Maultaschen is one of the distinguishingly traditional foods that is regarded to be the region's dish par excellence.
In the article below, you will come to know about one of the most amazing dishes in Germany that is Maultaschen. The article will guide you through its history and give a few recipes (making the content globally appealing):
🥟 Maultaschen: The German “cheating pillows” that captivated Stuttgart and the world
🌍 Overview: The Tasty Heart of Swabia
Stuttgart, the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg, not only houses some of the most famous luxury car manufacturers in the world, but also the very essence of the German region of Swabia, Traditional Swabian cuisine is the zenith of frugal and delectable cooking, where simple ingredients are transformed into hearty plates.
Among all these culinary delights the Maultaschen are the most prominent and widely accepted main dish, in fact, they have almost become a part of daily life in Stuttgart.
📜 The Story of the "Cheating Pillows"
The word Maultaschen has a very special source, which reveals the case's uniqueness and hence the dish's reason for being so exclusive:
Maultaschen are usually large, their size being the distinguishing point, square pockets of pasta filled with a lavish mix of minced meat, spinach, onions, seasoned dried bread, herbs, and spices.
However, what is the reason for the name "cheating pillows"? According to a legend, the dish was an invention of monks at Maulbronn Abbey during the period of Lent. As Lent prohibited the consumption of meat, the monks mixed spinach and herbs with minced meat, and concealed it inside the pasta to "cheat God" and thus have meat without breaking the fast openly!
Thus, multachen has the nickname Herrgottsbscheißerle i.e. "little things to trick the Lord" sometimes.
🍴 Main Ways to Serve Multachen
Multachen is a versatile dish and is served in three popular ways in traditional Stuttgart restaurants:
1. Multachen in Soup (In der Brühe)
Description: Multachen is cooked in a clear, rich beef broth; served hot as a warm, comforting soup.
Flavor: Emphasis is mainly on the flavor of the broth and the herbs in the filling.
2. Fried Multachen (Geröstet)
Description: Slice or dice multachen and fry it in butter along with caramelized onions until golden brown and crispy.
Serving: Often served with a light Swabian potato salad - Kartoffelsalat - or with a fried egg.
3. Mäultaschen with Cheese and Onions (Käsespätzle Art)
Description: Cooked in a little butter, then smothered in a generous layer of grated cheese and browned with the addition of crispy fried onions. This method is less common but delicious and innovative.
Chef's Tip for an Authentic Dish
But the secret to Maultaschen is not just the filling; it is also the dough. The pasta dough should be soft, melting in the mouth, yet firm enough to hold the generous filling without tearing.
Exclusive Tip: Traditional Stuttgart chefs often add a little milk-soaked stale bread to the meat and spinach filling. With this ingredient, the filling will be perfectly tender and moist after cooking.
Conclusion: Mäultaschen Worth Trying Around the World
If you are in search of the real Stuttgart food experience, Mäultaschen is where to start your search. It's much more than just a dish; it's Swabian history encased in pasta dough.