Dutch cuisine

The cuisine of the Netherlands can hardly be called exquisite. After all, it consists of simple and hearty dishes. Meanwhile, it has its own zest – delicious fish and seafood delicacies. It is for the sake of them and delicious Dutch cheeses that many go to the Netherlands.

By the way, some people mistakenly identify the Netherlands with Holland. But only 2 of the 12 provinces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are called Holland. This is North and South Holland.

There is not so much information about the history of Dutch cuisine. It is known that it was originally based on agricultural products that were grown here in abundance. First of all, these are grains, vegetables and fruits. Along with them, meat and dairy products were widely used in cooking.

Over time, the culinary traditions of immigrants began to influence the formation of the cuisine of the Netherlands. In addition, Indonesian cuisine, as well as the country’s rich colonial past, has left its mark on it. Since the 16th century, various spices, tea and coffee have been brought here from India, and new dishes have been borrowed from Indonesia. Among them is rice with chicken or pork.

Few people know that you can learn more about the culinary preferences of those times thanks to the masterpieces of painting by Dutch artists of the 17th century. They feature delectable seafood and exotic fruit dishes, as well as breads, pies, nuts, cheeses and wines. Meanwhile, such gastronomic splendor was available only to wealthy people. The poor Dutch were limited to pea stew and rye bread.

Much has changed since then. The standard of living in the Netherlands has become one of the highest in the world. But the cuisine has remained the same simple and traditional. However, it began to highlight regional features.

The northeast of the country is closely engaged in the production of various meat products. Today, almost every town in this region has its own variety of sausages. The West is famous throughout the world for its cheeses such as Gouda, Leiden, Leerdammer, and butter. Various seafood has also gained wide popularity here, among which a real delicacy is light-salted herring. In the south of the country, they love pastries, delicious soups and sauces, as well as unusual stews. It was this region that was able to create “haute cuisine”.

The most popular products for many years in the Netherlands are still vegetables and fruits, fish and seafood, meat and dairy products, legumes and nuts. But one of the most demanded vegetables, since the 18th century, when it was brought to the territory of this country, is potatoes. It is widely used in the preparation of many dishes.

Coffee and tea are popular drinks in the Netherlands. By the way, coffee with milk in this country is called “wrong coffee”, Although it is very popular. In addition, the locals love hot chocolate, soft drinks and milk with anise. And in the Netherlands they know a lot about good alcohol. Beer, Enever, or juniper vodka, liqueurs, etc. are widespread here. But a special place in the entire cuisine of the Netherlands is occupied by pastries and sweets – cakes, mousses, waffles, creams, puddings, sweet sauces and amazing handmade chocolates.

The most popular cooking methods in the Netherlands:

Traditional Dutch cuisine:

Gouda is a light yellow hard cheese with small holes. There are young, medium and mature gouda, depending on the exposure. With age, the cheese acquires a spicy taste, and it comes from the city of the same name of Gouda.

Edam is a pale yellow semi-hard cheese that does not have a pronounced taste and smell. There is a young and mature edam. Ball-shaped heads of cheese are covered with red or yellow paraffin, and more elite ones are covered with black wax.

Leiden cheese is a dark yellow semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk with the addition of various spices (cumin, cloves and others).

Young slightly salted herring. She can be confidently called the culinary brand of this country, with which she subsequently introduced the whole world. It is most often served with pickles and onions. And they arrange real festivities, balls and auctions in honor of this product. It is customary to eat herring on them in a special way – holding her by the tail. These holidays fall in June, when the “herring season” begins in the country. Simply put, when it comes to the shores of the country. At the same time, the first caught barrel is sent to prepare dishes for the royal table, and all the rest are sent to places of mass sale.

Pofferches – pancakes with buckwheat flour. The dish is considered street food and is sold on every corner. And for its preparation, they use a special frying pan with small identical indentations.

Bitter balls (Bitterballen) – made from veal or fish, deep-fried and served with mustard.

French fries with sauce (Patatje met).

Stamppot is a mashed potato and vegetable that is usually served with stews or frikandels.

Sate.

Croquettes

Royal oysters.

Fruit pie.

Stropwafli are two thin waffles that are baked with caramel syrup in the middle.

Breakfast cupcake (Ontbijtkoek).

Heineken beer.

Beer Grolsch.

“Wrong coffee” – regular coffee with milk.

Based on materials Super Cool Pics