Oktoberfest!

Ah...
Fall...
and Fall (Herbst) in Germany makes us think of Oktoberfest. You can just imagine the crisp, Fall air carrying whiffs of warm gingerbread and sausages, and swarms of smiling, laughing people, with rosy cheeks and beer breath.

This Sunday (October 4th) marks the end of Germany's Oktoberfest in Munich, where over 6 million people will have consumed 1.5 million gallons of beer, 200,000 pairs of pork sausage, and 480,000 spit-roasted chickens (Hendl). Gulp!

That's not even taking into account all the potato dumplings, red cabbage and apples (Blaukohl), steamed white veal sausages with sweet mustard, sauerkraut, the ever-so-yummy warm pretzels or bread rolls (Brötchen), potato salads (hot or cold), potato soups and cheese plates that will be consumed. And don't forget desserts: steamed honey-dumplings served with vanilla sauce (Dampfnudel), apple strudel, gingerbread and sugared pancakes with raisins (Kaiserschmarrn).

You won't find many places in Texas that can offer what the 200-year old festival offers in Munich, but Fredericksburg is closer than Munich and their annual Oktoberfest STARTS this Friday (October 2nd) and runs through Sunday. (Tickets for adults are $6 and kids are only $1!). http://www.oktoberfestinfbg.com/

And next year, you won't have to travel far at all for a little taste of Oktoberfest...we'll just see you at the deli.

Schmeckt gut (and easy to make!)

Want a quick end-of-summer desert recipe? This desert is good all-year round but the sour cherries always remind me of summer.

Just mix up some Dr. Oetker's Organic Vanilla Pudding and spoon some Bende's sour cherries (with Rum!) on top and yum! You'll be saying 'Schmeckt gut' too!

What do YOU crave?

We want to know about your favorite German food(s). Was it something you grew up eating? Maybe it was something Oma used to make for special occasions or during the holidays? Or was it something you ate on a trip to Germany and haven't been able to find again?

Tell us! We'd love to hear what German foods really get your tummy rumbling...

"Night in Old Fredericksburg" festival - July 17th & 18th

If you are looking for a fun weekend get-away with your family or significant other, plan a trip to Fredericksburg for their annual 'Night in Old Fredericksburg' festival.

The festival runs Friday, July 17th from 6pm to midnight and Saturday, July 18th from 11:30am to midnight. It is super affordable and loads of fun. There will be the traditional German favorites of wursts and sauerkraut, as well as Texas favorites like fajitas and tacos. Lots of beer on tap and activities for adults and kids.

Check out their link at http://www.tex-fest.com/niof/index.htm

And if you attend - let us know what you think!

Frühstück

Frühstück in German means breakfast. A traditional Frühstück includes dense breads (even stale bread isn't unheard of), a variety of cheeses (from soft, spreadable cheese to hard, stinky cheese), meats (spreadable wursts to hard, cured sausages), pickles and preserves. It is often put together quickly with what is left in the fridge but it can also be 'dressed-up' with fine delicacies for a special occasion. Served with a fresh cup of coffee or tea and there really isn't anything more complete. This traditional meal is eaten at any time of the day - not just breakfast - just like we Americans like to sometimes eat pancakes, eggs and bacon for dinner.

My favorite part of this traditional 'dish' is the variety. We normally set our table with at least two options of everything! That way we can pair different cheeses, meats and breads together for different sensory experiences. And at WickeDeli - that is what you can also look forward to. We are all about options...

Note: The picture I have posted here just doesn't do it justice. So...guess that means you'll just have to come into the deli once we are open and try the 'real deal'.