Obatzda

Obatzda - also Obatzter, Obazda, Obazde or Obazd'n - is a piquant cheese specialty, which is an integral part of any Bavarian beer garden. This classic beer garden meal comes in countless variations. Some beer gardens are famous for their own creations.

The original Obatzda recipe was created in the Bräustüberl Weihenstephan in Freising by Katharina Eisenreich, who was the innkeeper of the Bräustüberl from 1920 -1958. In the early 1920s she served her morning beer guests a portion of Obatzda, which was immediately successful. Over the years, the Obatzda developed into a true light meal classic and is surely offered at the self-serviced food stall in every real Bavarian beer garden.

Original Obatzda recipe of the Bräustüberl Weihenstephan

For 1 kg Obatzda one needs:

• 1 kg Brie cheese
• 70 g butter
• 150 g cream cheese
• 120 g onions
• 5 g paprika
• 1 pinch of ground cumin
• 1 pinch of salt and pepper
• 10 cl Weihenstephaner Vitus Weizenbock or Weihenstephaner Weißbier (wheat beer)

Process the Brie to a mass (possibly use a meat grinder). Add butter, cream cheese, chopped onions and paprika. Season with cumin, salt and pepper.

Serving suggestion: Place the Obatzda with an ice cream scoop on a breadboard. Garnish with red onion, chives, lettuce and/or pretzel sticks.