HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Get out your lederhosen and beer steins! Oktoberfest is upon us. Millions of people travel to Munich each year to attend the official beerfest. But for those of us who won't be hopping a plane to join the merriment in Germany, we have some ideas for your Oktoberfest party at home.
This red cabbage recipe is my version of Rotkohl, a classic German dish. The addition of bacon gives it an incredible smoky flavor and cuts the sweetness of the sugar and apples.
Ingredients
- 5 strips bacon, coarsely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 Cup sugar
- 1 medium head red cabbage, shredded (outer leaves removed)
- 1 tart apple, peeled, cored, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar*
- pinch salt and pepper
Steps
- Add bacon to a large skillet over medium heat and cook until crisp. Remove bacon and leave bacon fat drippings in pan.
- Add onion and sugar into the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar just begins to caramelize, about 1 - 2 minutes.
- Add red cabbage, apples, and vinegar into skillet and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender and a deep ruby color, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- *If cabbage sticks to the bottom of the pan, you can add more liquid. Add liquid a couple of tablespoons at a time; use apple cider for sweeter cabbage, vinegar for a more tart cabbage, or water. Keep in mind that cabbage should be tender with a little crispness, but not soggy.
- Remove from heat. Stir in bacon, and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer cabbage to a dish and serve hot.Makes 4 to 6 servings
Beer and wurst are standard fare at an Oktoberfest. Amp up the menu to include homemade Red Cabbage with Apple and Bacon and German Potato Salad.
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- Grilled Wurst on Rolls - Americans may know this bbq favorite as grilled sausages on rolls. Throw some bratwurst and knackwurst on the grill and serve them in hot dog buns. Top with sauerkraut or grilled onions for an authentic Oktoberfest meal.
- Red Cabbage with Apple and Bacon and Sauerkraut - This recipe is a sweet and savory red cabbage sauerkraut.
- German Potato Salad - Try this tangy German Potato Salad recipe for a great accompaniment to the flavors on an Oktoberfest menu.
- Pretzel Bar - Satisfy those looking for a snack by offering a soft pretzel bar with an assortment of dipping mustards from a grainy brown to a honey mustard.
- Imported Beer Tasting- Host a Beer-Tasting featuring a selection of Oktoberfest beer or sample imported and domestic favorites.
The atmosphere of an Oktoberfest is casual and rowdy. However, at all Oktoberfest celebrations I've attended that have been hosted by civic or cultural organization, a sense of formality is inherent because of the traditional music and fun costumes.
- Suggest that the men wear lederhosen, and the woman dress in dirndls, as Bavarian beer gals, or don a comical fraulein scarf with blonde braids.
- Hand out costume Tyrolean hats for the guests to wear!
- Get personalized glass beer steins or go with plastic light-up mugs.
- Decorate with Oktoberfest beer stein cut-outs and banners.
- Bring in the classic Oktoberfest blue and white diamond design based on the Bavarian flag with these disposable napkins, plates, and coasters.
Of course, you'll be contacting your local Oompah band to check their availability for your Oktoberfest. (At the very least, invite a tuba player!) Or you could simply download thematic music to play at the party. Don't forget a rousing version of the Chicken Dance!
Popular Oktoberfest Songs
- Chicken Dance - The chicken dance, as demonstrated in the video, is the most requested song and dance at Oktoberfests!
- Bavarian Drinking Song
- German Marsch
- German Waltz
- Muss I' Denn Zum Städtele Hinaus
- Bier Her Bier Oder Ich Fall Um
- Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival that starts in late September and continues into October.
- The celebration originated in Munich, Germany on October 12, 1810 to commemorate the marriage of the Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I, and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (try saying that three times after a stein of beer!).
- Oktoberfests are also popular in the United States of America. Cultural organizations will host the event under a large tent or in a beer hall and charge admission for entry.
- During the festival, people enjoy and dance to traditional Oktoberfest music from a live Oompah band, eat heaping portions of wurst and sauerkraut, and drink huge steins of beer!
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