I'm spending a month in Germany -- what to cook in my very small kitchen?
We (my husband and I) spend a month in Germany about twice a year. We have a very small apartment, with a tiny kitchen, one fry pan, 2 pots, a colander, a couple of bowls and not much else (I've been slowly buying small kitchen equipment like good knives and stashing them at our sponsor's office between visits). I try to cook 3-4 nights a week. I need to add to my repertoire, but I don't want to buy quantities of spices, etc. that I won't use up. I currently make:
- a roast chicken (I have an oven and a roasting tray) and various things I can do with chicken leftovers
- pasta -- mostly just Barilla pasta sauce with maybe some mushrooms or other veges added
- egg dishes -- eggs in tomato sauce, for example
- schnitzel, because the pork is so good in Germany and my husband loves schnitzel
This is a somewhat small city, so it's hard to get "exotic" ingredients. In fact, I don't do much fish, as I can seldom find fish that looks appetizing (even though we aren't far from the north sea). I'm willing to bring a few spices or condiments (if they will go in a suitcase) from the US, but not my entire spice rack. We typically go in the fall and spring, so do best with things in season then. Can people suggest main dishes/one dish meals/side dishes that will allow me to put a bit of variety in our menus but also to be able to use up the ingredients they require -- I hate to leave behind a half jar of something that won't keep unrefrigerated.
9 Comments
https://food52.com/recipes/25992-spanakopita-grilled-cheese
Buy some Spatzle and Maultaschen - easy to find in supermarkets. Serve the Maultaschens in a broth or gently cook them in a pan. Spatzle is better served with just some butter and herbs, maybe some mushrooms.
Also, consider taking herbs and spices with you from home in small plastic bags. I always do that when I travel and know I'll be cooking in an unknown kitchen, which is often. It makes a world of difference, and the volume / weight are negligible. It's well worth the effort. Have fun and please, report back on how it turns out! ;o)
Voted the Best Reply!
-pork chops and sauteed apples
-bratwursts and sauerkraut
-pulled pork
-Red beans and rice
-braised chicken (like coq au vin)
Check out Rachel Khoo and Smitten Kitchen. They cook in the tiny kitchens and have developed their recipes in said kitchens.