This week’s recipe was a fruit soup, Fliederbeerensuppe mit “Plauener Spitze” (Elderberry soup with “Plauener lace”), from the section of the book on the German states of Sachsen and Sachsen-Anhalt. These states were part of East Germany, are located to the south and southwest of Berlin, and are home to the cities of Dresden, Leipzig, and Magdeburg.
The soup is made by boiling elderberries with apple and pear in water with some spices. As long as you can identify elderberries, this is a very easy recipe (and if you can’t find them, you can always substitute juice, I suggest replacing the water in the recipe with elderberry juice).
Plauener Spitze is a famous style of lace coming from the city of Plauen and the surrounding area. The Plauener Spitze in this recipe are poached, whipped egg whites that are floated on the surface of the soup. I had thought these would taste more like meringue, but they really tasted like fluffy poached eggs.
The soup is incredibly tasty. It’s one of our favorite recipes so far in the book, and yet another reason to have an elderberry tree in our garden when we eventually have a house. I would also assume the elderberries could be replaced with other berries if elderberries aren’t available, or just to have a variation.
While the Plauener Spitze were tasty, I probably wouldn’t go to the trouble unless I was having company over. The soup is so simple to make, and delicious, that I can see just whipping this up for a light lunch. The recipe suggests adding cream, I didn’t try this, but will probably next time, and that it can be served cold, which I’d also like to try in the future. We had it warm and it was very satisfying.
I would warn that this isn’t the most toddler-friendly recipe. In Oliver’s exuberant hands, the soup started to look a little like blood in color and consistency. It was still tasty, but a little disturbing to watch him enjoy it so. We also stripped him down because I assume the soup will stain. It took a day of scrubbing to get the color completely off his hands.
Other participants:
- Stephanie at A Greenville Life
Upcoming challenges!
- September 28 – Rehrücken mit Pfifferlingen (Roasted saddle of venison with chanterelle mushrooms) – I made this with venison goulash because I couldn’t get saddle and it’s delicious.
- October 5 – Würzfleisch mit Pilzem (Pork ragout with mushrooms)
- October 12 – Dampfnudeln mit Weinschaum (Sweet yeast dumplings with wine cream)
- October 19 – Kaninchen mit Pilzen (Rabbit with mushrooms) – I will be substituting chicken here since we had rabbits as house pets and can’t imagine eating one. Would be nice if someone did the rabbit version.
Feel free to join in anytime. Want more Real German Cuisine? Check out the full recipe list organized by German state.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Your version does look wonderful! Mine didn’t stain the bowl when I strained it (it was a white bowl), so that was the first clue that the cranberry juice wasn’t as “potent” as the elderberry juice… will have to keep my eyes open for elderberries and try it again!
Fliederbeersuppe is one the favorite meals of my wife’s family, although they make it with Pförtchen instead of lace. My mother-in-law has an annual Fliederbeersuppe meal (these days with juice from the Bio-Market instead of fresh berries). My wife and her brothers then reminisce about growing up and the time her younger brother ate 24 Pförtchen and got sick.
I can’t stand the stuff myself… way too sweet for my taste. But Christopher loves it.
.-= Scott Hanson´s last blog ..Easy Morning for Free goes Nationwide =-.
The photo of Oliver made me laugh out loud!
We couldn’t find elderberries. I didn’t even think of using juice instead!! Good idea.
.-= CN Heidelberg´s last blog ..Germany Is Not Spain =-.
Well now that I am living in a country where I can finally get all the ingredients.. I might just join in .. sounds fun….oh hang on, still in the process of moving into house… might need a few weeks to settle my feathers. Love what you are doing and still cook YOUR Tom yum goong soup at least once a month.. now it is family staple. Cheers Lynda
.-= lynda´s last blog ..Re-setting up House, again… =-.
@stephanie: I’m guessing they’re not going to be in a store. Probably just need to find out if the bushes grow in SC.
@scott: Mmmm, Pförtchen sound great.
@cn: I think I’m going to make this one more time with berries, since the bushes are still full of berries, but then I’ll try it with juice and see how that goes.
@lynda: I’m glad you liked the recipe. Welcome back to blogging and good luck with moving in. I hope you will join in once you’re settled