I have had some interest in my last post concerning Glühwein. Here’s the recipe on how to make it. Make a big batch, invite friends over, and have a grand holiday time.
6 cloves
4 Tablespoons sugar cubes
Rum to pour over sugar
4 cups red wine (dry)
1 orange to zest
1 lemon to zest
3 cinnamon sticks
Pour red wine into a pot with the cinnamon, cloves and zest from the orange and lemon. Let it warm up (but don’t cook it, just warm it).
Put some kind of metal grate over the pot to place the sugar cubes on. Pour a little rum on the sugar and light on fire (be extremely careful please!!). Let the sugar drip into the wine. (If this seems too unsafe for you, just drop 4 tablespoons sugar into the wine mixture and add a dash of rum in).
Use a strainer and pour the Glüwein into cups and serve hot!
Glühwein
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Mid-November is when the much anticipated Christkindlmarkt open throughout Austria. The locals are wild for this event, and I have to admit, it stirs up happiness in me too.
It’s basically an outdoor fair that goes on for six weeks to celebrate that Christmas is coming. There are stands that sell toys, Christmas decorations, and sweets. What the adults really go for though, is the very strong alcoholic Glühwein. Here’s how Glühwein is prepared.
Take some cheap red wine and warm it up in a pot. Throw oranges, cinnamon sticks and other mystery spices in. Grab a metal grate and put it over the pot. Place a large sugar cone on the metal grate and douse it in rum. Set the sugar cone on fire and let the sugar drip into the pot. Serve hot. Get drunk.
Yesterday was the opening of the Christkindlmarkt in Vienna. Vienna has about 15 different ones located throughout the city, but it is the opinion of many that the one at the Rathaus (city hall) is the best. Don’t go to a Christkindlmarkt during the day, you’ll be the only one there. Go after the sun sets. I know it seems insane to stand around outside in the middle of winter, but get some Glüwein, and it won’t seem so cold. Enjoy the merry atmosphere.
Vienna Rathaus Christkindlmarkt
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I have been asked to write about food in Austria. I feel that I have been neglecting my duty on this all important topic. So here goes. I will be writing a series on food and dividing it up by meal (breakfast, lunch, coffee time, and dinner). I’ll also be giving tips on what to eat and order. Warning for vegetarians: Austrian cuisine is all about meat and potatoes. I’ll help you get around that.
Everyone knows that eating breakfast is an important health choice. Below is what you’ll usually find when breakfast is being served.
- Bread. It’s the most delicious that you have ever tasted. I don’t know what they do to their bread here. You usually get a basket with a variety from white bread to dark bread filled with seeds and nuts. Divine!
- Butter and jam are served along with the bread. If you’re lucky, you’ll somehow get a hold of homemade jam. It seems like every woman here makes her own. I am a fiend in collecting homemade jam. I like it because it seems to have less sugar, allowing you to taste the fruit more.
- Nutella. If I have to educate you about Nutella, you are missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures. Chocolate is allowed, (no!) full accepted, as part of breakfast. For you Americans, you can buy it at any grocery store where the peanut butter is. Smear it over French bread and let your taste buds dance with delight.
- Hard boiled eggs are usual. You can ask for soft boiled eggs if that is your preference.
- Ham and cheese. I find it very weird to have lunchmeats for breakfast. Austrians make themselves little sandwiches for breakfast. Odd.
- Coffee and orange juice.
At an Austrian breakfast you will not find omelets, pancakes, or muffins. There are no breakfast joints either. If you want to go to breakfast, you go to a (surprise!) coffeehouse and are spoiled by the above items being served on silver platters. Literally. Silver platters. I find the experience to be decadent.
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