Greetings from Munich Fasching
Greetings from Munich Fasching
a little glimps into my world
Good morning everyone,
I hope you're doing well, I know I am a day late but better late than never! As the weather warms up, I wanted to share some of the things I have been up to this week.
It is so beautiful here the last few days, with blue skies and lots of sunshine, a little hard to stay focused and stay behind my computer.
Yesterday was Faschings Dienstag, the traditional carnival celebration in Germany called Fasching.
Fasching, also known as Karneval or Fastnacht, is celebrated in different regions throughout Germany, starting on November 11th at 11:11 AM and culminating in a week-long celebration that ends on Ash Wednesday. During this time, people dress up in costumes, wear masks, and attend parades, parties, and balls.
It's like a carnival in New Orleans with more public drinking and candy-throwing floats - an unforgettable experience.
Fasching is especially popular in the Rhineland, where you can witness elaborate floats, colorful costumes, and satirical themes that poke fun at politicians and social issues. Even in Bavaria, where the celebration is a little different, (North Germans would call it tame) the festivities are still full of fun and laughter.
One of the highlights of Fasching is the delicious jelly-filled doughnut called "Krapfen." If you've attended my doughnut classes before, you'll know that this pastry can be filled with a variety of sweet fillings. My personal favorite is the vanilla cream-filled Krapfen, but apricot jelly is the classic choice.
I have fond memories of attending Fasching parades with friends and family, and it was made very special this year since I was able to run into old friends I hadn't seen in over 40 years!
Before returning to Munich, I also had the pleasure of exploring Hameln and Hannover, and spending lots of time with my cousins! I was trying local foods and enjoying the beauty of the lush forests and old town of Hameln. My childhood favorite is the delicious Butterkuchen, which I've included the recipe for below.
This house below 👇 is a house my family used to own, I never lived there, but my brother did before I was born. It is so pretty!
We strolled the streets of the old town of Hameln and it really felt like we were in a fairy tale!
I hope you try the Butterkuchen recipe! Please let me know if you like it!
Until next week!
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Best
Chef Pascal
Butterkuchen recipe
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) of active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk, lukewarm
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
Topping:
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup sugar
2-3 Tbsp butter
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until well combined.
In a separate bowl, mix together the lukewarm milk, melted butter, and beaten eggs.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a cookie sheet.
Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to the greased cookie sheet. Use your fingers to press the dough evenly into the bottom of the cookie sheet.
Sprinkle the sliced almonds and sugar over the top of the dough. I also like to sprinkle the cake with little flakes of cold unsalted butter.
Bake the Butterkuchen for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cake and then dust it with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!