honey mustard dipping sauce (with pretzels)

This was delish! I served the sauce with soft pretzels. I can't wait to make it again. Super simple. From recipezaar.

Honey Mustard Sauce
Makes 1 1/4 cups

Ingredients
5 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

Instructions
Mix all three ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

beer knockwurst with onions

Freddy thought that this was amazing. He's actually making it again for dinner tonight. Serve with beer. Tadaa!

Beer Knockwurst with Onions
Serves two

Ingredients
2 knockwurst
1/2 bottle German beer
1/2-1 onion, sliced

Instructions
Simmer knockwurst and onions in beer until the onions are tender and the knockwurst is heated through.

rouladen

I knew that Freddy's birth-toberfest feast had to include either sauerbraten or rouladen (beef rolls). I chose rouladen because Molly had a recipe. Unfortunately, I don't have an electric skillet like Molly and I was afraid of the meat drying out on the stove top. So I combined her recipe with parts of the one in a book that my mom has: The Complete Round The World Meat Cookbook.

They don't look super pretty in the pictures, but they tasted phenomenal! When buying beef, you may want to call the meat counter a day early so they can freeze the meat - it makes it easier to slice (thanks for the tip, Molly). I asked that the meat be cut 1/4" thick or less. And then I pounded it even thinner.

Rouladen
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 lb top sirloin, sliced thin
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 lb bacon, cut into small pieces
Dijon or German grainy mustard
1 spear zesty dill pickle, diced
4 tablespoons butter
1-2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup beef stock
1 tomato
1 quartered onion
Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

Trim the fat from the meat. Season with pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet; saute the onions and the bacon until the bacon is half cooked. Spread mustard on each piece of meat and spoon over onion/bacon mixture. Top with diced pickles. Roll meat and tie with thread or fasten with skewers. Roll in the flour.

Melt remaining butter in the skillet and brown the rolls on all sides. Add beef stock, tomato, and quartered onion and cook over low heat 1 1/2 hours, or until tender.

german-style potato salad

This was by far one of my favorites of the night. I couldn't wait to come home and warm some more up! Glad I thought ahead and made extra. From Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

German-Style Potato Salad
Serves four

Ingredients
4 medium potatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds)
4 slices bacon
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions

In a covered saucepan cook potatoes in boiling unsalted water for 20 to 25 minutes or till just tender; drain well. Cool slightly. Peel and slice potatoes. Set aside while preparing dressing.

For dressing, in a large skillet cook 4 slices bacon till crisp. Drain and crumble, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Set the bacon aside. Add chopped onion to reserved drippings. Cook till tender. Stir in flour, sugar, salt, celery seed, and pepper. Stir in water and vinegar. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Stir in potatoes and 3/4 of the bacon. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more or till heated through, stirring gently. Season to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with remaining bacon (or hard-cooked egg, parsley, if desired).

poached leeks

These were good too. I love leeks. They have such a great mild onion flavor. But, I need to make sure to cook them a little longer next time! From Russian, German & Polish Food & Cooking.

Poached Leeks
Serves two

Ingredients
2 leeks, trimmed and sliced in half lengthwise
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
Parboil or blanch the leeks in a pan of boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse quickly under cold water. Gently pat dry with paper towels.

Melt the butter in a frying pan and gently cook the leeks for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer.

Cook uncovered for 5 minutes or until just tender. Drain well. Sprinkle with parsley and black pepper if desired, and serve with grated cheese on top (I skipped the cheese).

carrots in beer

We needed some type of "veggie" and I think that carrots go great with slow-cooked beef. Add some beer, and you've got an Oktoberfest side! These were pretty good. I would make them again if I'm itching for something to do with carrots. I found the recipe randomly online. However, the original had dill added.

Carrots in Beer
Serves two

Ingredients
1/2 pound carrots, peeled and cut into ribbons with a peeler
1/2 tablespoon butter (no substitute)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 bottle beer

Instructions

Saute carrots in the butter until barely brown. Add beer; cook slowly for 15 minutes. Carrots should be crisp/tender.

Add salt and sugar and continue to cook for another 3 minutes. Serve hot.

oma's black forest cake

Every birthday needs a birthday cake! It was the perfect time to pull out my Oma's black forest cake recipe. I haven't had this since I was a little girl (my Oma passed away in '95). This was by far my favorite part of the meal. But, I'm a bit biased, I love dessert - especially black forest cake! Though I feel like I should keep this one secret... I'll share with you!

Oma's Black Forest Cake

Ingredients
1 3/4 cup flour
1 3/4 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
7 eggs, separated
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup cocoa powder
approximately 1 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 pints whipping cream (I just used the medium-size Cool Whip tub, defrosted)
2 cans cherries (optional)

Instructions

Boil water, add cocoa, stir and cool. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar and set aside.

Mix oil and egg yokes, add to cooled cocoa mix, and then add to sifted flour mix. Beat egg whites until stiff, fold in mixture. Grease and flour spring form pan.

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 1 hour. Cool and slice cake in 3 slices. Layer with Cool Whip and cherries. Frost with Cool Whip.