What is sour cream called in Germany?

The only products labelled "sour cream" on the supermarket shelves here in Germany have herbs in them, meant to be paired with baked potatoes or eaten as a dip with chips. But no worries, fellow bakesters and bakestresses! One can choose from many different dairy products here that work as substitutes for the North American version of sour cream. In the baking world, saure Sahne, Sauerrahm, Crème Fraîche or Schmand could all be substituted for sour cream in a recipe (but be aware that the outcome of your baked good could vary, depending on the product you choose to use).

I used Schmand to replace sour cream in my coffee cake pictured here, and it turned out marvellously! Schmand is verrrrry thick though, thicker than sour cream. The next time I bake this classic recipe, just to experiment and see how the cake turns out, I'll substitute the Schmand with Sauerrahm instead (Sauerrahm is not as thick as Schmand; it is closer in consistency to sour cream). Saure Sahne, on the other hand, is more similar in consistency to plain yogurt. Pffffff, crazy dairy talk!!!

Circus Roncalli — Braunschweig 2012

My first time going to a circus and it wasn't all that. Schade. Oh well, it was Mother's Day so our tickets were half price. But seriously though, since Roncalli is quite a big name in the German circus scene, I expected to ouu and ahh much more than I did. The performers were talented, no doubt, but I feel like the entire show was missing this sense of magic, wonder and awe…



After going to my first circus, I've learned two things: that I hate the performances involving animals (i.e. ponies, dogs, etc.) and that my favourite performances involve acrobatics in some way. Even though this performance received the loudest applause, André and I liked this performance the best.

Canadian Invasion in Braunschweig

May 1st was a public holiday here in Germany, and it was perfect timing because that's when the Canadians invaded! Mike and his cousin Kelsey were our first visitors from Canada, so you can imagine how effing excited I was! After taking them on a bike tour of our city, we did as most of the Braunschweigers do on May 1st: BBQ. Here we are hangin' out in Prinzen Park... it was packed, btw!



...and then, on May 2nd, we canoed around Braunschweig! It sounds funny, but there's actually this really pretty river that circles all around the city. Absurdly, you don't need to drive 30 minutes up north to get in touch with nature here! Awesome, no?! The whole canoeing experience took about 3 hours and it was heaps of fun. Most memorable moment: the baffled look on locals' faces at the sight of us portaging through a residential area. Hahaha. Thanks for not tipping over, guys! Go Team Canada!



It's DÖNER, Mike, not DONER! Hahaha. After an action-packed day of canoeing, we all agreed on döner. So we took the Canadians to a place André claims has the best döner he's ever had. See, Mike and Kelsey have already tried döner, but they've never tried döner from Anatolien Grill. I gotta admit, they serve the biggest döners I've ever seen, but I've definitely tried better-tasting döners. All in all, the Canadians were lovely to host and it was a pleasure showing them a bit of our city. I ♥ having visitors!

Filipinos in Braunschweig?!

Marshall McLuhan once said, "Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity." Only within the last 1.5 years of living abroad have I come to thoroughly understand this. As a foreigner here, I'm constantly asked "Where are you from?" I always proudly respond, Canada!" If I receive a bewildered facial expression, I further explain, "My parents are from the Philippines." Ohhh.

Back when I was living in Toronto, whenever someone asked me "Where are you from?" I'd respond, "I'm Filipino." Strange, eh? Such is the common case for being born and raised in an immigrant country. Nowadays, I identify myself as a Canadian who was raised in/amongst the Filipino culture. And I gotta admit, I miss it. I miss mom's pancit palabok, pandisal from Baker's Best... even all the loud famjams. So imagine my state of shock after finding out that Filipinos exist here in Braun-town. Hallo Deutsch-Philippinischer Kulturkreis, guess who wants to become your newest member?

Kaffee und Kuchen

I can hear the mumbles already... "WTF is Kaffee und Kuchen?!" Here's the inside scoop: it's an age-old German tradition, and it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Similar to the British who have their Tea and Biscuits, the Germans have their Coffee and Cake. Considered a Zwischenmahlzeit (a small meal between meals), Kaffee und Kuchen is usually eaten at, say... 4pm-ish?

André tells me it's just another excuse for people to get together in the afternoons, and he might just be right. On weekdays, between the times of 2pm-5pm, they're everywhere. You see them sittin' pretty in these fancy shmancy cafés, sipping on their lattés and indulging in big fat slices of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte... they're usually old folks. For the 9-5 crowd, Kaffee und Kuchen is more likely a friends and family, weekend-chillage-thang (Sundays being more common than Saturdays).

Last week was a tad hectic for me. I started teaching 6 new courses, 4 of them 20 weeks long! (on that note, watch out for an upcoming blog post entitled, "How to Become an English Teacher in Germany") By the week's end, I felt that a proper session of Kaffee und Kuchen was an utter necessity. Before your very eyes is a slice of Banane-Rhabarber Kuchen (Banana Rhubarb Cake) with a side of fresh whipped cream from Der kleine Vegetarier, a local vegan joint here in Braunschweig. Lecker!

What I love about the cakes at this place is that they all look chunky and rustic: just my style. Ain't no Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte up in hea. One will, however, find Streuselkuchen and Bienenstich (other classic Kaffee ond Kuchen cakes) at a local Konditorei (cake/pastry shop). The wonderful thing about this tradition is that the cake options are endless! It may be useful to know that Kaffee und Kuchen is also popular in Austria, Finland and Luxembourg. So come on, Canada! Get with the program already!

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Today is Mother's Day and unfortunately, I'm unable to give my mama a great big hug... which sucks. As such, I'm sending a MAHAL KITA to my mama from across the Atlantic. Originally written to me from another loved one (you know who you are - tee hee), the message is now being passed on. Love ya, momskis! Can't wait 'til you, dad and Ates (hopefully) come visit us later this year. Make it happen!