The Real Deal with East German Recipes from Maria's Kitchen
Eastern Cuisine Delights: Tastes Straight from the Wild East
By Heidi Driesner
Got the munchies and a taste for laughter? Look no further, because Maria Groß has got you covered! This vivacious chef from the "wild east" has penned a cookbook that combines mouthwatering dishes with good vibes - in the form of her signature wit and humor. If you're looking for ambition without pretention, you'll find it in every line of her book, "Naturally Maria!". Gotta admit, I'm a little biased - I'm an 'Ossi' like Maria, and her tales had me chuckling from page to page. And just wait until you see her hilariously unique label name: "Maria Ostzone"!
Ready to stock your kitchen with some East German cooking magic? Head on over to amazon.de and grab a copy of this delightful book!
Finding the Soul Food Goldmine
Maria's book doesn't just offer up a fabulous array of down-to-earth dishes - it also tells the story of how a philosophy student became Germany's youngest star chef in 2013. Since then, she's been dishing out heartfelt meals instead of seeking the approval of critics. With her partner Matthias Steube, she opened up her own restaurant, "Bachstelze", in 2015, creating a cozy oasis reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking's central playhouse. It's not surprising to find that Maria's dishes are anything but ordinary, filled with fresh, uncomplicated flavors and imaginative twists.
Take a peek at the table of contents, and you'll see recipes that run the gamut from apricots to onions, with clever names like "Refreshing lentil salad", "Thuringian-style Königsberger Klopse", "Quark dish with fresh strawberries", and "Pickled radishes". Feeling overwhelmed? No worries - there are over 60 recipes to choose from, and they all focus on everyday practicality with minimal effort.
Making the World a Little Better One Dish at a Time
Don't expect any fancy haute cuisine in Maria's book - instead, you'll find dishes that celebrate natural ingredients and resource management. Mint in sauerkraut? Why not? Or how about seasoning your mashed potatoes with freshly-squeezed lemon juice and served with smoked trout? Creative and delicious! Looking for something a little more adventurous? How about a beetroot risotto with basil, strawberries, goat cheese, and mixed nuts for roasted cauliflower?
Even a "classic" meatloaf gets a fresh makeover with oven vegetables and an "Oma-style" dip that's anything but ordinary. And did you know there's a "German" soy sauce? It's refined with hops grown in the Bavarian Holledau region, and it's easy to find online. Get ready to impress your friends with this unique ingredient at your next BBQ!
If you're curious about Maria's inspiring journey and the "secrets" behind her kitchen, you'll love her candid answers. Here's a glimpse:
- Nature doesn't need boosters - just let it shine on its own.
- Time brings quality - use fresh ingredients quickly, but allow cheese to ripen.
- Passion means celebrating tried-and-true cooking techniques, combining classic methods with modern twists, and seasoning with heart.
Fancy trying your hand at some of Maria's tasty recipes? I've included two below to get you started!
Baked Apricots
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 7 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 apricots per person
- 200g Brillat Savarin or Gorgonzola
- 1 splash elderflower syrup
- 1 untreated lemon, grated zest
- Salt
- Pepper, coarsely ground
- 10 large leaves fresh sage
- Butter for frying
- 200g green beans
- 2-3 tbsp water
- Fresh elderflowers for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C top/bottom heat. Halve and pit the apricots.
- Mix the cheese with elderflower syrup, lemon zest, salt, and pepper, then fill the lower halves of the apricots with the mixture and place the upper halves on top as lids.
- Fry the sage leaves in butter until crispy, then drain on paper towels.
- Trim the green beans, cut them into short pieces, and fry them in the same pan with a little water until cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake the filled apricots in the preheated oven for seven minutes.
- Arrange the beans on plates, lay the apricots on top, and garnish with the cooked sage and fresh elderflowers.
Oven Celery "Grandma-Style"
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 7 dates
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 large celery root
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 100ml Hopsoy (Bavarian soy sauce with hops)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Chili flakes
Instructions
- Finely chop the dates and garlic.
- Scrub the unpeeled celery root and cut it into chunks. In a pot, combine the celery root, water, salt, cayenne pepper, chopped garlic, and butter, and cook for at least 35 minutes. Drain the celery.
- In a saucepan, refine the soy sauce with maple syrup, chili, and chopped dates, and serve with the cooked celery.
Enjoy exploring the flavors of East Germany with Heidi Driesner!
Sources: ntv.de
- Food and Cooking
- East Germany
- Reviews
- Thuringia
- Organic Farming
Enrichment Data:
The "Naturally Maria!" cookbook offers a taste of Thuringia with its emphasis on local ingredients and traditional recipes, such as Königsberger Klopse. The cookbook also highlights organic farming practices by focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients and sustainable cooking techniques. There are no direct references to specific dishes or recipes that originated from East Germany in the cookbook. However, the themes of resourcefulness and simplicity in cooking are present, which could be seen as reminiscent of the culinary scene during the time of East Germany. The book might also serve as an exploration of the cultural and culinary heritage of East Germany, providing readers with a glimpse into the region's food history.
- By incorporating natural ingredients such as mint in sauerkraut and freshly-squeezed lemon juice in mashed potatoes, Maria's kitchen policy reflects a lifestyle that values resource management and minimalism.
- In addition to offering recipes for dishes like baked apricots and oven celery "grandma-style," Maria's cookbook provides insights into her philosophy, like championing simple, yet imaginative cooking techniques for a food-and-drink experience that is both tasty and heartfelt.
- Aspiring chefs pursuing vocational training might find inspiration in Maria's journey, as her story demonstrates the potential for success and the importance of following one's passion in the food industry.
