October means pumpkins, cooler weather, Autumn leaves, and of course it is Oktoberfest time all around the world. If there is anything I like more than an excuse to eat delicious food it might be a chance to wear those cute Dirndl dresses with Lederhosen. Just kidding, I would much rather be cooking up a harvest inspired feast than dancing the polka as most of you already know!

Dirndl and lederhosen

Oktoberfest is typically a 16 day extravaganza that is held every year in Bavaria from late September into October attracting more than six million people annually. I know, I’m a wee bit late posting this (it’s been an uber busy few weeks) because it began on September 19th with the closing ceremony on October 5th in Munich this year, but here in the United States the festivities will continue throughout October 26th! Any excuse to guzzle hand crafted beers…

Hand crafted beers

… and stuff our faces full of the foods that make our own Oktoberfest just as much fun as the big one! I have been known to whip up my own versions of the traditional fare including Hendl (roast chicken) and Schweinebraten (roast pork), but don’t forget we must include the potato dumplings, sauerkraut, sausages and red cabbage.

Sausages with sauerkraut and hand crafted beers

You have to keep up your strength during Oktoberfest to play all those great competitive games like they play in Germany every year and dance the time away to the traditional music that is played throughout every festival. Today’s fests usually include carnival style rides, vendors with plenty of craft items that invoke images of the Alps and cozy gingerbread cottages.

Anyone ready for a polka?

A tradition that began in 1810, Oktoberfest might have started out as a German holiday celebration but now the whole world makes it a party of their own to usher in harvest time and the holiday season in style. Everyone loves a party and Oktoberfest is one of the biggest parties of the year. So come join me this month and lets test our creativity as we explore the food traditions of Bavaria and maybe put our own spin on a few of them – like this German-Style Pot Roast recipe below.  Auf Wiedersehen for now!

German-Style Pot Roast

This not an original recipe, it came with my slow cooker, and has been a favorite of my clients and mine ever since. It doesn’t get much easier than this!