Oktoberfest Recipes and Party Ideas

Do you dream of Oktoberfest recipes? Wish you could recreate the fun? Oktoberfest, with its huge beer tents (holding up to 10,000 people), sauerkraut and sausages, and traditional rousing "om-pa-pa" bands, is a party that is easily celebrated at home.

On October 18, 1810 in Munich Germany, Crown Prince Ludwig held a horse race to celebrate his marriage to Princess Therese. He never envisaged a wild, music-filled, "food and drink" fest that would continue on for almost 200 years!

Yet, this party has continued and lasts for 17 days every year from the end of September until the first Sunday in October and is celebrated throughout the world. Why not join in this year making your own Oktoberfest recipes and holding your own Oktoberfest!?

Besides the traditional sausages, sauerkraut, and beer, there are many other foods that can be included. One very common new addition is the currywurst. Invented in Berlin in 1949, this has now become THE traditional street food in Germany and is one that can easily be made at home.

Start with any type of sausage (Octoberfest sausage works great), fry it, and cut it into pieces to serve with toothpicks. It's served slathered with curry ketchup and sprinkled heavily with curry powder.

Can't find curry ketchup at your local store? Then make your own. Mix together 5 oz. Ketchup, 5 oz. Mayonnaise, 1 tsp. Curry powder, and about 1/4 onion, finely chopped.

Along with the currywurst, serve small crusty buns, rye bread crustini, rye crackers, or whole grain bread. Make up platters of German cheeses, cold cuts, grapes, and pickles. Have a variety of German mustards to use for dipping, including honey mustard especially for soft pretzels.

You can also make skewers of grilled sausage or ham and German cheeses. But if you want more substantial Oktoberfest recipes, try either Pork Hock with Sauerkraut or Baked Pork Chops with Sauerkraut.

For dessert, have trays of German cookies. Make a "Schwartzwälder Kirschtorte", Black Forest Cherry Cake, by using chocolate cake mix and making it in a 9 X 13 inch pan. Cut it into two layers. Fill with cherry pie filling and top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with chocolate curls and decorate with maraschino cherries. A quick and easy version of the real thing!

Besides having various beers to choose from, include Apfelschorle. This new traditional German non-alcoholic drink is so easy to make. Just mix apple juice and carbonated mineral water. It's refreshing and lower in calories than plain juice.

Serve up these Oktoberfest recipes with some great German music. Decorate your table and room with the traditional German colours of black, red, and yellow or the official Bavarian colours of cobalt blue and white.