Germany - Munich

Visiting our friends in Munich was always going to be a highlight of this 'New Adventure' whilst travelling Europe. That it was to be a weekend of culinary delight from Hillrike's kitchen, was a bonus and what an experience it was! The three nights spent with Bernd and Hillrike at their home will be long remembered, not only for the cuisine, but also for the wonderful conversations around the table, for their open house hospitality and for the sheer pleasure of sharing their company. Few things in life can match good food and intelligent conversation, mixed with humour and old fashioned story telling around a table with people who you know are real friends.

Joan, Marius, Hillrike and Bernd

We left the Alpine region of southern Bavaria in rainy weather on Friday 31 August and the rain was with us all the way to Munich. Nevertheless the Deutsche Alpenstrasse road to the A8 autobahn was beautiful and not busy, until we hit the very busy A8 between Munich and Salzburg. It was slow going with two accidents on both sides bringing the traffic to a halt at times. We stopped at the lay by next to Lake Chiemsee for tea and only arrived in Munich by 17:00, more than an hour later than planned. We parked Fifi in their driveway and were soon enjoying a freshly baked cake with tea. Dinner followed at 20:00.

- Fresh Tuna with Sesame on Seaweed salad
- Parsley Root Soup with Carrots
- Steinpilz-Carpaccio with Cheese and Basil
- Calf Fillet with mashed Sweet Potato
- Assorted Cheese and Biscuits
- Summer Fruits with Strawberry Sauce

It was fabulous!

The next morning saw a breakfast fit for a King. Freshly baked buns with an assortment of cheese and cold meats, muesli with fresh summer fruits, freshly brewed coffee.
Then it was sightseeing time and Hillrike took us on a guided walk of some of Munich's attractions. The Marienplatz (central square in Munich), the Viktualienmarkt (food stalls and fresh produce markets), State Opera, Hofbrauhaus, Maximillianstrasse (Munich's Regent Street), the Odeonsplatz known for political rally's of the 1920's and 30's, and much more.

Feldherrnhalle, Odeonsplatz, Munich

 

We arrived home via the S-Bahn (local train) and a short walk in time for a quick nap before the evening dinner. And on the Menu was:-

 

- Pimentos de Padron with Mayonnaise

- Mushroom Soup with Cream and Parsley

- Freshly made Greek Salad

- German Goulash with Noodles

- Zabaglione with Fruit Salad and Almonds

 

Another evening of culinary delight!

 

Sunday morning was still grey but the damp and drizzle of the day before had gone and the outing for the day towards the lakes south of Munich was a go. The Ammersee was a focal point and the visit to the Andechs Monastry, with a beer by the same name, was a highlight. Set in lovely countryside with buildings to match, you can enjoy all from the church to the large restaurant serving hearty Bavarian fayre and the 'house' beer, to a smaller garden with views across the town of Herrsching. It was in this garden that we enjoyed a late afternoon snack of Weisswurst for me, Strudel for Joan, and Cheese cake for Hillrike.

 

A part of the Andechs Monastry

 

Strudel, Weisswurst and Cheese cake

The Weisswurst (white Sausage) is served in a bowl of hot spiced water, sausage is taken out and cut open to remove the meat from the membrane, and eaten with mustard and a pretzel on the side - jawohl! All this was enjoyed after a leisurely stroll on the banks of the Ammersee and chatting the afternoon away on any and all subjects. Hillrike knows Munich and the surrounding area very well and her knowledge and expertise provides an insight second to none!
We insisted that there be no cooking on the Sunday evening and that we finish what was left from the previous evenings. The meal was again so wonderfully put together that to the unknown it would have seemed like an all new menu. The piece d' resistance was a 10 year old Pomerol from Bordeaux brought out from Bernd's cellar. Heavenly!
Our visit will be long remembered, the friendship goes back more than 30 years and long may it continue for all to enjoy.

 

Vielen Dank Hillrike und Bernd!