Eat your way around the world
Serves 2-4 (on a bed of French fries) Stoofvlees is a typical stew in that there are as many variations as there are people making it. Depending where you live in Belgium, Stoofvlees might have more or less vinegar, slightly different spices, and a textural range from soupy to thick and sludgy. My thick, hearty version sits well on fries, but if you want it more "soupy," feel free to add more beef stock. Ingredients: For the marinade 1 pound stew beef, cubed 1 onion, chopped 3 … [Read more...]
Yesterday I mentioned the crazy concept called Dinner in the Sky, so, without further ado, here it is! What do you think? Would you eat dinner at this restaurant? I get vertigo just looking at those videos... and to think you can also do "Wedding in the Sky"!!!... Here, let's settle our stomachs with a little Belgian scenery: Happy Memorial Day Weekend! … [Read more...]
The fries in Belgium, plucked fresh from noisy street vendors, are something special. Each bite begins with the satisfying crunch of a crackling, golden "skin", followed immediately by soft, steamy insides that melt, almost immediately, on the tongue. With just enough oil to help it all slide down, the fries - amazingly - are never greasy. You'll be happy to know that you can experience Belgian-quality fries in you own home. The key is twice-frying the potatoes. Basic Recipe (full … [Read more...]
When I had trouble deciding which dishes to make (big surprise), you guys helped me out on our Facebook page by suggesting I make it all! Yikes! Although I'll be busy, I am happy to oblige... I mean who wouldn't love a menu like this... Vlaamse Asperges (White Asparagus a la Flammande) [Recipe] White asparagus cooked until tender with a chunky sauce made with hard-boiled eggs, butter, lemon juice, and parsley. Baked Belgian Endive with ham & cheese [Recipe] Barely bitter endive, … [Read more...]
In general, Belgian food is a balancing act between the rustic and the exotic. Belgians love most any kind of meat, not limited to chicken, beef, ham, and veal, but including specialties like pate, goose, duck, boar, partridge, and any kind of sausage. Escargots, or snails are also popular, as are mussels, trout, perch, turbot, shrimp, and eel. Even with such an extensive list, many Belgians claim steak and French Fries their most beloved dish. Still others enjoy Stoofvlees (meat stew) with the … [Read more...]
Makes about 1 1/2 quarts Strawberry Kisiel is easy to make and very tasty. The sweet dessert remains light and refreshing. Unless, of course, you serve it over a bowl of vanilla ice cream... which I totally recommend. Ingredients: 1 lb fresh strawberries (or other seasonal berries) 4 cups water 4 Tbsp cornstarch sugar to taste (between 1/2 and 1 cup is about right) Method: 1. Puree strawberries with sugar in a blender or food processor. Pour into a pot and heat over … [Read more...]
Makes 1 large loaf, or 2 small My husband called this "the best rye bread I ever ate." A nice, dense crumb, with a mild rye flavor. The sugar and honey make this loaf wonderfully addictive. Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups warm water 3 tablespoons honey 1 Tbsp sugar 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast 1 3/4 cups rye flour 2 teaspoons salt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 3/4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Optional: caraway seeds (for top of loaf) Method: 1. Place … [Read more...]
Dear readers, Our regularly scheduled programming has been interrupted by severe weather and tornado warnings. I do apologize, but all my brain power has been consumed by "fear of the tornado." My husband claims I have a particularly irrational "fear of the tornado." Irrational? How can my fear of instant, windy death be irrational? I mean look at this: Irrational? No, I don't think so. The method of death might be irrational. But not my fear. Furthermore, I don't call this … [Read more...]
