Erdbeer-Bowle (Strawberry Bowl)

This week's Real German Recipe Challenge on Amiexpat's blog was a fun one - Erdbeer-Bowle (Strawberry Bowl)! This is a drink - and since the strawberries here are in season and SOOOOOOOOOOOOO yummy (our family of 4 has eaten over 4 gallons (16 liters) in 3 weeks....!) - I couldn't wait to try this with the fresh berries from our local produce stand.

Overall, the drink reminded us of a fancier sangria! I didn't even try to look for lemon balm - I know that my nearby groceries wouldn't have it and didn't have the time to try to the specialty stores - but I don't think it would have mattered (it WAS optional in the ingredient list!)

We enjoyed the drink- but we did wonder if the strawberries should have been mashed a little bit to become more of a puree in the drink. (Think of a bellini) We were getting a spoon out to eat the berries left in the bottom of the glass! Very refreshing drink!

In the German cookbook that I have (by Mimi Sheraton), this recipe is a variation of Cold Duck. Interesting!

I love the sidenote that was translated along with the recipe: "The quality of the wines is decisive for the salubriousness. (Conducive to health or well-being). Whoever uses cheap wine and a lot of sugar, can expect a hangover the next day."

----- WOW!! That is mindblowing to me!!!! No wonder I don't have hangovers when I am in Europe drinking good beer and wine!!

But here in the States, I tend to resort to some of the cheaper items - and guess what??!!???? Yes - I get hangovers. Makes complete sense to me and is something that I wish I learned A LONG time ago!!! ;-)

So.... when buying wine, I tried to pick out something a little better than what I would have normally bought (read: more expensive..). Must have worked - since the 2 of us drank the 4 person portion and felt fine!

Join us next Monday for Prasselkuchen. This one sounds very yummy and looks easy to make! What can't be good about puff pastry and sugar?!? :-)

Erdbeer-Bowle (Strawberry Bowl) Recipe: (translated by Christina)
Ingredients for 4 portions:
1 kg (35 oz) fresh strawberries
1 bottle light Mosel wine (e.g. Riesling)
1 bottle ice-cold sparkling wine
lemon balm (optional)

Directions:
Wash and clean the strawberries, cut larger berries in half or quarters. Put the fruit in a bowl and pour the Mosel wine over it. Put in refrigerator to cool for 1 hour.
Pour the berries and wine into a pitcher. Add the ice-cold sparkling wine, and if desired, sprinkle with small lemon balm leaves.