August 10th
2006
"Brotzeit", a term we Bavarians quickly claim to be our own invention, translates to a small meal, that A) typically consists of down-to-earth Bavarian delicacies and B) preferably is eaten in a cozy Bavarian beer garden. Not to be confused with the obsolete greeting "Mahlzeit!" (an abbreviation of "Gesegnete Mahlzeit!", roughly translating to "Have a blessed meal!"), an expression that is being abused in countless German offices around lunch time (and annoys the heck out of me).
So why is it, that now that temperatures have dropped to somewhere between a pleasant 22°C and an already chilly 16°C all of a sudden there is no time left for cooking? During our recent heat wave it was simply too hot to do anything, let alone stand in the kitchen and flip a steak. Now that we've survived the hot spell and start to appreciate a few cooler days (ok I could easily do without the rain) I'm swamped with work. I guess you can't have it all...
Naturally, my favorite coffee bar at work has seen me on a more frequent basis to pick up a sandwich or two. For everyone else struggling with a tight schedule, here is a very basic Brotzeit suggestion: Take a thick slice of the best (German) sourdough bread you can find. For me that would be the Bauernkruste from the Schmidt bakery (Steinstraße 27 and Viktualienmarkt), which has a wonderful tasty crumb and -most importantly- the crunchiest crust! Top it generously with butter, a sliced radish (the small pink ones) or freshly chopped chives and don't forget to add some coarse sea salt. In beer gardens the white radish is usually cut and served in the shape of an accordion and salted, so it starts to sweat. While a hard core Bavarian (shame on us) is probably supposed to know how to achieve the right look with just a sharp knive, there is also a gadget available supposingly producing nice curls so you don't have to (oops got carried away, this how zefrank would have ended his sentence - apparently 'been watching too many clips lately). Anyway that's just eyecandy, when you're tight on time, thin slices will do just fine! Stay tuned for more elaborate Bavarian Brotzeit tips...
But no time to cook doesn't necessarily mean no time to enjoy great food: It took us almost one and a half year since our first contact to finally meet London-based food blogger Johanna in her home country Austria to enjoy a wonderful day with great food in Salzburg.
So Beautiful! Your photos are SO crisp and clear.
Great post! ---Melissa
Quelles photos incroyables! Quel talent! Bravo!
must have been ages since i ate real sourdough bread. but a friend told ma about a bakery which sells it, maybe i can find it. i have only been to germany once, more than ten years ago, but i do remember the beer gardens :)
Mmmmm! A slice of good rye bread with salted butter and plenty of chopped chives is a wonderful treat indeed!
Glad to hear that you met up with Johanna - I've had that pleasure twice now, and will meet her and Jeanne in Edinburgh in 6 weeks or so again. Cannot wait!
I love simple snack food/tapas/mezes like this. It is nice to see the Bavarian style of these small plates. I want that gorgeous bread in your photo.
Genau das richtige für eine bayrische Brotzeit, die einfachen Dinge sind mir doch die liebsten. Wobei, Obatzda und Hendl sind auch nicht verkehrt! Wie macht Ihr nur so schöne Bilder von so profanen Gschichten wie einem Radi?
I don't think I've ever seen a snack as delicious as this. I can only imagine how fantastic this would - you have me salivating!!!!!!!!
Bavarian Brotzeit is one of the best things I ate while I studied in Nuernberg. Together with a huge mug of fantastic beer (Bavarian and Czech beer is the best!)
Als Hardcore-Baier (nein nicht mit 'ay') schneide ich meinen Radi vom Grünen zur Wurzel in dünne Scheiben. Nicht ganz stilecht, aber immer wieder gut, ein paar Tropfen Sesamöl auf die Radischeiben. Probierts!
Found your delicious blog via 9rules! You guys are amazing, excellent combination of exceptional photography, design and content...very inspiring! S.
I've been a regular reader for a couple of months now and find your travel stories as well as the local tidbits the best. 'love to learn about countries (I haven't been to) and their characteristics, just like your post on Brotzeit. Thank you!!
I have lived in Germany for 6 month and visited Bavaria on two occasions. The food and especially the beer gardens were stunning, hopefully I can go back very soon.
Totally unrelated, but I just saw D:D mentioned as one of the times Top 50 coolest blogs - CONGRATULATIONS!! You just go ahead an celebrate with a few more of those brotzeits!:-D
don't know where to start now: although we don't do brotzeit (too lazy to get up in time for "elevenses", probably), I am addicted to rye bread with (salted) butter and chives, it's the simple things that make me tick! (I know pille is with me on this, as we devoured slice after slice after slice when she stayed over in may).
after moving to london i struggled for the longest time to find "Radi" - until I discovered that it is not dissimilar from "mooli", widely used in Asian/Fusion cooking - it lacks the bite, but will do to satisfy the odd craving ;-)
Hope you're having fun in vienna and hope to see you again soon!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a snack as delicious as this. I can only imagine how fantastic this would - you have me salivating!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on making Time Magazine's 50 Coolest Websites list for 2006! Bravo and well deserved!
Congratulations on being named one of Time magazine's 50 coolest! I've been enjoying your site for over a year now and as an added extra bonus it's been serving as invaluable as teaching tool for my mother when I try to explain German cooking and culture.
AND I am glad not to be the only one who cringes when people in the office say Mahlzeit!
hi nicky and oliver, congrats on making the top 50 coolest site on time magazine!!! everyone can see why you totally deserve this honour!! :)
hi nicky and oliver, congrats on making it to one of the 50 coolest websites on time magazine! it's a recognition well due!!
delicious photos!
Oh yum this looks so delicious. And that bread! I'm so jealous!
Hi, do you know that your blog was picked as one of TIME magazine's 2006 - 50 coolest websites?
http://www.time.com/time/2006/50coolest/index.html
It is there under shopping, lifestyles and hobbies.
Congratulations!
Just browsing the photos feel delicious.
Message from Hong Kong - Jane
ikka, I keep my fingers crossed for you! Dear friends of ours who live in Colorado Springs took us to a German Bakery right in the city - I'm sure you'll be able to track one down nearby as well :)
Hallo Tim, Obatzda und Hendl stehen natürlich (obligatorisch) auch bei fast jedem Biergarten-Abend auf dem Programm - mai hom's mia guad! ;)
Sulei, No doubt a mug of good ol' bavarian beer fits nicely with any Brotzeit :) As well as a mug of Radler.
shr, Vielen Dank für den Tip, werde ich mal versuchen!
Hi Megan, Thank you for you kind feedback! Concerning the "Mahlzeit", I think the younger generation is much more annoyed by this habit than the older ones? For my parents or grandparents it's a polite standard...
Hi Johanna, Vienna was a trip, literally. We had a blast, enjoyed staying in the city, and of course had a fantastic time at the most wonderful wedding we've been to!
Your photos are absolutely amazing!
Sigh, brings back good memories from the Chinesischen Turm im Englischen Garten. Only a few hours until "Ozapft is!"
I miss Brotzeit! We lived in Garmish Part. for a year in 2006-2007, my husband is Bavarian - I am a kiwi. I miss Brotzeit in Deutschland - now we do it kiwi style. So nice to see your post about it.
I visit your site almost everyday to check for updates, it's addictive, but I never posted a comment before. Your post about the Bavarian Brotzeil brought back memories of last year's holidays (we visited friends in Augsburg), where we enjoyed beautiful beer gardens and the fantastic food. Thank you!