I am not an expert at all in German food or Oktoberfest, but I do love beer and cheese and pretzels. Obatzda is a traditional creamy cheese and onion spread that, I have read, is often served at beer halls, like it’s Austrian cousin Liptauer. I like to mold it onto a ball for serving, because we do love or cheese balls in the South and call it a cheese ball … [Read more...] about Beer Hall Cheese Ball (Obatzda)
Snacks And Starters
Farmers Market Cornbread
Summer is slowly (slowly) moving toward autumn, and the peak bounty of high summer farmers market produce is starting to taper off in anticipation of the fall harvest. There are still tomatoes, corn, peaches, peppers, but not for long. And though I love eating seasonal, I am close to having had my fill, ready for the winter squashes, apples and pears. I’ve put up all my summer … [Read more...] about Farmers Market Cornbread
Baked Feta with Stone Fruits
Baked feta is all over the internet. And with good reason, heat turns one simple piece of salty cheese into a deliciously creamy element in a host of applications. That baked feta pasta is about the only viral food trend that has appealed to me, and it is a good one. But as with many of these “new” internet hacks, or discoveries, or inventions, those of us of a … [Read more...] about Baked Feta with Stone Fruits
Spring Asparagus Torte
Spring is a marvelous time for entertaining, and I like to make the most of the seasonal produce like fresh asparagus. This elegant little torte is delicious and unusual, but highlights the lovely flavor of spring’s best asparagus. I add just a little lemon zest and shallot to bring out that freshness because I find the addition of herbs or spices unnecessarily overpowers the … [Read more...] about Spring Asparagus Torte
Strawberry Chocolate Crumble Bars
Is there a better combination than strawberries and chocolate? And when those strawberries are fresh, in season, local and at peak sweetness, I mean! I’ve made a simple strawberry crumble bar for years, a sugar cookie base with matching crumble. I’ve added herbs and spices to jazz it up, even a little liqueur. But recently, with a punnet of berries on hand a need for a sweet, … [Read more...] about Strawberry Chocolate Crumble Bars
