Dutch Yummies

   So, I know I promised a post about something historical and Savanny, but I got busy with things. Things that distract me from writing, things like work, a sick kitty and......the WORLD CUP.
   I do get ridiculously excited for the World Cup, and tend to go into a minor funk when it is over. The emotions involved watching the games can be a bit overwhelming, and I do dislike watching teams get eliminated. The looks on their faces when it is over is sobering. It's like, "Yay! That team won!", then, "oh, but look how sad that other team is". Because it's another four years before they have another chance. So it's kind of a big deal.
    Watching the fans from around the world is part of the fun. They get INTO it. To be part of such a huge international event must be an absolute hoot. So in honor of this World Cup, I will write about things that are....international. Namely food, since I do love to chow. Don't judge me ;)

   I think today it will be about Dutch yummies, ja. While it isn't haute cuisine from France, a lot of it sounds awfully delicious. Things like bitterbollen. Chopped beef, broth, herbs and spices breaded and fried. So fried meatballs, which are typically served with mustard. Sounds good to me. I think and awesome accompaniment to these fried balls of goodness would be some Patat
, which is basically fries or chips served with mayonnaise. Now, I eat my fries with mayo, so I have absolutely no problem with this at all. But wait! There is more than one kind of Patat! Pataje Oorlog is fries with a peanut sate sauce, mayo and onions. Patat Speciaal is fries with curry ketchup, mayo and onions. WHAT??? Sounds like a thing of absolute beauty to me. But I think the real winner would have to Frikandel Speciaal, which is a glorious combination Pata Speciaal ON Frikandel sausage. I am drooling over here.
    If you want to lighten things up a bit, you could make a Stamppot. Basically mashed potatoes with kale or carrots or any veggies

and traditionally served with rockworst, which is a smoked sausage. Hey, at least it isn't fried.
    The Dutch are a seafaring nation, so of course there will be seafood. Hollandse Niewe Haring is a traditional dish, and it is herring that is only caught between May and July. The freshly caught herring is gutted on board; the pancreas is left in the fish, and those enzymes do the preserving. Since the pancreatic enzymes are used, less salt is used in the preservation. So if you are on a low sodium diet, this perfect for you. So it's raw herring that is served with onions and sometimes bread. If you have ever had a raw oyster, and this sounds gross to you, then you should be slapped. That is all I will say.
   Now I cannot get raw herring, but I can get pickled herring and you KNOW I will be eating my weight in that on Saturday. I will definitely be trying out some recipes from here http://www.holland.com/us/tourism/interests/food-drinks/dutch-recipes.htm  Ga Nederlands!!!








      Smakelijk!
         Babette






































































































                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

L'histoire

Bringing back the blog! I think I'll go the historical route, but I can guarantee that something wildly different will be thrown in:)
Went to the visitor's center today. I lurrrrrve that place! It inspired me to find out as much as I can about the Siege of Savannah during the Revolution. I love researching!!! Wish me luck!