As part of our language exchange, I invited my two partners, Laura and Lenka, to my place for a cooking afternoon. This time, instead of going out to eat, I wanted to prepare a typical German dish for them. I decided to make Schnitzel with potato wedges and lingonberry jam – a combination that represents traditional German home cooking.
We started by preparing the ingredients together. I explained that a Schnitzel is a thin slice of pork, coated with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and then fried in a pan until golden brown. In Czech, Lenka told us that “Schnitzel” is often called „řízek“, which sounds quite similar! The wedges were baked in the oven with a little salt, pepper, and paprika, and the Preiselbeermarmelade (lingonberry jam) added a sweet and sour flavor that perfectly matched the meat.
While cooking, we talked about different food traditions in Germany and the Czech Republic. Lenka explained that řízek is also a very popular meal in the Czech Republic, especially on weekends or holidays, and it’s often served with potato salad. Laura and I told her that in Germany, Schnitzel is one of the most common dishes in traditional restaurants.
During the meal, we practiced some useful words and expressions in both languages. I learned that “brambory” means “potatoes” in Czech, and “pánev” means “frying pan.” In return, Lenka learned the German words “Paniermehl” (breadcrumbs) and “braten” (to fry or roast). We also practiced short phrases like “Das schmeckt lecker!” (“This tastes delicious!”) and “To je výborné!” (the same in Czech).
The food turned out really well – the Schnitzel was crispy, the wedges nicely seasoned, and the lingonberry jam added a lovely contrast to the savory flavor. We all agreed that cooking together was a great activity to stay inside on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Comments