Bärlauch Pesto, seasonal eating

Bärlauch is a garlicky leek tasting plant that is a sure sign of spring in Germany. In the States it is called by the name of Ramps or wild leeks.

When gathering from the wild here in Germany it is better to pick before the Lily of the Valleys spring up as the leaves look about the same. The Lily is poisonous and the other is not; although one must also pick the Bärlauch before its flowers start to bloom as they become poisonous then also. So your window to enjoy this great spring delicacy is not long. and you need to know what you are doing or buy it in the store.

A couple of Fridays ago we were by a friends home and they happened to have a patch of Bärlauch and she cut a large bunch. I happily went home and created the following new favorite of mine Bärlauch Pesto.

for 2 people:
50g Bärlauch (Ramps), 20g Pine nuts, 50-100ml cold pressed Olive oil, 50g grated Parmesan cheese. For nuts I did not use pine nuts but ssubstituted and combined nuts to get my 50g with Walnuts, Hazelnuts and/or almonds. Walnuts straight are my favorite taste.


Very simple to make: gather ingredients,

gind up nuts and cheese with a stickmixer,

drizzle in some of the Olive Oil,

start to add the Bärlauchs/Ramps

add more of the Olive oil as needed to keep it moist,

finish mixing to your desired texture, smooth or more smooth,

serve over pasta, season with pepper and salt and enjoy!

Since I had more than 50grams of Bärlauch/Ramps, I made a large batch and froze most to have for later after the plants are out of season.

I also use the same recipe with Rucola (Arugula) to make a pesto as a change from the normal Basil.

Links of interest:

caloriecount.about.com/blog/partners/ramps-wild-leeks-delicious-spring-treat-b414072?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_20100416&utm_term=continue1

dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/ramping-up-for-spring/

Vosteen, the place, the people

The Vosteen's in Vosteen.

Leaving Germany is going to be hard. Not only do we have friends here, we also have family. My grandfather left Germany in the 1920's, leaving behind two sisters and four brothers. We have, during the last four years, been able to reconnect with the surviving members of our family here.

While on our trip over Easter weekend, we had a mini-reunion with the cousins, which was grand! Here are some pics from the area ...

The canal behind the cousin's house in Bardewisch where my grandfather was born and lived the early part of his life.

Cousins Paul, Hans, and Horst. Paul is the son of Hans' father's brother's son. Hans is the son of Pauls' father's uncle. Horst is the son of Paul's grandfather's sister. Relax ... we can keep it all straight ...

The plaque on the outside of my grandfather's old workshop ...literal translation: "long live the art room". My translation: "Long live the carpenter"

"Without hand work, it does not work. This company will train you."
"Hand work, the German versatile economic sector"

Vaden, Karin, Stryker-Ann, Paul and Horst. Horst and Karin, we love you!

More drainage canals in the northern German landscape ...

... they do not always run in straight lines.

The roads run pretty straight, however.

A tired, but happy girl, on the way home.

Proof positive that all roads do lead to Paris.

Easter

Part of Easter morning at the cousins. An Easter-hunt was organized ...

Wils scores on the Milka bunnies.

This part of northern Germany is prone to flooding, so there are a lot of little trenches in the landscape for drainage.

The hunt continues.

... dividing the spoils (so everyone got a bit of everything).

... gotta love the Maikäfer.

And just across the drainage canal, the Osterhase (Easter hare) keeps an eye on us.

... then dashes away. These guys can really move!

Pre-Easter

We traveled to the northern part of Germany to visit with Paul's relatives this past Easter.

Wils and his cousin playing Fußball ... I think that one is going in, Wils ...

The occasion was Easter and birthday ...

... with lovely Tischdeko

and lovely guests

and the birthday-boy!

und so weiter, und so fort

make a wish!

Kaffee, Tee und Kuchen ... yum!

oh, and someone had a new car ... :-)

... more joy to come on Easter morning.