Oktoberfest

Germany's world-famous Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage of Bavarian Prince Ludwig to his beloved Therese. Every year several huge tents with picnic tables are set up in Munich's Theresienwiese, or Therese's Meadow, where local residents and visitors from around the world throw back enormous quantities of beer and sausages. Read more »

Blaukraut, also known as rotkraut or rotkohl, is a popular German side dish. It is most often served with pork, sausages, goose, duck or game and a side of mashed potatoes or potato dumplings. In England, the same dish is called Suffolk red cabbage. Read more »

Kartoffelknödel figure in the cuisine of most of the regions of Germany, and are a typical side dish with roasted and braised meats. This particular dumpling recipe, using both cooked and raw potatoes, comes from Bavaria. Potato dumplings are also popular in the Czech Republic, where they are known as bramborové knedlíky. Read more »

Two basic types of potato salad are made in Germany. In the north, the potatoes are held together with mayonnaise. In the southern regions of Swabia and Bavaria and in Austria, Kartoffelsalat is mixed with hot broth, oil and vinegar. This recipe is for the southern version, often called "German potato salad" in the U.S. For the mayonnaise version, see this recipe. Read more »

Roast pork is a popular Sunday meal in Central Europe. In Germany, Schweinebraten is most often served with braised cabbage or sauerkraut, dumplings and a fine pilsener. In the Czech Republic this dish is known as vepřová pečeně. In Poland, it is called pieczeń wieprzowa. Read more »