German style lunch - yum or yuck?

[disykat]

I need some opinion. A friend and I are disagreeing about the menu for a German style luncheon we are doing this Sunday after church. (We're Lutheran and it's Reformation Sunday")

Here's what we have planned : Bratwurst, German potato salad, cucumber salad, sourkraut and a dessert of apple crisp. I think there will be many people who don't like German potato salad (it's warm with a sour sauce on it) or cucumber salad. She thinks I'm nuts and can't imagine people being that picky. (I don't consider myself picky, but neither of these make my yum list) She and I agree that sourkraut won't go over big, but we both want to have some of it to carry the theme.

What do you think? If you agree with me what would you suggest?

 

[caitycaity]

sounds yummy to me.

 

[Grog]

I like Bratwurst and Apple Crisp

to the rest

 

[Wagamama]

it sounds good to me because i've had it before, maybe you could have a "regular" salad too, just in case.

 

[Catzeyes]

German potato salad is my favorite!

 

[helenabear]

I will admit if I had to go to a lunch like that I would absolutely die of starvation. Don't forget a lot of people not only do not like the taste of sourkraut, but they also cannot stand the smell of it (it does get smelly). Yes I am very picky but I honestly would not eat a thing you mentioned. That's just me though

 

[Kermit]

I would at least serve a cold potato salad in addition to the German style one. I like German potato salad, but I know a lot of people who don't.

A plain green salad with various dressings might be good for people who can't find anything they like, but it would be expensive at this time of year.

 

[goofygirl]

Sounds good!

any beer? LOL


My BF, who is German-American and Lutheran, would really approve of this meal!

 

[disykat]

It's at church so we're serving root beer. LOL Thanks for the replies - gives me some ammo for our final decision tomorrow!

 

[Eeyore2U]

German Cucumber salad is awesome. Brats are awesome. you can keep the kraut.

 

[Talking Hands]

It is definitely a typical German menu. Adding regular potato salad, etc will Americanize it but if that is what people want I guess you could. I'd love the original menu myself.

 

[mamajoan]

Sounds like a Germanic Feast to me... but when serving a large crowd that probably includes a number of kids.. you might want to throw in a green salad, a macaroni-type salad.. and of course the traditional church supper favorite. JELLO!!

I assume you are serving some type of bread to go along with the brats.

Have a great October-fest!!

 

[Poohshoney]

Hi disykat!
I may be a bit late to help you but I can help you out with more German recipes if you like.
I'm a bit confused by the potato salad though. We have lots of different ones but I've never heard of one with a sour sauce and I've never had a hot one. Can I have the recipe please?

 

[tiggerlover]

Originally posted by Poohshoney
Hi disykat!
I may be a bit late to help you but I can help you out with more German recipes if you like.
I'm a bit confused by the potato salad though. We have lots of different ones but I've never heard of one with a sour sauce and I've never had a hot one. Can I have the recipe please?

Hi Carol. Our dear German friends who are from the far north of Germany serve a hot potato salad as well, it is made with bacon, but that is all that I know. It is quite tasty.

disykat, your menu sounds great, but I agree with the others that you should have a couple of neutral choices, like an americanized potato salad and perhaps a green salad. Also if you are expecting kids, maybe you could do some hot dogs. Good luck, I hope everything turns out okay.

 

[piratesmate]

I don't know what recipe disykat is planning to use, and I have a number of variations. I've used this one. I was told it was an "old PA Dutch recipe".

German Potato Salad
8 boiled potatoes
1 stalk celery, diced
2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
1 onion, minced
1 Tbl minced parsley
4 slices bacon, diced
2 eggs, well beaten
1 c sugar
1/2 c vinegar
1/2 c water
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Boil potatoes in the jackets; when soft, peel & dice. (I usually cook the eggs in with the potatoes. For some reason it makes a difference in the overall taste.) Add celery, hard-cooked eggs, onions and parsley. Fry bacon in skillet until crisp and brown.
Beat the egg; add sugar, spices, vinegar and water; mix well. Pour mixture into the hot bacon and fat; stir until mixture thickens (~10 min). It will not be real thick. Pour over potato mixture and mix lightly. Let stand in cold place several hours before serving.

This version is served warm.
Warmer Kartoffelsalat (Hot Potato Salad)
2 lb small white potatoes
1 tsp salt
1/2 c diced bacon
1/2 c minced onion
1 1/2 tsp flour
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbl salt (ACK!)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 to 1/3 c vinegar
1/2 c water
1/4 c minced onion
2 Tbl snipped parsley
1 tsp celery seed
1/2 c sliced radishes
celery leaves
Cook potatoes in jackets with salt until fork tender. Peel & cut into 1/4" slices. In small skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Add 1/2 c minced onion and saute until tender - not brown. In bowl, mix flour, sugar, 1 Tbl salt & pepper. Stir in vinegar and water until smooth. Add to bacon, then simmer until slightly thickened. Pour this hot dressing over potatoes. Add 1/4 c minced onion, parsley, celery see and radishes. Serve lightly tossed and garnished with celery leaves. Serve 4 to 6.

 

[Poohshoney]

Thanks Piratesmate!
That's really kind of you! The second one sound's more like one of the two main types we know, just not warm. But there's so many regional cuisines here it's difficult to know them all. I'm doing my best though! Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

 

[lisaschu]

Well, the menu you described sounds like the typical Wisconsin cook out! Go figure - there's a huge German heritage here. Hence Milwaukee being called Brew City! Anyway, the menu sounds yummy to me. However, we do also serve hamburgers and/or hot dogs, jello, potato chips, veggies & dip, etc. Definitely have some neutral choices for those who may not like the choices.

Lisa

 

[jan/cape]

I am not German, but I love sourkraut and cucumber salad. I like knockwurst much, much better than bratwurst. I have never had the hot/warm potatoe salad, but I would definately give it a try.
Dutch apple pie...yum, streudel double yum!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I want to come! It sounds wonderful to me, but I love German food including kraut.