June 26th
2006
In case you haven't come across a German fan cheering lately, this ("Berlin, Berlin...") was probably one of the most used phrases Saturday night. Germany was the first team to enter the quarter finals (Germany versus Argentina, next Friday in Berlin) and people have been partying all night long!
Who would have thought? Two weeks ago even the biggest optimists didn't expect the German soccer team to play such successful AND attractive soccer. Actually the Argentinean press made a comment about it - much more than a comment - rather a compliment, welcoming Germany to the game of soccer. I don't think we've been playing that lousy for the last years, but what we get to see in this World Cup is a different league - no pun intended.
The many people who believed that the World Cup may have a positive effect on our economy all seem to have been right on. Living in Munich (and probably anywhere in Germany at this point) feels a whole lot different these days, a noticeable change in atmosphere would be the understatement of the year. Locals as well as people from all over the world, soccer fans or not, carry an extra big smile on their faces throughout the day - which may be a totally normal thing in other spots of the world, but not necessarily in Bavaria. The typical experience would definitely include grumpy waitresses or police officers, unfriendly shop assistants and bus drivers. We just live with it, trying not to complain too much about it and keep our own vim and vigor. Having the World Cup in one's country is always an exciting event, but we are all pretty blown away by its positive impact on our daily life. And I'm not only talking about the countless evenings spent together with friends watching the games (all of them in fact, not only the Germans') and preparing lots of finger food.
Soccer is everywhere right now. There is no restaurant, pub or cafe that is not equipped with a large screen TV (or two or three) for its guests, the bakery around the corner sells not only "Arena bread" but also green cakes and football-shaped muffins... You can order special World Cup menus and there is not a single shop that hasn't changed its decoration in favor of a soccer theme. You don't just meet with your friends for a nice evening, you gather to watch the games and party afterwards. The weather god clearly means well (I think he's getting carried away a bit) and obviously wants to make up for the half-hearted Spring deal. We've been having sunshine day in day out since the World Cup started over two weeks ago.
Last Friday was play time, I had a day off and was on my way to the Asian grocery store at Rosenheimer Strasse around the corner when I ran into the Swedish soccer team at the Hilton Hotel. The huge police presence wasn't half as amazing as some of the hard core and very pretty fans. This way for more soccer impressions...
Even though we wouldn't begrudge any other well playing team to take home the Cup, there is a striking reason why Germany has to win: Jürgen Klinsmann, the German team coach. He's one of the few team coaches who will not hold back his enthusiasm, but show it in a very extrovert way (especially after his team made a goal): Jumping for joy, bouncing up and down like a rubber ball, shouting and cheering like a little boy, he got this whole nation brimming with excitement!
Meanwhile, until the next game is on, we'll be preparing more finger food such as these tasty Spring pockets - essentially they're spring rolls, simply in a different shape - & crispy sesame chips.
Unfreeze (if needed) spring roll wrappers and cover with a wet kitchen towel.
Cook noodles briefly in boiling water (per instructions). Cut, mince and chop ingredients. A quick word on ingredients: Usually I forget to buy the one or other ingredient, which really doesn't matter that much. Almost all of them are exchangeable and we discover new combinations every time (also try with shrimp, fresh coriander)...
In a wok or pan, heat 2 tbsp of sunflower oil. Add the ground beef/pork and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, add the ground chilies, stir. Then add the carrots, sprouts, noodles and finally the green onions. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still a bit crunchy. Season with sweet and regular soy sauce, add a bit of fish sauce (careful, this one is salty!) and oyster sauce. Stir. Remove from heat. Drain excess moisture from pan.
Feel free to experiment with different formats and shapes or just go with the standard roll. To make one side stick to another when folding, use the egg white as "glue" - this should help to keep its shape and prevents it from falling apart during the frying process.
Heat more sunflower/sesame oil in a wok (medium to high). Place a maximum of 3 or 4 pockets at a time in the hot oil. Deep-fry until crisp and golden. Remove with a skimmer and drain on paper towels. Serve with sweet chili or plum sauce. Cold on the next day, they're just as delicious. Rolls may even be prepared ahead of time and frozen, then fried when needed.
The sesame nibbles are a quick, yet nice add-on to the pockets. A bit of egg white helps the sesame to stick to the cut wonton wrapper (=spring roll wrapper) while frying for about a minute. While you sprinkle the white and black sesame seeds you may want to add a tiny pinch of coarse sea salt for an extra kick. The dip we served with it was a mix of crème fraiche and sweet chili sauce as well as a mix of crème fraiche and plum sauce - definitely a quick win, now on to the next matches...
Spring Rolls/Pockets (basic recipe)
Recipe source: own creation
Prep time: about 45 to 60 minutes
.
Ingredients (serves about 4):
Amounts pretty much depend on your own taste, experiment!
250g ground beef and/or pork
1-2 egg white (to brush edges)
2 carrots, grated
100g dried bean thread noodles
a handful fresh bean sprouts
3-4 green onions, cut very fine
Season with (parts mentioned are starting points, feel free to adjust to your liking):
soy sauce (1 part)
sweet soy sauce (1 part)
fish sauce (1 part)
oyster sauce (3 parts)
ground dried chilis (up to 1 tsp)
spring roll wrappers, about 8" in -diameter
sweet chili sauce
.
Sesame Nibbles
Recipe source: Fiona Smith, Dim Sum, p.9
Prep time: about 20 minutes
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Ingredients (amounts by guess and gosh):
wonton/spring roll wrappers, cut into small squares (or other shapes)
egg white
white and black sesame seeds
coarse sea salt
sunflower or sesame oil
as a dip: mix sweet chili sauce or plum sauce with creme fraiche (ratio about 1:1)
What a great atmosphere. Indeed, the second round match of Germany vs Sweden is by far one of the most exciting games to watch(the 6-0 Argentina game was a delight to watch too, though they seem to have turned it down a few notches in the match after). The current German team is consistent, fast and exciting and I really do believe their chances are quite high. No World-Cup themed recipes, yet? Heh.. ;)
Oh how I wish I could be in Germany right now! We are watching the World Cup every day, it's fantastic!!! I have to keep my fingers crossed for Spain, hopefully the final game will be Germany - Spain!
what a nice post! Go everyone!! :)
Nicky - you got it pinned :) It is exiting to be in Germany these days... Especially living in Berlin! I truly hope that the German team will not only be here next friday, but on the ninth as well!!!!
Anyway - I am a fan of your site... Brilliant pictures and even better recipes! Just great :) If you ever make it to Berlin and need some foodiet-tips... Just let me know :)
Keep up the good work!
Absolutely wonderful pictures, captures the spirit of being there. I certainly wish I could be. Keep the recipes coming!
Hello again!
This is absolutely one of the most nicest blog homepages i have seen!!Congratulations. I`d love to do this too, but i never find the time for nice things :( Viele liebe Grüsse aus der Schweiz, ursprünglich auch Deutschland, urursprünglich Türkei :). Hopp Dütschland!!!Hopp Schwiz...:) See you, Belma
it was a good match, and one which my friends and i enjoyed lots! i can imagine how wonderful it would be to be in germany right now, soaking in the atmosphere, fueled by adrenaline and excitement!
beautiful post as usual... :)
What stunning photos! Celebrating is so fun!
Und Freitag geht's weiter!!! Mag mir gar nicht ausmalen, was hier in München los sein wird, wenn die Mannschaft gegen Argentinien gewinnen sollte :) Biggest party ever! Danach heißt es wieder "Berlin, Berlin, wir fahren nach Berlin!" Gemeint ist dann aber gleich das Final...
I'm not much of a football/soccer fan but... i'm a big fan of springrolls!
Your spring'pockets' is a strike [sorry, football pun] of a genius! Love your idea a LOT. Might try playing with the springroll wrappers next time i do a batch which, quite incidentally, we've finished off last night! I normally freeze them for craving emergencies like last night, you see. Don't you find assembling springrolls/pockets, quite therapeutic? I do.
Friends gave as their tickets for the Friday game in Berlin and I can't wait to get there!!! Argentina is a though one, but the German team can beat them, let's keep all our fingers crossed!
Love your pictures! The food ones and the party ones! My girlfriend doesn\'t like to cook and she hates soccer, maybe I should show her your website? As an inspiration!
I so much want for France to meet England in the semi's, so I can go to the local French cafe and be the only one in an England shirt but still know I am amongst friends and know too, that whatever the outcome, we will still all love each other.
Hi Delicious Days. Great Foto with that german couloured eyelashes. Think thats the best use of those coulours I saw lately... Take a look at my page, I wrote in a recipe you'll like for sure (simple, old-fashioned, sweet and great) - maybe as an hangover breakfast after the big party...?
Hi,
It was fun to read your post as you are right in the midst of the world cup action! I live in Fort lauderdale, FL and have been watching as many games as possible with my husband. I've been picking particular games and cooking a dish from the country of the victorious team and writing it up in my blog. We celebrated your German team by eating at an authentic German restaurant near our home. Please write more as the tournament progresses!
Julie
Schon Wahnsinn, wie wirklich alle mitfiebern! Eine Stimmung, die gerne noch etwas anhalten darf!!! Übrigens eine echt süße Schwedin habt Ihr da erwischt ;)
hi nicky! argentinean people are like that. they're always "welcoming" us, everywhere... although my best friend is argentinean, i’ll be - of course! - supporting germany tomorrow, as every single brazilian in this small world (brazil-argentina's relationship is equivalent to the england-france’s one) will do.
unfortunately, brazil must beat england (the country where i’ve been leaving nowadays) in the semi’s to meet germany in the final.
hum! it sounds as we’re going to have a very exciting football match on 9th of july!
good luck tomorrow!
Ah yes the soccer world indeed! I remember the 1998 worldcup. I already lived in the US and it was nuts here as well! And it boosted the French economy!
This year, what makes the fun and excitement is that I have friends from Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Germany, France all in one place. No need to say we keep "pumping" each other up! But then I come from a family where both my dad and brother played a lot of soccer. And i also remember the German/France semifinal many years ago! My Argentinian friend said to me that she thinks Germany will win! ;-) Ah and yes, I did not even say anything about the recipe, did I? Superbement bon!
It must be fun, living the World Cup first hand.
Since Spain are out , I´ll be rooting for Germany today. I hope you do make it to Berlin!
Anne, Believe it or not, I was thinking of you when I took the photos, because your blog was the first Swedish foodblog I discovered (a long time ago I might add ;)
Ginger M, I keep racking my brain, but haven't been able to come up with a World Cup themed recipe I'd like to feature...But who knows, there is still a week left!
Sonna, Thanks for your nice feedback! Actually, we haven't been to Berlin for way too long, so with the holiday season approaching quickly I might take you up on your offer - sooner or later :) Thank you!
Belma, I know about the time issue... I'd love to update the blog more often, but then there is a real live and a day job always breathing down my neck, so many plans, so little time... Thanks for your wonderful compliments!
Mae, What a beautiful thought, assembling springrolls/pockets having therapeutic benefits! You're probably right in general, concerning springrolls I feel I've had my share: We made them for a big house party once and when you're done with folding over a hundred mini rolls, you happily surrender...
Sam, Sorry to see the English team losing yesterday! I was keeping my fingers crossed for them, because I would have liked the final game to be Germany against England (but we have to beat Italy first, of course...). And who knows how things would have worked out, if the referee hadn't forced Carragher to redo the penalty kick...
Julie, What a sweet idea to follow the World Cup and combine it with the individual local cuisines! Two more rounds to go...
Juliana, Thanks for you good luck wishes, they must have done it!! Wow, what an exciting game - the penalty kicks at the end "cost" me 5 years of my life...
Bea, The German economy would have good use for a boost as well ;) You're right, a lot of people have predicted this effect early on and in combination with the overall increase of enthusiasm/happiness is really uplifting...
Lobstersquad, Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed for Germany, we are thrilled to see our team making it into the semi finals with the other great teams.
Those are some great photos. As a Germany supporter in the States, it can be tough to subsist on matches with no other fans around, so thanks for posting those. Ich fiebere fuer morgen: my birth country vs my motherland! :)
yummy, yummy! i love spring rolls. nice recipe! (*o*)
Berlin, Berlin, ihr fahrt nicht nach Berlin :(
Well, neither do we. ;(
ooh, nice pics of the sad Swedish players. We watched that game, and it was misery indeed. Great job from the German team, though! :) And frankly, I'm quite content that the madness is over... for now. The recipes look great too!