Classic German Cooking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites, from Semmelknödel to Sauerbraten

A collection of more than 100 of the best, most emblematic recipes of German and Austrian home cooks, from the author of Classic German Baking.

To many, German food is humble comfort food, the kind of food that may not win a beauty award, but more than makes up for it with its power to soothe, nourish and cheer. In Classic German Cooking, Luisa Weiss—who was born in Berlin to an Italian mother and American father, and married into a family with roots in Saxony—has collected and mastered the essential everyday recipes of Germany and Austria. 

Classic German Cooking features traditional and time-honored recipes that are beloved in homes across the region, such as Rinderrouladen (Braised Beef Rolls), Quarkauflauf (Fresh Cheese Soufflé), Hühnerfrikassee (Chicken Fricassee) and authentic Viennese Gulasch or Alpine Germknödel (Plum Butter-Stuffed Steamed Dumplings). Cozy Apfelküchle (Apple Fritters) bring warmth to an afternoon snack, while tangy Spargelsalat (White Asparagus Salad) signals the sweet start of Spring.

Luisa gives history and context to the cooking of Germany and its influences worldwide. Sprinkled with both personal stories and historical insights, Classic German Cooking will leave you with a well-rounded understanding of the cuisine and its lasting influence.

Luisa Weiss is an Italian and American food writer based in Berlin, Germany. She is the creator of The Wednesday Chef blog and author of the critically acclaimed memoir, My Berlin Kitchen, and baking book, Classic German Baking. She grew up in Berlin and Boston and graduated from Tufts University with degrees in English and French literature. She spent a decade working in book publishing in New York and was Harper’s BAZAAR Germany’s food columnist for four years.