For any American, it’s a possible assumption that “Pom Frit” is a bad thing, but really, it is a delectable, shoestring shaped potato…aka a French fry. Unlike the American French fry, Pommes Frites is not made in a deep vat of three day old grease hidden in the darkest corner of your typical cafeteria kitchen. It is made on the spot while you wait at your local “hot dog” stand and although most Americans would find this waiting nonsense to be overrated, in the end it is worth it. You can drown them in a deep concoction of sweet mustard, mayo, and ketchup. Oh, and lets not forget the Cajun pepper.
German food is renowned for its true use of fat and its thick and robust flavor. This comes from the fact that most German dishes consist of some sort of meat. Be it beef, lamb, pork, or chicken, Germans like to serve it up a variety of ways, along with a side of bread or a style of potatoes, such as the Pommes Frites.
In Germany they pride their wurst. Wurst is not the worst food, but is in fact the German word for basically what is a “hot dog.” Unlike America, where we have our Oscar Meyer Wieners, the Germans honor their nation with an assortment of wursts. They have whitewurst, sourwurst, knackwurst and the all time favorite bratwurst. Their wursts are made with all kinds of spices, and different recipe styles that they take years to perfect. Germany will always have the upper hand when it comes to sausage grilling.
America can wave Germany off when talking about our ever famous barbecue. Whether you’re referring to our Texas BBQ, Carolina Honey’s, or the Traditional Northern Style, you can always wave that (in the words of Dickey’s Barbecue) lip smackin’, finger lickin’, rib ticklin’, knee slappin’, foot stompin’, great smell in someone’s face. Every old fashioned American knows summer isn’t complete without those family barbecue cookouts with your dad and uncles continuously claiming to have THE BEST recipe. Germans just haven’t gotten the message on how to make our Heaven sent barbecue quite yet (enter sad face here).
Germany also has a most spectacular recipe that we love here in the U.S. called Apfel Strudel. Known here as apple pie. We have changed the original dessert pastry from its flaky crust that overflows with sweet gooey apple syrup, to a more controlled mess in a pie crust. Germany’s pastries in general have a sweeter, richer taste, much like the rest of their food. Both cultures can come to a consensus though that a good apple pie or strudel can tie up a meal like a ribbon ties together a gift. With just the right amount of sweet warming goodness, served in flaky crust or thick dough crust, side it up with a chilling scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, it can turn your worst trial recipe into a delicious meal even Emeril would have to say “BAM!”
What better place to combine amazing food and beer, than Oktoberfest. From its great folk dancing stages, to their provocative polka music, we have brought this great tradition over to join our melting pot of culture. Americans will never look as amazing in lederhosen as those German boys, but we celebrate this fun event nonetheless.
America is made up of many cultures, and Germany has its vast traditions. Our tastes vary but we hold pride in our different cuisines, and we all share the same basis of celebrating life and freedom with a good party, full of family, fun, and (of course) food. Prost. (Cheers)