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Project Food Blog Challenge #2- The Classics

My challenge: Pick an ethnic classic that is outside your comfort zone or are not as familiar with. You should include how you arrived at this decision in your post.

Any recipe that begins with “Have a large sheet ready to roll dough” is out of my comfort zone…..and so exciting to think about trying! And that began my quest to create two authentic German specialties, German potato salad and Apfelstrudel. Happy Oktoberfest!!

When I heard the news that I advanced from the first challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to tackle for the second challenge. My husband’s family is from Germany. One of my best friends met her husband in Germany and they visit his family in Frankfurt every few years. These two people mean the world to me and I wanted to honor them with this challenge. I wanted to make Ziggy’s (Sigfreid) potato salad and Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)

German Potato Salad

Whenever we all get together, Ziggy’s  potato salad is the first request. We had no idea what made it so special, but we knew we loved it. I asked my friend for the recipe and she quickly rattled off the ingredients and told me to make the sauce first, add the other stuff and stir. Easy, right?  Later that night, I got a text that said “Ziggy needs to talk to you about the potato salad”.  What followed was a delightful 30 minute conversation that told me so much more than how to make the salad. I realized what makes it so special. It’s the passion and love that he and his family put into every stir of the spoon. He talked more about finding the right balance of sweet and sour, making sure that I TAKE MY TIME when mixing, and making sure that I’m confident in the final product.  It’s not so much the ingredients as it is the time to make something special for friends and family. Here is my version of Ziggy’s Potato Salad.

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Sauce: lots of good stuff!                                                  My notes and mess

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Cooked potatoes into the sauce                                                   My notes from Ziggy

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German Potato Salad

Apfelstrudel

I thought the Apfelstrudel would take the most time. I’ve never made anything like this before, and honestly, wasn’t sure I could do it. But then that invincible fearless thought kicked in and I decided to go for it. Strudel is any pastry that has to be filled, then rolled and baked.

Check out the madness!

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Dough                                                                            Apples in sugar and vanilla

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Roll and oil the dough. Stretch paper thin.                    Top with apples, cranberries, walnuts, butter, sugar.

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Use sheet to roll up. CAREFULLY!!!!                                 Cook 350* and baste with butter

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Done!!!                                                                        The magic cut…AMAZING!

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My first Apfelstrudel.

These two dishes allowed me to enjoy some of the classic foods from Germany, where the families of my best friend and husband reside today. This was fun and I look forward to more recipes like this!

@lickmyspoon

Wednesday 29th of September 2010

That strudel looks so comforting, could you email me the recipe? I want to add it to my list of recipes to do when the weather cools off.

You've got a vote of ours, good luck this week!

Lick My Spoon

Tina

Tuesday 28th of September 2010

I came to check out your PFB entry and I'm so glad I did. Not only does your entry look fabulous but I also love the look of your blog and everything else I've seen. :)

Gina Ruiz

Tuesday 28th of September 2010

Beautiful presentation and the streudel looks amazing. You have one of my votes. Good luck!

Katrina

Monday 27th of September 2010

Lee, thanks for reminding me. I just uploaded a new post with the link (we didn't get it until the voting opened this morning) and directions. The only way to vote is to be logged into foodbuzz. It's giving me fits right now, though. Here is the link also. http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/2/view/1043

Lee

Monday 27th of September 2010

Do you have a link to vote for you? Foodbuzz keeps crashing when I try to actually look up the blogger.