Linsen & Spaetzle (lentils & spaetzle)

What a great day for one of my favorite Swabian dishes Linsen und Spaetzle. Temperatures are freezing...the news called it the "arctic blast". For PDX it is, but are 35 F (during the day) really arctic temps?! I guess that discussion should be left for another blog :)

OK - so cold temperatures...what a great day for Linsen und Spaetzle. I bought the Wieners today from Otto's. They are a little different to the ones from Edelweiss, and the ones I know from home. They are actually smoked, shorter in size, and turned out really, really good in the lentils. A little different twist. In the future I think that I will use the Wieners from Edelweiss again for Linsen.

As for the Spaetzle, I could not find the press so I ended up scratching some from a board by hand into the boiling water. That, took a little longer than anticipated :)

Last word on this topic...the family also loved this meal, and its great leftovers...

German food items in Portland

When we left Chicago for PDX in 2002 I thought "this is the end of buying German food items when I need them...".Was I wrong! Not only wrong is it possible to get most of the different ingredients in Portland - it seems like so many more than I was able to get in Chicago - but also the taste, quality, etc. is outstanding.

Edelweiss Delicatessen in SE PDX has fantastic Wurst, Wieners, etc. You can actually get "Fleischkaese" aka "Leberkaese" frozen to bake at home. And it tastes GREAT! Check it out on http://www.edelweissdeli.com/. At Edelweiss you can also get Rouladen. They cut them to order...It is just so impressive. Besides that Edelweiss also carries a HUGE selection on beer, wine, pickeld Herring (in tomatoe sauce, in Dijon, you name it they have it). Chocolate, spices...pretty much anything you need.

Every so often I also crave Sauerkraut. I just love the Hengstenberg Mildessa brand and not only because it is from Swabia. And Swabia is home for me in Germany...I just think it tastes the best. Its nice and mild, just perfect. New Seasons and Edelweiss carry this brand http://www.newseasonsmarket.com/. - With Sauerkraut I like to make "Kassler Rippchen" aka smoked (I think?) pork chops. These I get at Gartner's meatmarket. I think they have the best in town. They are located in NE PDX check them out on the web at http://www.gartnersmeats.com/.

For veal I go to Pastaworks in SE PDX. There is also a location in NW. http://www.pastaworks.com/. Fantastic meat, cheese, wine, etc. collection.

Happy cooking :)

Concert on January 19, 2008

What a GREAT success! Over 150 people were at this fantastic concert. It was amazing. Did anyone go to the concert? What did you think?

The speech by Karsten Tietz the German Consul for Cultural Affairs from the Consulate in San Francisco was very encouragin. It is great to hear that Oregon is the "focus" state of the Consulate for 2008. All of us in Portland and Oregon know how much we have to offer. It such a vibrant German community here. In addition Herr Tietz announced that the Consulate is planning to have the official celebration on October 3rd for 2008 in Portland. Isn't that fantastic news?

So glad to be in Portland...

Taco's for dinner...YES food that can be eaten by hand. Simple easy, and yes messy. I am so glad to live here. Sometimes all it takes for me to be happy is an easy fix dinner. So what does this have to do with Germany? Good question...at home (now I am referring to my home in Germany) it would be inconceivable to eat dinner with your hands. I think my Mom (sorry Mom) would throw her hands up in the air and say "only in America" is it possible to consider this a "decent meal". My best friend in Germany would probably say the same thing...OK - I have left Germany almost 15 years ago AND I am from a fairly small town of 36,000 people. So I am probably totally out of touch...but hey I was saying tonight "I am so glad to live in the States" I love easy, kid friendly, fun dinners. At least once in a while I am not uptight :)

Where are the German speakers in PDX?

Sunday we went to Ikea and we met another German couple. I think that Germans can be found everywhere in this big/small city. It is so amazing. - But where can you meet them. I talked about it before, that I meet Germans when others overhear me talking with my kids. So you do not have kids but really would like to meet other German speakers. One good point of reference is the Gemran American Society. I put a link to it, as well as a link to the current newsletter on the blog. Go, check it out. It is really great.

There is also a German Stammtisch, the Spielgruppe, movie nights at the Society, and so much more.

For information about the Spielgruppe e-mail pdxspiel@yahoo.com.

And please check back frequently on this blog. I am not blogging as often as I would like, but am updating links, events all the time.

How many Germans are in Portland?

OK - I do not know how many Germans, and German speaking call Portland home. One thing I know is that it appears as if I am meeting people who at the very least understand German every day.

Last week shopping at New Seasons we met one native speaker, and two others who spoke German fluently. It is easy to know that I am a German speaker as I only speak German with my two little ones...Then the same week I was out shopping with a German friend and we met a native Austrian who has lived in PDX for five years.

When living in Chicago I do not recall on meeting as many native German speakers. The difference probably is because it was not evident for others to "identify" me as German as both my children are native Oregonians :)