Hahn im Korb

The exact literal translation of the title is "Chicken in a Basket", but Hahn im Korb in everyday talk means a poor male soul in a hen house full of ...... hens! A bit like this fella.It can thus be an expression of jealously or fear depending on the circumstances.

In this case, it is the trading name for a business of about 100 mobile vans selling grilled chicken and grilled knuckle of pork throughout southern Germany and can be seen at around 600 fixed points on various days plus at many outdoor events. I think Ottobeuren is Tuesdays about 100 metres from the Basilica carpark opposite the hospital. I think half a chicken costs around €4.00, chips extra.

Founded in 1986 in Bavaria, the brand is the leading such business in southern Germany. It sells primarily the two products that are referred to by their Bavaria names:

Hend'l -  meaning chicken and otherwise referred to in Germany as  Brathähnchen, Brathendl, Brathuhn, Broiler, Grillhähnchen or even Gummiadler (Rubber Eagle).
Hax'n - meaning Pork Knuckle or grilled version of Eisbein. Known otherwise in German as Hachse, Haxe, Haxn, Schweinshaxn, Knöchla and also in Frankonian Bavaria as Adlerhaxe (Eagle's Leg).

The latter is a favourite of Nogbad. This may have been when he last ate a real one though he doesn't specify it he's worried his GP reads his Blips. That was almost exactly a year ago. Wish he could get over again soon now to relive it. But he's got a culinary mission to fulfil in the UK and I think about that task he is doing daily. Here a picture of me taken by Nigel, after I had destroyed a Hax'n.

In fact, it was chickens that were the reason for Nogbad and I being together in Munich back in 1989/90. The famous and infamous restaurant chain "Wienerwald" bought by our UK company Grand Metropolitan in December 1988.

It was also not long after the "Roots" TV serialwhere one of the main characters was "Chicken George". Yes, that indeed became my nickname at work!

So it's not surprising we keep chickens at home but only for their eggs. Angie had disappeared to her "hometown of Olching to visit parents. Seemingly I was not invited but when she returned in the evening she handed me the Bavarian White-Blue (never ever Blue-White) plastic bag with the Hahn im Korb half a grilled chicken which her father sent along as a present for me. It's was still warm and very juicy. In the old days, the paper bags were coated inside with aluminium to hold the juices. Nowadays it's some form of wax coating. That at least is a positive.

Hahn im Korb claims their chickens (female) are 100% born, raised, slaughtered in Germany and receive no antibiotics. There is, however, no mention of "organic".

Strangely, for the Oktoberfest in Munich, only male chickens are used. Unbelievable though they and I think the majority of grilled chickens are only 6 weeks old. A hen doesn't start laying eggs until 21 weeks. Our hens at six weeks are no more than fluffy chicks that still fit on your hand.

I have to say they taste good especially with a litre of cool beer but it's with a heavy heart!

Thanks, Sepp.