Oma’s Recipes from Bavaria

➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson

Tradition is a very, very important part of Bavaria, the largest state of Germany. Over 1,500 years of history contribute to the makeup of this region and its cuisine.

As one of the oldest states in Europe, the beginning of the Duchy of Bavaria started in the 6th century and progressed to the status of the Free State of Bavaria in 1946.

What was once a poor agricultural based province, Bavaria has become a prosperous industrial hub (with companies such as BMW, Audi, Adidas, Puma . . .)

Bavaria borders Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic as well as the neighbouring German states of Baden-Württemberg, Hessen, Thuringia, and Saxony. There are so many beautiful landscapes in Bavaria, from the Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain) to the river valleys of the Main and Danube.

Almost a quarter of all tourism takes place in Bavaria. One can go hiking and climbing in the Alps and then go sailing and windsurfing in the many lakes, such as the Chiemsee (Bavarian Sea), Tegernsee, Königssee, Ammer, und Starnberg.

Then there's always the Romantic Road to follow that goes from the Lower Franconia region to the Allgäu with the baroque city of Würzburg and the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles along the way.

All along the way are opportunities to try the different cuisines of the "four tribes" of Bavaria. (These "four tribes" are the "old Bavarians", the Franks, the Swabians, and the Sudeten Germans which immigrated here after 1945.)

From the State Opera in Munich to the 14,000 theatre performances throughout Bavaria to the Passion Play in Oberammergau to the Oktoberfest celebration that attracts over six million tourists, this region of Germany truly is a cultural feast.

A culinary feast as well, even to the establishing of a symbolic "sausage wall" that divides the Free State of Bavaria from the land to the north --- the Prussians!

The "Weisswurst" is Bavarian, and the only way to eat it is with pretzels or bread rolls and mustard. Anything else would be considered taboo!

Another Bavarian treat is "Leberkäs". Translated, this means "liver cheese." However, there is neither liver or cheese in this meatloaf made from finely ground beef and pork, bacon, spices, and crushed ice.

Lydia's Facts...

Learn a little bit about this wonderful region with me! I've done my research and would love to share it with you.

If you've done your homework on me then you know how much I LOVE to travel! It will always be on my bucket list to go to Germany with my dear Oma and visit these places I've researched about. To venture through its landscapes, to be mesmerized by the castles and architecture, and of course... to try all of the yummy regional foods. 

Wanting to brush up on your homework? Check out my page here, to learn more about me, Lydia, and how Germany and its outstanding regions, and foods have made their way into my life!

Now let's check out some of this region's most popular places and a little bit of history behind them...

The Romantic Road of Rothenburg

After a long day of exploring the lovely countryside of Bavaria's beautiful mountains and landscapes, be sure to take a drive down the romantic road, and enjoy leisurely strolls through Germany's best-preserved medieval towns!

This road spans 350 km and will pass you by lots of precious cafes, enchanting castles, picture-perfect walled towns, and every little (or enormous) wonder Bavaria has to offer. 

The Romantic Road goes from Wurzburg all the way to Fussen. On your journey, you'll stumble upon the great Marienberg Fortress, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber (shown above), and Schwangau. There is one place that you just might want to end your trip on in Fussen... but you'll have to keep scrolling for that one... it's sure to make all your dreams come true once you reach it!

The small town of Schwangau is another great way to finish off the romantic road journey, with tons of shops and restaurants, and lovely private hiking trails where you can find towering waterfalls. But if hiking isn't quite your thing, a little shopping day never hurts. ;)

Neuschwanstein Castle

Now, this is where all those dreams will come true. The tall and true fairytale castle of Bavaria, Neuschwanstein Castle. Nothing is haunting about this castle, only beauty...literally, this castle was the inspiration for sleeping beauty! Attention all Disney lovers, this is THE place for you! 

With grand rooms and hallways painted and decorated in a neo-Romanesque style, you'll feel like royalty here. Built by King Ludwig II as a vacation spot, he built it with the money out of his own pocket and wanted to give it the best location possible. 

It's safe to say he succeeded, by placing this enchanting castle 2,620 ft high, above a forest, lake, and overlooking the beautiful Bavarian Alps. 

Be sure to take lots of pictures in this ravishing castle, especially of the view from the top floor windows, it's no surprise this place is so popular with tourists. It truly is the best way to see the panoramic view of the most scenic and bewitching region in Germany. 

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Bavaria's Favorite Foods

• Weisswurst, Leberkäs, Franconian sausages, etc.
• Beer (think Oktoberfest) and recipes such as Biersuppe (beer soup), Bierbrot (beer bread), and Apfelkücherl in Bierteig (apple fritters in beer batter)
•  Brotzeit ("bread time"), snack time with openfaced sandwiches, sausage, Obatzer cheese spread (mix of Camebert, cottage cheese, beer, and spices), etc.
• Pretzels, Semmel (bread rolls), dumplings (varieties such as bread, pretzel, potato, liver, spleen, ham, and crackling)
  
• Chicken, beef, veal and pork, pork, and more pork, venison, wild boar
• Offal, such as trifle, pickled lungs, cooked udder, calves heart
• Cheese, such as Emmental
  
• Cabbage, turnips, potatoes, onions, garlic, white radishes, mushrooms
• Kaiserschmarren, Apfelstrudel, Dobostorte (layered chocolate torte), Christmas Lebkuchen

My Favorite Recipe from Bavaria

Bavarian Bread Dumplings

These traditional German bread dumplings, aka Semmelknödel, are great when you've got delicious gravy to soak up. Traditional for the Bavarian region that is!

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More Recipes from Bavaria ...

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