European Culinary Delights!

Last week I was on a much needed vacation to Germany and Austria! I had a fantastic time at Oktoberfest and then one of my closest friends and I went to Salzburg, Austria, then back to Germany to go to Berschegarten and Fussen. We ate, drank, and of course did some touristy things (Sound of Music tour was especially great!)

At Oktoberfest they love their food on a stick - corn with garlic butter, chocolate covered apples, and chocolate covered strawberries were some of our favorites! Radishes are huge over there! (WHO KNEW?!?!?)





Here are some of our culinary delights!


The authentic Salzburg Sacher Torte


Another view point


Apple Strudel from Hotel Sacher


Apple Strudel with a hot vanilla sauce (kind of like a thin vanilla custard)


Cheese Strudel with hot vanilla sauce - a break during our Sound of Music Tour


White Chocolate Fondue - not what we ordered but delicious!


So many types of pretzels!!! These were donut like pretzels!

Chunks of Love

Last week I was craving something simple so I made Chocolate Chunk Cookies. I had never used chocolate chunks before but they were delicious and these cookies came out so soft and perfect!!! I have the empty bowl to prove it!

I used my normal cookie recipe but instead used Chocolate Chunks!

Berrydelicious Antiques!

This recipe was a hit!!! My mom is an antique dealer and was in town last weekend doing a show. This show is particularly tough because it is 2 days of set up and 4 LONG days of the show itself. So I figured this would be a perfect time to try out a new recipe, captivated audience, and let me tell you this was a HUGE HUGE hit with the other dealers!! I really couldn't have hoped for anything better, it tasted like little mini pies!! I even added too much cornstarch (didn't read the recipe and put it in the crust at first) and it still came out perfect! My mom is not a sweets person and thought this was divine!

The originally recipe called just for raspberries but I added blackberries and used a little bit more then 4 cups of berries and a little bit more sugar in the crust. Have fun with this one!


Finished Project! YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!


Berry Layer!!


Right Before the Oven!


Right out of the oven!!!


BERRY CRUMB BARS

(Source: Allrecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup shortening ( I used butter)
1 egg
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground cinnamon
4 cups raspberries
1/2 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons cornstarch


DIRECTIONS

- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease one 13x9 inch pan.
- Combine 1 cup of the sugar, the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, shortening, and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan.
- Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch and berries.
- Place mixture over dough in pan. Crumble the remaining dough over the tops of the berries.
- Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown.