Memories, what wonderful memories, I have of our family celebrating Easter in our German Russian home. I remember Easter season being special, particularly to my mother. She was always busy in the kitchen preparing those special "foods". Mother thought it great fun to put together baskets for my brother and me. She would fill them with candy and hide them somewhere in the house. We always went to church on Easter Sunday.
Because I have many wonderful memories of growing up German Russian, I wish to preserve and share my culture with my family and my friends, who are curious about my customs and traditions. This BLOG is a unique way to pass along: recipes, history, folklore, language, crafts, family stories, and of course, how we celebrated our holidays.
I feel it is my way to honor, respect, and show gratitude for what my parents, grandparents, and fellow German Russians taught me and because of their good example, ingrained this culture deep in me.
Spice of Life - today we use cinnamon and allspice in our recipe.
Schnitz Soup
16 oz. (2 cups) dried fruit (raisins, apricots, cherries, prunes, plums, blueberries, cranberries)
3cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
Bring to boil. Simmer 5 minutes. Set aside several hours. Drain liquid.
Add half & half.
Note: If you like it thicker, add 4 tsp tapioca or use cream.
Sprinkle extra cinnamon and allspice on top it you like.
It is good warm or cold. ENJOY
Grebble
3 eggs (beat)
Mix in: 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup sour cream
Mix separately: 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt
Add to sugar and sour cream
5 1/2 cups flour - make a soft dough
Chill
Heat cooking oil.
Roll dough out on floured surface. Cut rectangles, cut 2 slits in middle of rectangle and twist.
Drop in hot oil. When golden brown on one side, turn and brown the other side.
When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar
Today, my life is SPICED!! thanks to Michael Miller, Director & Bibliographer - Germans from Russia Heritage Collection (GRHC) North Dakota State Universities Libraries. My book "A Stranger to Myself" is listed in their bookstore website.
I must stop clicking on the page - Oh, but it is so much fun to see my book.
Tomorrow is Good Friday and I will prepare Schnitz Soup and Grebble just like my mother did every year for the Good Friday supper.
I will post recipes.
I have in my possession my Grandfather John’s German Bible. I cherish and protect it.
Die Deutsche Bibel Uebersetzung
Von Dr. Martin Luther
Copyright, 1904, By A.J. Holman & Co.
Lutheran Book Concern
Columbus, Ohio
Because the Bible is so fragile, I keep it protected in an airtight box. When I spent time with it, I use gloves. I am in awe of the artwork and the German Language.
Grandpa John spoke five languages. He was dedicated to preserving the German language and taught it to anyone who wanted to learn. In Russia, he was a schulmeister, schoolteacher, and I think deep in his heart he wanted to be a preacher also. His brother-in-law, Elias Hergert (married to John’s wife’s sister) was Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. Grandpa John and Grandma Katherine lived in Portland for a while. I have been to the church building several times. It is located at the corner of SE 12th Street and SE Clinton Street. This building was sold and is now a Buddhist temple. The beautiful stain glass windows on the sides of the building remain. The round window behind the altar has been removed and is at the new Luthern church. I have attended a service there and looked through old church records for familiar names.
In 1988, when I first began my quest to find out the answers to MANY questions about my family and the German Russian culture, my Uncle Dave in Auburn, California showed me this Bible and copied pages from the Family History. What a wealth of knowledge: Names, Geburten (Born), Getauf (Baptised) with names of Godparents, Confirmiert (Confirmed), Sterbefalle (Died). Date immigrated - August 1909.
We are in the season of Lent and this time of year is special and sacred to me because living the Christian life in a tradition of my people that I consider vital for my life.
On Sunday, we made bierocks. It definitely is time to teach the younger generation. Here is the recipe that I use:
BREAD
3 cups water
1 Tbsp yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup potato buds (Aunt Liz's secret ingredient)
7 cups flour
let rise twice
FILLING
2# ground beef
1 large onion
2 large heads cabbage
Brown and add shredded cabbage a little at a time. It will cook down, then add more.
COOL to lukewarm (cabbage should not be cold or hot)
Roll out dough. Cut into 5 inch squares. Place cabbage in center and bring corners together.
Pinch seams tightly
Place in oiled pan.
Let rise 15-30 minutes
BAKE 375 for 30 minutes
NOTE: We call these Bierocks and also Runzas. The Russians call them Perogs
I wanted to add a note about the soup.
Jeet en bat Wota bie de Supp bie, wie kjriee Jast.
Add a little water to the soup, we're getting company.
Have a good day!
