rolls are budget-friendly options.

What are some traditional German desserts that are quick to prepare?

Traditional German desserts that are quick to prepare include Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake). You can also make simple cookies like Lebkuchen (gingerbread) that can be baked in batches.

Can I incorporate Pampered Chef tools to make preparing German food easier?

Absolutely! Pampered Chef offers a variety of kitchen tools that can streamline the cooking process, such as the Food Chopper for quick vegetable prep, the Mix N' Chop for ground meats, and the Stoneware for even baking of casseroles and breads.

What beverages pair well with German food for the event?

For beverages, consider serving German beers, Riesling or Gewürztraminer wines, and non-alcoholic options like sparkling water or apple juice. These pair well with the flavors of German cuisine and will please a variety of tastes.

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