One thing you'll definitely need to produce authentic German food is a metal meat hammer. Schnitzels are an important part of German cuisine, and they consist of thickly breaded meat cutlets that are pounded thin to help make them more tender.

What do you drink with German food? A good German beer is always a good choice. Few cultures have developed the art brewing quite as extensively as the Germans. Along with traditional barley beers like Pilsners and lagers, the Germans also offer heady, sweet wheat beers.

If you'd prefer to avoid drinking too much alcohol while eating your German food, try the beverage known as alsterwasser. While beer is a main ingredient, it's diluted with either Sprite or lemonade. It's a light, refreshing alternative to beer, great for summer drinking.