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Famous German Food:
Maultaschen
Just What Are Maultaschen? Maultaschen are a famous german food and a specialty of the Baden-Württemberg area. The people living in the Württemberg part of this german area are also called Swabians.
Exactly in the Swabian region the Maultaschen have their origin and that's why they are also called Swabian pockets.
Similar to Meat Ravioli
Made of an outer piece of noodle dough and a ground meat and spinach filling, they're similar to a meat ravioli, and are traditionally served in broth with breadcrumbs and parsley. They can also be served with fried onions, and may be accompanied by either hot or cold potato salad.
hiding meat during lent in pockets
One legend says that this famous german food was invented by monks to conceal their meat eating habits. According to the story, the monks believed that they could successfully eat meat during Lent by hiding it in pasta.
Because of this, one nickname for this type of dumpling is "little ones who fool the Lord" or Herrgottsbscheißerle.
However, there's a good chance that this legend is apocryphal. Even so, it makes a good story!
noodle dough ingredients:
The noodles are made using eggs, water and flour. Generally, three eggs, half an eggshell of water per egg, a pinch of salt and between 350 and 400 grams of flour are used, mixing them into a firm dough, which is left to rest while the filling is prepared.
traditional Maultaschen filling
A traditional Maultaschen filling consists of about 400 grams of fresh blanched spinach, coarsely chopped, twenty grams or so of braised bacon with chopped onion, three or four soaked stale rolls, two to three eggs, and 150 grams of diced ham combined with 250 grams of ground pork or beef.
These are combined and seasoned with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste, then the filling is stuffed into the dough and the result is cooked in broth.
several Maultaschen variations
Maultaschen come in several variations beyond just the beef/pork and spinach type. There are also ground lamb and chicken dumplings, Maultaschen containing small pieces of sausages, and even salmon and vegetarian types.
every family has its own recipe
Homemade Maultaschen are the most common outside of Germany, and in the country, every family has its own personal recipe. However, there are also commercially prepared varieties available for those who aren't interested in the labor intensive process of preparing their own. The most famous Maultschen brand in Germany is "Bürgers Maultaschen".
Delicious Addition to any meal
These are a delicious addition to any meal, and can be made ahead and frozen for later, since it can take a long time to create them from scratch. Just take them out of the freezer and heat up in broth for a delicious traditional German meal that's hard to beat. You'll be really pleased by the results, and so will your family. Try all the different kinds out there. You'll be happy you did!
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