This page describes how to make your own approximations of foods and ingredients that are commonly available in Germany, but not in the US. It includes making your own baking powder and vanilla sugar, quark, sauerkraut and sourdough starter . I have also listed resources for buying the product online or at a store near you.
1. Vanilla Sugar
Vanilla Sugar (Vanillin Zucker) is found in most German recipes for cakes and cookies. You can buy it online, or make it easily yourself.2. German Baking Powder
German Baking Powder is usually single-acting, so it is not interchangeable with American baking powder. Dr. Oetker is king of the German baking powder scene, with a proprietary blend of sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate and cornstarch.3. Quark
J.McGavin
Quark is a soured-milk, fresh cheese product which is gaining popularity in the US because of its versatility. You can eat it straight like cottage cheese, on bread, for dessert and bake with it. See also quark made with purchased culture or watch this video on how to make creme fraiche.
4. Make Sauerkraut at Home
J.McGavin
Sauerkraut came to Europe via Asia, where people have been pickling cabbage for thousands of years. Because of its high vitamin C content, it was very useful in preventing scurvy and keeping people healthy throughout the winter months when no fresh food was available.
- A virtual tour of a sauerkraut factory in Ohio.
- All About Cabbage
- Experiments in making sauerkraut
5. Sourdough Starter for German Bread
J.McGavin
German bread is often made with sourdough. Sourdough bread keeps longer and doesn't dry out as quickly. Start here to find out how. There are many ways of making bread sour.
