Oktoberfest

I wonder how long one would have to wait for a beer in this very crowded Munich beer hall?
Perhaps the crowds have lightened up since Saturday was opening of the 16 day festival that goes through the first weekend in October. It is truly a spectacular event to witness with some 6 million people from around the world descending on the beer tents/halls in Munich. 
The festival is an important part of Bavarian culture having been held since 1812. History tidbits: Crown Prince Ludwig was married to Princess Therese of Saxee-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invite to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of royal gates to celebrate the happy royal event. And so began the beginning of Oktoberfest. Over the past 200 years it has been canceled 24 times due to cholera and war.

And they sure know how to kick up their heels and have a good time. So perhaps you might be considering hosting your own festival/party if traveling to Munich is not possible for you. These recipes will be perfect for entertaining with a Bavarian flair.

Oktoberfest Meal-serves 25

 Cook's note: Red cabbage goes well with this meal

Hot German Potato Salad

Ingredients:

· 8 lbs. small red potatoes

· 2 LB. of bacon

· 1 cup cider vinegar

· 1 cup of sugar 1 cup water

· 3 heaping TB.of flour

· salt, pepper

·3 TB. celery seeds

Directions:

· Boil potatoes with skins on till slightly soft-you want to cook them until peel starts to split-don’t overcook

· Drain and peel cut in half or quarters

· Fry bacon save grease

· In fry pan start with grease, sugar, vinegar and water-whisk on low heat till boil

· Add flour to 1/3 cup water and whisk that into sugar/vinegar mixture and cook till thick, adding celery seeds and salt and pepper

· To crock pot add potatoes, chopped bacon.

· Pour sugar/vinegar/flour mixture over and cook on low heat 2 hours

Option is to cook potatoes mixture in a covered baking dish and cook in oven @ 350 for 50 minutes

Apple Sausage Mixture

Ingredients:

·7 LBS. of sausages (use a variety of ones that are fully cooked like from Hillshire and Farm Fresh-Example Polish, Kielbasa (they come in a circle shape like ring bologna)

·5 apples diced

· 3 onions diced

·10 cups apple cider

Directions:

· Dice meats in 1-1/2 slices

· In a large soup pot add meat slices, cider, onion, apples

·Cook covered on low heat for an hour or so till apples soft 

 Black Forest Cherry Bundt Cake

Serves 12

Ingredients:

·1 box of chocolate cake mix with pudding mix in it

· 1 can cherry pie filling (reserve 1 cup for cake mix ingredients and save rest for the topping)

·3 eggs

· 3/4 cup water

· ¼ cup oil

· 2-3 TB cherry brandy or 1 tsp. almond extract

Directions:

· Grease a bundt pan or a 13 x 9 pan and sprinkle with 1 TB. sugar

· Mix all ingredients and bake @ 350

    Bundt pan 45-50 minutes or if using a 13 x 9 pan check at 30 min

Serving:

For each cake slice top with large TB of cherry pie filling then add a dollop of cool whip