My dear blogging friends from around the world, I want to thank you for connecting with me through my blog for the last seven years. It has been so much fun getting to know you and I appreciate how you motivate me to keep on going. While I sit at my computer, I think of you in your own individual spaces. These are lonely times, especially for older people like me. Because of COVID, we have to distance ourselves and can’t socialize the way we used to. That’s why this blog is so important to me, as it keeps me connected. Thank you! This last month has been a very busy one for me, as my husband and I finally found a contractor whom we like and appreciates our unique home. After I broke my ankle in Budapest (and made it home safely), I realized that my bathroom situation needed a change. As I was unable to take a shower in my upstairs bathroom, I had to slide downstairs on my butt using my arms to push me up and down. Upstairs, I had a beautiful tub-shower combination but I had to step over a 20-inch ledge to get in and out. Right now, the workers are building a shower that will enable us to stay in our home of 35 years a little longer. I also decided to give my well-used kitchen a facelift by putting in a new countertop and backsplash, as well as some other improvements like pull-out shelves in my lower cabinets. During this construction project, my husband and I have moved into our downstairs living quarters. It is comfortable and cozy, but we only have a hot plate and a microwave to cook with. Sometimes in the evening, I can sneak upstairs and use my oven. Because of that, my cooking has been simple and there has been quite a bit of takeout food. My friends have also cooked for me, but we are at the age where we have to be careful not to catch this nasty virus. So, almost all of our get-togethers occur outside. Let's talk about my beloved Rote Grütze, a typical German dessert from northern Germany. There you can buy it in jars in almost every grocery store. You cannot buy it here in the US, but that’s OK because it is super easy to make. It’s healthy and a perfect way to use all the fruit you have in your garden or the refrigerator. Traditionally, it is made with red currants and other berries. Here in California, red currants are seldom available, so I made mine with cherries, blackberries, blueberries and a few raspberries. Since the fruit is only heated and not cooked, it is crunchy and fresh. Rote Grütze translates into “red porridge.” It was traditionally made with semolina, but today potato or corn starch is being used to achieve a creamy to pudding-like consistence. Think of a jelly with fruit. Or a compote. I personally like it with my homemade vanilla sauce, because the sauce adds richness and flavor. However, some people eat it with yogurt or ice cream. There are cakes made with Rote Grütze in Germany and sometimes it is served over warm waffles. Why not serve it with pancakes? If you make this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Last week at the farmer’s market I scored 2 baskets of red currents and I just had to make Rote Grütze again. It was divine. With the leftover red currents and other fruit I made my Rumtopf. The one I made last year was delicious with ice cream or just by itself , a potent little treat.
38 Comments
7/16/2020 06:08:37 am
Gerlinde, this is wonderful! We are really going to enjoy this--and soon!
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Gerlinde
7/16/2020 06:53:04 am
I hope you like it Jean, it is a refreshing treat.
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7/16/2020 01:31:43 pm
Thanks for the recipe for Rote Grutze. I look forward to making it. Your recipes are always so good. Good luck with the renovations. xo
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Gerlinde
7/17/2020 08:46:08 am
The renovation is dragging a bit, we are waiting for the tile people to finish so that the floor people can start their job. Thanks for the lovely comment. Stay healthy and safe .
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Glueckwuensche zum Jubilar. Ich glaube ich bin schon laenger dabei als 7 Jahre. Your recipes are always a pleasure to see and try and Rote Grütze is something I can eat too, without the vanilla sauce. I had no idea that you can buy it in jars in Germany.
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Gerlinde
7/17/2020 08:58:06 am
We are getting on in years, I am in my seventies. I enjoy reading your blog and all the comments. Let us both keep on going as long as we can.
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7/16/2020 02:44:46 pm
Wow, 7 years! Congrats. Having work done on the house is a major pain, but SO worth it when it's done. Thanks for sharing the recipe for Rote Grütze -- I haven't heard of this, but it sounds nice. And easy to make -- always a bonus. :-)
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Gerlinde
7/17/2020 09:01:42 am
John, thanks for your positive comment. I hope we are halfway through with our construction project. I need to check out some of your cocktail recipes .They always look so good.
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7/16/2020 05:19:20 pm
Construction projects keep us moving forward in these crazy times. You're right to be careful and to stay safe, but I'm happy you're enjoying your home. This dish reminds me of a plum porridge I had in Norway once called Plummegrøt. https://www.sippitysup.com/visit-norway-lingering-over-a-late-lunch-at-gamlastovo-farm-a-plum-porridge-recipe/
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Gerlinde
7/17/2020 09:04:47 am
Thanks for the comment Greg, Rote Grütze comes from northern Germany and the Scandinavian countries all have their own version. Stay well!
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7/16/2020 07:30:41 pm
Yeah Gerlinde! 7 years... I cannot believe it has been that long since we first met. Congratulation on your blogiversary and also tackling house projects. Your house is super cozy and love that fireplace. I know that renovations can be quite disruptive but so glad you were able to make this gorgeous rote Grutze with your makeshift kitchen. Looking at that delicious plate of currants is making us wish we had a plate of your delicious dessert right now. Stay well and take care
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Gerlinde
7/17/2020 09:08:46 am
Thanks for your nice comment Bobbie. We love our fireplace and the house. Hopefully this renovation will enable to us to enjoy it a little longer. Stay well and keep on cooking.
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7/18/2020 06:41:59 am
Love the recipes — especially the Rote Grütze! And seeing the photos of your almost finished kitchen in Facebook was amazing. You will soon be able to make wonderful things again! Happy 7th!
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Gerlinde
7/20/2020 04:39:00 am
Thanks for the comment David, I can’t wait to get back into my kitchen.
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Gerlinde
7/20/2020 04:39:48 am
Thank you Jeff , I enjoy my home of many years.
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Christine Kiebert-Boss
7/19/2020 12:42:12 pm
These are two wonderful recipes! The family enjoyed it especially knowing it came from you. Thank you. xXX
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Gerlinde
7/20/2020 04:40:46 am
Thanks Christine, I hope all is well with you.
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Gerlinde
7/20/2020 04:42:21 am
Thanks for the comment Sherry. This is the first time I have seen red currents here in California.
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Rote Grütze on waffles is wonderful. We can actually get it here in our stores. But you make it look so easy and I have 2 kg of frozen black currants in the freezer, I be giving this a try.
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Gerlinde
7/21/2020 05:46:13 am
I am jealous of your two kilo red currents. They just don’t grow here in California. I can’t wait for my remodeling to be over but I think I am looking at another month.
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Gerlinde
7/29/2020 01:34:03 pm
Rote Grütze is a tasty treat, I enjoy it very much.
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7/29/2020 04:27:52 am
Your temporary living quarters look very snug and cozy. Life could definitely be worse... ! But not having a full kitchen must be frustrating, but I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the end. Anyway, congrats on seven years of blogging! That's quite a milestone and definitely worth celebrating. Keep up the good work!
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Gerlinde
7/29/2020 01:31:06 pm
My living quarters are very noisy at the moment and I don’t have access to my upstairs because all the wood is being refinished. I am ready for the remodeling to be done.
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7/30/2020 01:11:53 pm
Congratulations on your seven years of blogging, I have had a lovely time following along. I always enjoy when you share recipes of a dish I have had in Germany but wondered how it was made. Your kitchen and bathroom will be worth the wait when they are done. 😘
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Gerlinde
8/2/2020 04:06:12 pm
Thank you Karen, you gave me some good tips on Munich. I hope you are doing well and staying safe.
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valentina
7/31/2020 05:32:40 pm
What a gorgeous recipe. The color is so lush an rich.
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Gelinde
8/2/2020 04:08:14 pm
Thank you Valentina, we are in the final stretch with our remodeling. Now we have to move back in and clean.
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Gerlinde
8/3/2020 09:36:15 pm
We are almost finished, they are doing the floors and stairs right now. Hopefully this is our last week.
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8/3/2020 09:02:36 pm
Wow, the Rote Grütze is so pretty with all that color and different shapes! Congrats on 7 years of blogging!
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Gerlinde
8/4/2020 09:48:56 pm
Thank you Inger, stay safe!
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How lovely to see you talk about rote grütze! Here in South Australia we have a place called the Barossa Valley, a world famous wine growing district which was established by German immigrants. They still make rote grütze there during vintage, but use red grapes instead of the traditional European berries - thus making it a regional speciality.
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Gerlinde
8/10/2020 10:06:14 pm
That sounds very interesting Amanda, I can see it made with grapes. It would be much sweater than using red currents.
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Gerlinde
8/10/2020 10:07:40 pm
Thank you Gloria, you also have amazing recipes on your blog.
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