European Foodie and Travel Blog© • Culinary and Culture

Made with Eggnog Liquor and White Wine. It is something you would not expect to taste this good. It can easily become your favorite drink at the Christmas Market. Egg Liquor (by Evan Williams) or the more expensive Verpoorten should be available in the US at least 6 weeks before Christmas at the Liquor store. […]

Mittenwald, Karwendel Mountains, Bavaria

Germany

Northern Europe

Travel Destinations

Mittenwald in the Karwendel mountains

When driving south from Landshut, I tried to avoid the Autobahn. After a couple of hours through South Bavaria, I arrived in Mittenwald. A lovely Bavarian town known for their Facade paintings on homes, and the Karwendel mountain peaks as a backdrop. South of where the Isar rises, Bavaria meets Tyrol. Thus, Mittenwald became a trade […]

Germany

Travel Destinations

Landshut, a Bavarian Jewel just north of Munich

Landshut is the capital of Lower Bavaria. This considerable small town of about 70,000 inhabitants was a pleasant surprise when visiting friends recently. Just 20 minutes north of the Munich Airport, Landshut is one of the richest industrialized towns in Bavaria with a striving economy. After a three-day stay Passau, I was driving for about […]

Austria

Germany

Southern Europe

Travel Destinations

A visit to the “Bergdoktor” in Ellmau

On my drive to Mittenwald I planned a stop at the town of “Going at the Wilden Kaiser” in Austria. Wilder Kaiser is the name of the mountain. Here, and in Ellmau was my all time favorite show “Der Bergdoktor” or Mountain Doctor filmed. If you ever seen the show or movie, you will recognize […]

Allgemein

Germany

Northern Europe

Travel Destinations

Healthy retreats in Germany

When I was staying in Passau recently, I didn’t know what to do on a rainy and cool day, so I decided to take a 45 minute drive to the Bad Füssing Kur town, which means a place to cure an illness. Some towns have Thermal Bath houses or Thermal Spas Open-air, natural thermal springs […]

Germany

Recipes

Southern Europe

Zürich Geschnetzeltes, a classic Swiss Veal Dish

This tender Veal dish in a creamy Mushroom sauce is a classic meal I ate while visiting my friend in Zürich. If veal is not available, you could use beef or pork instead. I had to re-create this dish at home I prepared this dish in the Instant pot. See recipe description. Served with my […]

Germany

Travel Destinations

A temple near Regensburg that’s covered with precious marble inside and out

On a sunny day, while staying in Regensburg, I took an excursion to the Walhalla memorial which is a couple minute drive north-east. The classicist building with its surrounding landscape is dominating on a mountain overlooking the Danube With this structure in the form of a temple and surrounded by columns, it’s of the most […]

Germany

Travel Destinations

The Freiburg Münster or Cathedral

I decided to stop in Freiburg, which is located in the Rhein plain at the southern edge of the Black Forest. As we were walking to the Münsterplatz, as the Marktplatz is called in Freiburg, I saw the tall Our Beloved Lady Mary Cathedral in the midst of the the historic center. This is the […]

Germany

Main Course

Recipes

Leberkäse, a German street food

I grew up on Leberkäse and I could eat it as breakfast. I also call it German Meatloaf, but the name is a misnomer, it does not contain cheese, mainly pork. Therefore some people call it Fleischkäse. You can buy these sandwiches at most Butcher shops as a snack. It is generally cut very thick. […]

Germany

Travel Destinations

Cologne Cathedral- Germany’s most exciting Church

If you would take the train to Cologne, you practically step out of the Central station and see this immense historic Cathedral or Dom looming in front of you. This time we met up with daughter and family, who vacationed a couple days in Amsterdam, a three hour train ride away. To pick them up, […]

Sankt Bartholomae island, St. Bartholomä , Bavaria, Koenigssee

Germany

Travel Destinations

Crystal clear lakes awaits you near Berchtesgaden

Königssee in Southern Bavaria in the Berchtesgadener Land, this lake has crystal-clear water and spectacular views to the mountains. A must see and should be on your bucket list A couple years back we drove through the Berchtesgadener Land, and before we arrived at the Königsee, we saw a “Zimmer frei” sign of an open […]

Germany

Travel Destinations

Burg Eltz, the oldest castle with a unique architecture

Located between Koblenz and Trier, the Eltz castle is surrounded on three sides by the Elzbach River, a tributary on the north side of the Moselle. I have been there several times with family and friends In 1157, the name Eltz was mentioned for the first time. In a gifted deed to Emperor Friedrich the […]

Birthday cake Birthday cake, German Marble Cake, Marmorkuchen

Breads and Pastry

Cake and Torte

Desserts

Germany

Recipes

Marmorkuchen or Marble Cake

Cake and birthdays inevitably belong together. Especially the marble cake is popular with children and guests alike. Optically, this classic marble cake on the birthday table is a little eye-catcher: while cutting the bright sponge meets the chocolate counterpart, the nice pattern appears, and is likely a hit. Before starting the preparation of the marble […]

Main Course

Recipes

German Wurstsalat

Many Germans grow up with this Wurstsalat recipe. In my area (Franconia), we make it with Mayonnaise and call it Fleischsalat. I tried this dish first when I visited Stuttgart (Schwabenland). It became my favorite Abendbrot or evening supper. Taste great with my Bauernbrot or a crusty Baguette

Belgium

Breads and Pastry

Desserts

Recipes

Belgian Waffles in Brugge

These Waffles are stuck on my mind, because they are so exceptional, light and fluffy.

Germany

Travel Destinations

A Mosel cruise to Cochem

It was late August 2018 when we were staying at the Rhein. We started out early to drive to Koblenz and parked at the Görreplatz Parking garage, from where we walked down do the KD cruise dock landing. Unfortunately our Rhein day cruise, that was supposed to leave at 9 am to 8 pm, was […]

German meat patties, Fleischkräpfle , Frikadellen, Buletten

Germany

Main Course

Frikadelle or German Meat Patties

My mothers recipe. There are different variation, but one thing she used nutmeg and lemon juice, zest. In Bavaria it’s called Fleischpflanzerl, in Franconia Fleischkuechle, Fleischkraepfle or Frikadelle, and in the North Buletten or Bratklops. Frikadelle or German Meat Patties Print Rate this recipe 1 2 3 4 5 1 ratings Angie with AngiesWeb […]

Austria

Northern Europe

Travel Destinations

Three days in Salzburg, Austria

On the way to Austria, we made a stop in the Salzburger Land (Salzburg area). It was late in the afternoon when we drove into the town of Grödig, only 6 km from Salzburg. We knocked on the door of this darling bed and breakfast “Landhaus Bachmann”. A friendly lady, which happened to be the […]

Cake and Torte

Desserts

Germany

Recipes

Käsesahne Torte, or Cream Cake

One of my favorite Cakes or Tortes when sitting at a street cafe in Germany. It’s a little challenging for a beginner, but it’s worthwhile and tastes great! Best to start planning and preparing the cake 2 to 3 days before. The Cake bottom needs to be baked the day ahead and Cream topping should rest in the refrigerator approximately 12 hours to get firm

Allgemein

Breads and Pastry

Germany

Northern Europe

Recipes

Travel Destinations

German Bakeries and their Secret

I became a hobby baker when there were no bakeries with fresh breads available; basically out of necessity. So every time I am in Germany, I do my bakery run in the morning, since there are at least two of them in walking distance. I noticed a distinct difference between bakeries, so I did some reading. […]

Germany

Recipes

Soups

Vegetarian

Creamy Garlic-Leek Soup

Yesterday I was craving some comfort food. Plus I had a sick person in the house, so I thought about this soup I ate in Austria. We were in the Wachau, at the Danube, and stopped at a Restaurant for lunch. We had a large breakfast at our B&B, and I just wanted something small. […]

Germany

Travel Destinations

Würzburg, where I grew up

Whenever we visit my hometown Würzburg we rent a little vacation home in Veitshöchheim, a town 10 km down the river. In the Morning, after our Brötchen run we take take the boat to Würzburg. The view across the Old Bridge over the Main towards the the silhouette dominated by steeples of old Churches and […]

Austria

Travel Destinations

Sankt Gilgen, Wolfgangsee

Sankt Gilgen lies at the picturesque Wolfgangsee (Lake Wolfgang). Here it is easy to leave everyday life behind – use the numerous water sports or relax in peace at one of the sunny and idyllic beaches right on the lake.

Austria

Breads and Pastry

Main Course

Recipes

Kaiserschmarrn, a traditional Austrian dish

While strolling through the cobblestone streets of Vienna, Austria, we stopped for lunch at Café Central (est. 1876) for some original Austrian food. The waiter highly recommended this Austrian dish Kaiserschmarrn is an original Austrian sweet dish, made from Palatschinken (pancake) dough. It was created for Kaiser Franz Joseph and Elisabeth (Sissi) in 1854. He […]

Austria

Germany

Main Course

Recipes

Side dish

Käsespätzle, or Cheese Spaetzle

While on vacation in Sankt Gilgen, Austria I had this typical Austrian dish called “Käsespatzen”. It consists of Spaetzle noodles and grated hard cheese that is alternately stacked and garnished with fried onions. The Cheese Spaetzle are pushed into the hot oven after they have been layered, so that the Spaetzle does not cool down and the […]

Austria

Germany

Travel Destinations

The Krampus Folklore

The Krampus is an Alpine custom, a frightening figure of the Advent (beginning of December). While accompanying Saint Nicholas, Nicholas presents good children, and the naughty ones are punished by Krampus, the evil counterpart. By the middle of the twentieth century, this aspect of Krampus was much more accentuated as a scared-faced, black-faced freak who […]

Potato pancakes, Kartoffelpuffer, Latkes

Appetizer

Austria

Germany

Main Course

Recipes

Side dish

Potato Pancakes or Kartoffelpuffer

This is a quick lunch, dinner or just an appetizer. Eaten with apple sauce, sour cream or anything you desire.

Allgemein

Germany

Northern Europe

Schwibbogen Ornament

The Schwibbogen is a candle arch from the Erzgebirge. It’s a Christmas decoration that can be found in almost any home in the region. The Schwibbögen is an integral part of the Erzgebirge folk art.

Gluehwein, Glühwein (hot mulled Red Wine)

Austria

Drinks, mixed

Germany

Northern Europe

Recipes

Glühwein (hot mulled Red Wine)

Standing around the table at a German Christmas Market talking and laughing with friends drinking hot Gluehwein. That’s how I remember. Taste great with my Spekulatius cookies Easy Glühwein Recipe here Missing the German Christmas Markets. You can get into the mood drinking Glühwein next to a German Christmas Pyramide. Order below:

Allgemein

Germany

Travel Destinations

Historic Timbered Style Homes

My Grandparents half-timbered home (Fachwerk) in Dettelbach was built in 1560. They discovered it by chance when renovating it. Of course it has plumbing and electric for decades, it’s just the ceilings are really low and walls are crooked. The town has strict architectural guidelines. I was intrigued by Fachwerk growing up, and always wondered […]

Watercolor coffee mugs by GermaniaDesign.com

Allgemein

Germany

My Art

Northern Europe

Travel Destinations

My Watercolor art on coffee mugs

I’ve been painting Bavarian/Frankonian castles, landscapes and architecture and have added my art to the mugs in a sublimation process. The mugs are dishwasher and microwave proof. My Watercolor mugs are on Final Sale, 2 for $16 plus shipping ($8). I take PayPal. Still available: Nürnberg with Wappen, Nürnberg Heilig Geist Spital and Foltersteg, Würzburg […]

German Bauernbrot or whole wheat crusty bread

Breads and Pastry

Germany

Recipes

Mein Bauernbrot (No knead German Crusty Bread)

I became a bread baking enthusiast after watching a NY Times video of Sullivan Bakery in New York. It started as “It’s so easy, a four year old can do it”. I had to try, and I am hooked ever since.
Read More

Germany

Main Course

Recipes

Schäufele on the Menu

Schäufele (Schaufele translates to small shovel) is a traditional dish that is mainly served in the my hometown Würzburg and the Franconia region of Germany. Every year, at my class reunion, I treat myself to this meal when meeting at a restaurant with my former class mates. When finished cooking, it resembles something between grilled […]

Allgemein

Germany

Travel Destinations

Germany Cost of Living

This information was compiled by Americans (German/Americans) who currently live in Germany, or go back and forth. Exchange rates make a difference, at that time January 2018 it was 1 Euro ~ $1.18. Update: At this time it’s even better, Oct. 2019, 1 Euro ~ $1.10 Per Facebook group ” Americans living in/considering moving to […]

Austria

Desserts

Germany

Northern Europe

Recipes

Austrian Topfenknödel

A typical Austrian or Bavarian dish I ate in Mittenwald, South Bavaria. These are called “Topfenknödel“. Topfen means Quark, and can be substituted with Greek Yoghurt. The dumplings could be be filled with Plum or Apricot pieces, and covered with puppy seed instead of bread crumps. While preparing the Topfenknoedel, you can make the Vanilla […]

Germany

Main Course

Recipes

Sweet-sour and tangy Sauerbraten

A Sunday meal I remember growing up. That sweet and sour, tangy taste and smell you won’t forget. Some have to develop tastebuds for it. Sauerbraten can be a big hit a the dinner table, you can’t go wrong cooking for a big crowd. Plan for it way in advance, the marinating takes several days […]

Allgemein

Germany

Main Course

Recipes

Döner, a popular street food

A Döner is the Turkish version Greek Gyros. When in Germany, I order my Plate with a slaw, cucumber, tomatoes and fried garlic potatoes. It’s my other favorite street food while in Germany. The true Döner was discovered 1867 by Iskender Efendi (Master Alexander), the original family restaurant is located near Istanbul (Bursa), Turkey, where […]