es ist gut!

Altes Brot ist nicht hart, kein Brot, das ist hart. 
                                                             - German proverb
(Translation: Old bread isn't hard, no bread, that is hard.)


Some of the best things in life are really simple. When I think of food that's quick, easy and satisfying, it's often something I grew up on. One example: rinderwurst and corn bread. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've eaten this meal at my grandparents' house.

this is the stuff!

My grandpa, a full-blooded German, introduced me to rinderwurst. It's a German-Iowan product made from ground beef, oatmeal, and spices, and, similar to sausage, is sold in both ring and block form. I've heard of different people cooking it different ways, but in my grandpa's kitchen, a block of rinderwurst is sliced and fried as patties. And it's always served with corn bread and sorghum! 

block of rinderwurst...

...sliced and on the griddle...

...smashed into patties and browned...

...and perfect golden corn bread.

I realised not too long ago that I had never made this at home, and that there was no good reason not to. I called my grandpa to ask him where he buys his rinderwurst and was told to go to 'the grocery store in Denver.' With no further specifics, I decided one Saturday to hop in my car and go exploring. Twenty minutes later I was coasting down the main drag in Denver and, sure enough, saw a grocery store. I went to the deli counter and asked the butcher if he had any rinderwurst. I kid you not, the old man walked out from behind the meat case and patted me on the shoulder before pointing me to the stuff. It occurred to me that I'm probably one of few, if any, younger people to ask for rinderwurst (I know most of my friends have never even heard of it) - which is made locally and, as is even printed on the label, to an 'Old German Recipe.' It was one of those moments when the beauty of heritage just hits you. 

I like it. =]