Hallo! Schnitzel – It’s Oktoberfest time!

A few years ago, I tried to learn German – and my effort should not be doubted – like, I really tried.  I was so dedicated to learning a new language, went super hardcore, and put in all those necessary hours on Duolingo. Persistence was the key.  I feel confident to say that fast-forwarding to today, I just can’t wait to find myself enjoying the sunniest, bluest, most perfect day touring Berlin and drinking beer. Because… after all that getting’ my learn on, all I could ever manage to babble was, ‘I am vacation, very nice weather, yes?’.  I know, totally practical.

… Side note – My difficulties in learning German haven’t ceased. It took me a small eternity to find all the special characters not on my American layout keyboard.  The real kicker – spell check actually knew what I wanted the whole time.

One thing I do understand – Oktoberfest.  We frequent the version in Vail every year. Speaking from personal experience, Germany is fun during the other months of the year. However, there is an obvious reason the celebration is mimicked all over the globe.  The beer, the lederhosen, the mustard and pretzels – that is SO FUN and totally has a spot on my ever-growing bucket list.  But for now, the Thomas Four are celebrating with a fun German dinner and some ideas for your own hosted Oktoberfest feast!  (That is when you decide some food would sit well with the beer)

We’re going the distance, we even pulled out the steins for dinner tonight. Some of us get apple juice instead though.  Also, be glad you’re reading this blog and not listening to my super, stellar German enunciation of these super, stellar dish names – Schnitzel and Kaesespaetzle. I didn’t know there was a spaetzle tool… but I have one now.

The family review – there is nothing more my boys like than a whopping pile of meat, especially the big one. Also, fried food – instant winner, they almost never get it. I warned you all this wouldn’t always be the healthiest food. Jake is the ultimate mac’n’cheese lover – and these German, cheesy noodles did not disappoint. I had always bought the store version before this, (remember, no spaetzle maker until last week) and I don’t think I can go back. They were pretty easy and quick to make, and tasted pretty fresh. Yes, I’m tooting my horn on a job well done. Schnitzel and spaetzle a match made in German heaven.

I’m not going to lie, this meal was a labor of love. It took a lot of dishes and a lot of time! But, this meal is also a great one to have the kids helping out. Mine got a good chance to take out leftover energy pounding down the pork chops with the meat tenderizer.

Dredging and breading them was another simple task for them to conquer, but the cleanup crew may have had quite the task in spilled crumbs on the floor. Giving them jobs certainly saved me a bunch of time making this meal. I was able to work on the gravy portion and frying while they did the bulk of the prep.

Did I mention that I was really excited by my new spatzle maker purchase? If you don’t have one, you could use a colander to push the dough through to make the noodles. Making the dough was another simple task for the kids to work on, while I got the pleasure of cutting onions.

Germany: Schnitzel

Ingredients:

•  boneless pork chops
• 2 cups breadcrumbs (varies depending on how heavy you dredge)
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 3 eggs
• Oil for frying

Directions:

1. Prepare your dredging and frying stations. In a large bowl scramble the eggs, and on a separate plate pour out the breadcrumbs and mix in the garlic powder and paprika. Start warming frying oil in a pan (about a half inch deep)
2. Lightly dust the pork chops with salt and pepper. With a meat mallet, flatten them until they are about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Dip the pork in the eggs and then coat with the breadcrumbs. Fry about 2-3 minutes per side or until they are thoroughly cooked through.

Schnitzel is the fried pork chops in its purest state… we went a little extra (because that seems to be what we always do when it comes to dinner) and made it Jagerschnitzel. (Schnitzel with a brown mushroom gravy on top!)

PROST!

File: Germany, Schnitzel