My Kitchen, My World…Germany!

This Week, Roxanne of Roxanne’s Road Rules chose Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest…what perfect timing! I have been craving big, soft, homemade pretzels…so of course I decided to participate.

It is kind of sad for me, you see, as MKMW is MY baby. And I left her. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time anymore, and I knew I wasn’t doing the group justice, so instead of letting it fade away, I turned it over to one of my favorite bloggers, Lauren of I’ll Eat You to run. She’s doing a bang up job!! Go see for yourself!

Now, back to the pretzels. That’s all I made. I really can’t say I like German food. I worked at Mountain Lake for several years and was in charge of Oktoberfest there for nearly 5 years. That’s 2 shows a week for 6 weeks, times 5 years, so, 60 Oktoberfests for me. I got Bavaria-ed out. Leiderhosen haunted my dreams. Jaegermeister burnt the hair right out of my nose. If I never hear another oompah band, that’s fine and dandy. I can hear the damned music in my head as I type this. Seriously.

But the pretzels. God Love the Pretzels. I do.

I followed Alton Brown’s recipe over at the Food Network for the ones I made. They were simple, spot on, and came out pretty perfect. All except one thing…they baked right into the parchment paper. Whaaaa? Yep, had to cut the bottoms right off. I had this weirdo feeling the whole time, too, like I just knew it was going to happen…and it did. Any advice? Why?

They were great though…great with cheese, with salt, and especially great dipped in homemade dulce de leche. Oh Gaaaah. Really good that way.

Oh, one last note. Yes, I have been to Germany. In fact, it was the first European soil I set foot on. Frankfurt Airport, 2000. Then to Munich…and finally back to Cologne after a 3 week train trek with Jon and our friends Rikki and Doug. Man was that ever a great trip. Even though this pic isn’t taken in Germany, I am sharing it anyway. Thanks, guys – I love you two! (and you, too, Jon.)