Along with the influence of the German family recipes, another part of the foundation that made up the food I was raised on came from regional influences in the areas in which my family settled in the US.  Most of my family settled in the Ohio area, in particular Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.  As [...]

If you have ever been to the Cincinnati, you must have encountered Skyline Chili.  It’s a staple there.  Consequently, I grew up eating a lot of this stuff too!  It’s a really delicious chili recipe which can just be served in the typical way but if you want to be really authentic, you must serve [...]

Another Southern US specialty! Ingredients: 4 cube steaks (you know the ones? They look “textured”, have kind of a waffle pattern on them.  I think they are round steaks that have been pounded with one of those meat tenderizing mallets.  Am I right?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Yeah I know I could look it up on the [...]

Once again this is not really my family recipe because I don’t really follow one.  This was another recipe learned at my mother and grandmothers’ sides.  However, this recipe is the same as mine…they have simply listed actual quantities (shocking!).  Like the German potato salad, this isn’t exactly diet fare or terribly heart healthy so [...]

As I was typing up the recipe for Sauerbraten, I added a comment that I particularly enjoy it with some egg noodles or German spaetzle.  I realized then that I must share with you my favourite recipe for Spaetzle.  It is quite easy but so yummy!  Thanks to my university roommate Susanne (nee Reitter) for [...]

I have an old Gagen family recipe for authentic German potato salad which has been passed down through my family and originated and was brought over from Germany to the United States by my great-great-grandmother.  I keep this recipe close to my heart, a carefully guarded family secret so I will not be sharing it [...]

Once again in honour of the American celebration of Independence, the Fourth of July, Bridgette opened up the tearoom for a day of patriotic and sentimental/ancestral delights.   As her personal secretary, I have been away on vacation and so a bit derelict in my duties and am just now getting around to posting these recipes.  [...]

This recipe makes a dozen tarts. I have seen a lot of fairly elaborate recipes for making these super rich ooey gooey tarts (note: some people make them into full pies but I find this an especially messy way of serving this recipe.  Individual tarts are much more practical.  If you look for them, you [...]

Note: when doing my research, I found out that traditional Nanaimo bar recipes call for custard powder which is not always readily available in the United States.  Therefore, I chose this recipe because it seemed to be one that would be more universally accessible throughout the world. Ingredients: Butter broken down into 1/2 cup, 1/4 [...]

Another French Canadian specialty!  This is served as a spread for toast at breakfast.  Personally, I think it has an acquired taste and well, I never saw the need to acquire it, but I post this recipe here mainly for my sister who adores the stuff.  You can actually now buy this stuff in grocery [...]