Gastronomical Delights of Germany

Sometimes the titles come easy and sometimes I can't think of one.

Breakfast: Usually there were two or more types of bread or buns. You could have butter, margarine, a sour cream type spread, or in one place I saw lard available to spread on the bread. Many cold cuts of meat and cheese were the ordinary fare. Then for the ones with sweet tooth desires there was a selection of jam, jelly and honey. Should cold cereal be offered frequently a bowl of mixed fruit would be offered to go along with it. Sometimes there would be tomatoes and cucumbers as well. We never saw or were offered any cooked cereal, pancakes or waffles. Many times boiled eggs were on the table but only in one hotel were eggs prepared any other way available. Sometimes there were cooked sausages or bacon.

Midday meal - in many homes this is the dinner of the day. It is probably a hot meal and very substantial. There would be a salad, a meat, a starch or two, a vegetable or combination of veggies and a light dessert or fruit. Bread is served with the salad and left on the table and used at the end of the meal to clean up the gravy.
We had traditional German stews, of various meats and veggies mixed together. There is a real liking for Italian cooking so some of the family served Italian dishes with plenty of pasta, spicy sauces and salads with oil and vinegar dressings usually flavoured with one or more herbs.

Late afternoon is time for the cake and coffee or tea. A relaxing time to sit and chat. There are some very tasty cakes.

Evening meal - If it is the dinner of the day would be similar to the midday meal. If you have a hot meal in the midday you are likely to be served something similar to the breakfast menu.

Spatzel - I think this is how it is spelled - is a German noodle similar to our homemade noodles only much thinner and very narrow. It could be served with any variety of meat and veggies. I don't think it has a particular sauce of its own but you use what ever gravy comes with your meat. I really like them.

Beers and wines are offered at every eating place except McDonalds and Burgerking. Also offered in all the relatives' homes. Being tea totlers we opted for other choices. No milk was ever offered for drinking only a little to put on your cereal at breakfast. Cream was available for coffee and tea drinkers who use it. A variety of fruit juices are readily available but they come in very small bottles. Also pops are available in some places. Water is never offered free of charge. You may have water with or without gas (carbonation) at room temp. or cold. If you ask for ice water you get the funniest stare from the waitress or waiter. Ice is never placed in a drink except at the fast food places. Ice (not spelled this way but sounding the same) is ice cream.

White asparagus and strawberries were on the open market all over the country. Every restaurant advertised fresh asparagus in one or more dishes.

Just lick your lips and let your mouth water. AH AH AH!