Hoboken German Heritage Week continues:
"Alt Preussen Kochen Principen"
Old Prussian Cooking Principles
The enjoyment of good food is one of life’s great pleasures. This is especially so when in the company of good friends. On those occasions when many are gathered about your table, want requires a satisfying meal, flawlessly prepared and presented. The candles, table flowers, silver service, crystal and tasteful musical selections (Bach is best) create an ambiance enhancing the appreciation of fine food. They are as essential to one’s enjoyment, as are the quality of ingredients used and the care exercised in preparation of each dish.
Good cooking demands care and attention to detail. It also requires the proper tools and above all attitude. The principles below are provided to aid development of the proper attitude about food and cooking.
· There is no substitute for butter.
· Never use milk when heavy cream is handy.
· For frying, use only a large, well seasoned, cast iron pan. No nonstick stuff.
· If wine is called for, never use anything you wouldn’t drink.
· Fry only in butter, bacon fat or lard. Vegetable oil is for sissies.
· If oil is called for, use extra virgin olive oil.
· Onions are our friends.
· Garlic is a gift from God.
· Sugar, salt, fat and alcohol are the four basic food groups.
· Chili is supposed to be hot.
· Mustard without a bite is French.
· You can drink English ale but never eat English food.
· Lobster is better than fish.
· Everything is better with gravy.
· Vegetables are necessary but not sufficient.
· Anything can be made to taste good if you use enough spices.
· Never prepare or serve Haggis except to your enemies.
· Whipped cream is the ninth wonder of the world.
· Flame belongs under not in your pan.
· Nerds eat tofu.
· Homemade is better than store bought.
· Keep your knives sharper than your wits.
· TV dinners deserve capital punishment.
· Lettuce should be green or sometimes red, but never white.
· Always provide “gas be gone” when you serve cabbage or baked beans.
· Don’t be cheap. Buy a kitchen aid with all the attachments.
· Low fat milk is water.
· The Italians are right. Add a little wine to the dish and to the cook.
· Bland food is for bland people.
· Calories should be eaten not counted.
· Low fat and salt free are synonyms for tasteless.
· Microwave cooking is for leftovers.
· Bambi and the Easter Bunny make great Bar-B-Q.
· Sausages are health foods.
· Coffee without caffeine is punch without alcohol.
· Dining al fresco is for black flies and mosquitoes.
· Save a pig, eat a vegetarian.
Friends share food; true friends share recipes. Guten Appetit.
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