As one of the world's most eminent composers, Wolfgang Amadeus deserves a special tribute on this site. On January 27th, he would have turned 256 years old – ok, not a major anniversary, but a fine opportunity to celebrate anyway. From serenades like "Die kleine Nachtmusik" in G major (a little night music) to major comic operas like "Die Zauberflöte,"(the magic flute), tragic operas like „Don Giovanni," or major oevres like Symphony 40 in G minor - his over 2,000 musical creations remain the most profound audible delights for young and old even today. Add edible delights such as the orginal Mozartkugeln (mozart balls) and the celebration is perfect.

Mozartkugeln are chocolate candies made from pistacchio marzipan and nougat (hazelnut) cream covered in dark chocolate couverture. Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst created them in 1890 and today, they are avaialable from producers like Reber or Mirabell in stores areound the world. So, on January 27, search the online- radio stations and click on Symphony Nr. 40, pop a Mozartkugel in your mouth, and enjoy a moment of classical bliss.

Find a store with good German product assortments

Buy a Mozart birthday sampler

Touch-Down Treats for Game Day

Football's annual show-down is fast approaching and you may wonder what to serve those hungry bellies during the Superbowl party (no matter whether you and your guests genuinely want to watch the game or just the advertising during the breaks). Of course, there is always take-out pizza. But if you want to try something different, we recommend some German meal ideas which will add a special note to this all-American event: original frankfurter sausages with curry ketchup or spicy Düsseldorf mustard; authentic peanut flips; crunchy "good for you" pickles; whole grain breads with cheese and radish slices; or cheese spätzle with sauerkraut. Wash this down with smooth Bavarian beer or stay sober with sparkling German mineral water and your taste buds will tingle along with the quarterbacks throws.

Sauerkraut Pizza

Hofbräu Coleslaw

Buy super-bowl snack and side dish samplers

Winter Warming Soups and Stews

Once upon a time in the late 18th century, a poor farmer's wife in South East Bavaria had to feed a band of marauding soldiers (the infamous Trenk Pandurs)from the Austrian Empire. Only a few pieces of cabbages and carrots and scraps of beef, mutton and pork was all that was left that day (potatoes were not known in Germany at that time). Nevertheless, she threw all she had into a big pot and apparently concocted such a good meal that she and her family not only survived the attack bit also preserved the recipe for future generations. A century later, in 1879, legendary cook and restaurant owner Auguste Winkler living close to the very, very small village of Grattersdorf (somewhere between Regensburg and Passau, close to the Czech Republic) was asked to prepare a meal for a large outdoor party that took place on the top of a forested mountain called Büchelstein, It was July, but it must have been rainy and unseasonably cold. So she re-created a locally known one-pot recipe with cubes of lean pork, beef and lamb or mutton, and chunks of celery, leeks, carrots, savoy and other cabbages. That heat-warming meal eventually became the famous Pichelsteiner(derived from Büchelstein) and the party became one of South-East Bavaria's largest festivals. Although this festival tales place in July, the one-pot Pichelsteiner is a perfect meal occasion for cold winter days. Enjoy!

Pichelsteiner Stew

Split Pea and Sausage Soup (Erbsensuppe mit Würstchen)

Visit the Pichelsteiner Festival in July/August 2012