Oktoberfest at home

Doing a version of this every September has been a tradition since we were married. Usually it's just a simple schnitzel with noodles kind of thing, but this year since most Oktoberfests and things have been cancelled we went a little more all-out.

We decided to celebrate outdoors and recreate a biergarten (beer garden) at home as best we could.

Menu:

• Pork schnitzel using Destiny cookbook Recipe

• Braised apples and red cabbage again, Destiny cookbook Recipe

• German red potato salad Destiny cookbook Recipe

• Pretzels, a mix of online recipes with cheese sauce reserved from the Rachel Ray pretzel crusted chicken I had made the night before.

• Apple strudel, again a mix of recipes

• Heffeweizen for me, Oktoberfest for him

• Black Stag cocktails made with Jagermeister.

Getting the pretzels to stay on the pretzel tower was interesting, but added fun dimension!

The schnitzel is the best I've ever made, I'll never go back to using anything but peanut oil for frying it! The breading adhered nicely as well.

The braised cabbage added a nice touch of color to an otherwise very brown and starch-dominated table.

Cabbage and lemon slices add some color to the plate! As do the chives, shallots, and bacon in the red potato salad.

Let the festivities begin!

With a soundtrack of German and Austrian beer hall songs, we dined and drank.

Cheers!

This little guy woke from a nap to join us and enjoy some food!

German food is Jack approved.

Next up, apple strudel.

Rum soaked raisins and thin sliced apples

Flattening to paper thin is key!

Warm vanilla bean sauce for serving...

And some black stag cocktails to go with it.

Final cheers! Happy fall y'all.

Be well,

Elle