In the Mood for Some German Food

Written by Adam

Okay, let’s just cut to the chase and get the awful and ugly stereotype out of the way right now:  German food is often described as being heavy, porky, laden with fat, salt, and calories, it's gloopy, and thus only suitable for providing the caloric energy to fuel hard-working farmers clearing rocks from a field just in order to plant the potatoes.

Let the serious dispelling of those terrible lies begin here and now.  The flavor profiles  generated were much more subtle than you’d expect. The Germanic food was quite tasty and supremely honest.  The sumptuous desserts were able to hold their own and thus compete with the sheer scale of the entrees.  There were not any nutritionists stationed at nearby tables to scold you about what you were eating.  But, then again, nobody in Germany appears to be malnourished - far from it.  

Nicolas Clément - notably a French scientist - was the first to define the calorie, as I recall.  Yet even when West Germany was ultimately reunified in a burst of patriotism with East Germany - whose own cuisine borrows conveniently from the Polish and Russian traditions - you see the ultimate pointlessness of counting a calorie or even complaining about them.  You just eat to survive the brutal winter that is coming and worry about the anatomical outcome in the spring.

But, did we also note that the food available in Germany was actually pretty darn tasty?  You can even look forward to a warm and doughy pretzel at any meal if you just ask the waiter for one.  Now there’s an appetizer!

  

Getting a little thirsty?  German beer was simply world-class: served ice cold, it was especially noteworthy as a thirst-quencher and social lubricant.  Additionally, after enjoying your generous German meal, there was absolutely no doubt that you had just eaten.  This was not “first a sprig and then a sprout” kind of food.  After the meal was over, you observed people sitting around the table laughing, some enjoying a post-meal cigarette, nearly all leaning backwards to make a point during a spirited conversation. 

I might have even actually seen some lettuce here and there in Germany - gotta review the pictures below to confirm that.  So, here they are especially for you - digital photographs that are really low in calories - but presented for viewing in glorious, living color.

Don't you wish you had a pair of 3-D glasses and Smell-O-Rama?

Little glossy ornaments of blueberries to go with those cappuccinos.  You won't drink the coffee, but the dessert goes to Donna E. 

A sumptuous currywurst dedicated to our lovely friend, Hannah H.

Hearty and honest German food from the farm to the kitchen to the table.  This one is for you, Ed E. 

Just look at those grill marks on the ham nestled on a divine pillow of sauerkraut.   

That's a pork schnitzel paired with some salted fries - what else do you need?

Hearty, warm, nicely seasoned comfort food - that's a plate for you, Jay P. 

A pan-baked cloud of sweet goodness - that's real cream on the upper left.  Dedicated to our favorite baker, Sabine H.

It should be illegal to eat this dessert - but you can view a glossy heaven.  This one is for Gus B. and his lovely wife, Camille.  You two can share...

Nutrition tip: If you are somehow dieting, just skip the entrees!