SEINE zeit zum feiern!!!

For those of you not fluent in German, cause let's face it who is???   I mean my mom is 100% full blooded german and barely SPEAKS any... but you don't have to be German to cook like one or to throw a killer Oktoberfest party. That being SAID, SINCE I happen to be 1/2 German I have SOME fabulous authentic recipies and party ideas for you. SO instead of the SAME old halloween party... why not treat your friends and family to a bit of Bavaria with an authentic Oktoberfest celebration! It's time to party! (that's what that says up there!) :D

SO technically Oktoberfest is a 16–18 day beer festival held annually in Bavaria Germany, running from late SEPTEMBER to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810.

Here are SOME ideas...

• Obviously beer is a big part of the traditional festivities but for the non drinkers and or for a family friendly party go for good old root beer, or apple beer. They even SELL these in kegs which is kind of fun.
• Decorate with traditional colors... Bavarian colors or blue and white, or Germanys flag colors are red, yellow and black!
• Play German music in the background to SETthe mood... you can find music online.
• The chicken dance polka is a must! Make everyone at the party participate... it will make everyone laugh!
• Put out bowls of pretzles for guests to munch on before dinner.
• There is no such thing as a Brautwurst-less Oktoberfest party SO be SURE to include those in your menu. The Johnsonville ones you can buy at the regular grocery store are pretty darn close to the real thing, (my grandma will eat them, which says a lot)

Here are two of my entire families favorite recipies from my Oma (including our non German in-laws, and the little kids)
Kartoffelsalat- (Potato Salad)

• 5-6 pounds of small waxy red potatoes. Boiled whole and skins removed and chopped into bite size pieces Make sure the are not over cooked, but not raw either.
• 1 pound of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled. SAVE the grease...
• 1/2 a red onion, diced small
• 2 large dill pickles, diced small
• 5-6 hard boiled eggs, diced

While the potatoes are boiling make the sauce...

• 2 C good mayonaise
• 1 C water
• 1 T salt
• 1-11/2 T apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 t black pepper 
•  1/3 C white sugar
• 2 T of bacon grease... I know what you are thinking but do it... it is the SECRET that makes this the best.

Mix all SAUCE ingredients together in a large bowl. STIR in bacon, onion and pickle. Once the pototoes are cooked, drain and as soon as you can handle them, peel them. chop into bite size pieces and add to the sauce. You want the potatoes to go into the sauce warm cause they will SUCK the SAUCE in as they cool. Gently fold in eggs. This is best when made a day in advance. just before SERVING taste it and if it needs more tang... add SOME pickle juice... (the other SECRET). SERVE at room temperature. SERVES about 8.

Rotkohl (braised Red cabbage)

• 1 head red cabbage sliced very thin
• 4-5 apples (i use both red and green) grated
• 1/4 red onion diced or grated
• 1 T salt
• 1 C sugar
• 1/4-1/2 C bacon grease... once again just do it... its not as bad for you as it may seem :D
• 11/2 T apple cider vinegar

Put bacon grease in a large pot and warm. Add cabbage and coat in grease by tossing. Add the rest of the ingredients and enough water to  cover everything. bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 2 hours or until cabbage is very tender. Add more salt, vinegar or sugar if needed. Once again this tastes better if made the day before. heat and serve warm.

• Though not traditional, root beer floats would make a cute and easy dessert. You could SERVE them in those big glass mugs with the handle. Or for the purist who wants to STICK with authentic... apple STREUSEL or plum cake will do!
• We play a game my Oma played a lot as a child in Germany (whether it is technically German or not I'm not sure) where you get a bunch of small prizes or treats, a large pot, a blindfold and a wooden spoon. One prize at a time gets placed on the ground somewhere with the pot upside down over it. Each person gets a turn being blindfolded and spun in circles then crawls around on their hands and knees banging the ground with the wooden spoon trying to find the pot. We yell heiß (pronounced hi ss) or hot, and Kälte or cold to guide them. When they hit the pot with the spoon, they get the prize that is under the pot. You could also do re lay races or other games and just put some sort of German spin on them.

I hope you consider an Oktoberfest party for your next get together... We always have a STUPENDOUS time! (even without the beer!!!)