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Handkäse mit Musik is a German dish originating from Hesse. It consists of hand-formed handkäse (sour milk cheese) that's topped with raw onion vinaigrette. The onion marinade stands for music (Musik) from the name, which comes in the form of flatulence caused by consuming raw onions.
However, the real reason why it has music in its name is because in the past, the onions were served on the side, while vinegar and oil were served in tiny jars that made music while the servers carried them on a plate. The dish is often served only with a knife, and it's typically accompanied by bread, caraway seeds, and apfelwein (apple cider) on the side.
Described as a simple, paprika-spiced cheese spread, liptauer is one of the classic dishes that usually consists of different type of fresh or cream cheeses, blended with ground paprika and a variety of fresh herbs and spices. Even though there has been a long dispute over the true origin of this classic Central European spread, its name certainly derives from the German term used for the Slovak Liptov region.
Due to its presence in traditional Hungarian and Austrian cuisine, it is believed to have been created during the period of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Today, it appears in numerous variations throughout many European countries, and it is usually enjoyed as a dip, a spread, or a creamy, spicy accompaniment to grilled meat.
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Štrukli are a traditional Croatian delicacy that hails from the Zagorje region. In addition to the more common baked štrukli, this cooked variety starts with a similar preparation in which the dough is thinly rolled, then filled with a mixture of whipped butter, eggs, fresh cheese, sour cream, and salt.
Traditionally, the dough is rolled with the help of a tablecloth, and the rolls are then cut with the rim of a plate into smaller pieces that are cooked in water. Though they can be served in a variety of ways, cooked štrukli are traditionally topped with a combination of butter and breadcrumbs.
A classic Poznań specialty, pyry z gzikiem is a simple potato and cheese dish. It consists of boiled or baked potatoes accompanied by a mixture of cottage cheese, cream, and onions. The potatoes are served whole or cut in half, typically in their jackets, with the cottage cheese dip either on top or on the side.
Finely chopped chives can be added to the cheese filling or used as a garnish, while the cream can be replaced with milk, kefir, or buttermilk. The gzik mixture is usually flavored with dill and cumin, and it can also be served with crackers or sandwiches.
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Fried cheese is a traditional specialty that is mainly enjoyed as the main course. It is prepared with a thick block of cheese, usually the semi-hard Trappist, which is breaded and fried until golden and crispy. Although simple, the dish results in an excellent combination of partially melted cheese and a thick, crunchy coating.
This common restaurant dish is traditionally served alongside French fries, rice, salads, and various condiments such as mayonnaise, sour cream, or tartar – a refreshing combination of yogurt and mayonnaise.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “5 Worst Rated Central European Cheese Dishes” list until February 16, 2025, 1,856 ratings were recorded, of which 1,467 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.