Papa's strawberry pancakes, to which he added whipped cream.
Thus begins Ariana's love affair with the traditional Dutch croquette which is comprised of either chopped beef or chicken stirred into a thick seasoned sauce and then allowed to cool. The mixture is molded into shape, dipped into beaten egg and rolled in bread crumbs, and then deep fried until golden brown. This she asks for every day ... in restaurants, at street carts and even out of the wall! (A term Gordon started using as a child when his father would take him for a treat to the automat, which is a wall of self-serve ovens containing hot snacks.)
As we had a lovely, fully equipped kitchen in our apartment, we cooked and ate most of our breakfasts and dinners there. We shopped for fresh vegetables and fruit at outdoor market stalls, of which there are many. Daily we bought the most delicious strawberries and raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. For meat, milk and eggs we usually went to the Albert Hejn, a local supermarket which was a five minute walk from our apartment. There was also a gorgeous bakery just down the street.
Ariana loved the Dutch hot chocolate! Here she enjoys it in a special cup at an outdoor cafe near the Rembrandt museum. As always it is served with whipped cream, and this time also with a chocolate filled waffle stick. Nana and Papa share a slice of our favourite appel coek (apple cake), also with whipped cream. I think Dutch people must bleed whipped cream!
French Fries called Frites are a popular street food. We eat them out of paper cones, perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, soft on the inside. In Holland they are traditionally served with mayonnaise.
Lunch is the meal we have out every day, and often we buy fresh bread or buns and pair them with the most gorgeous array of cheeses I have ever seen or tasted. We sample wonderful street food; garlic sausage dogs, croissants filled with melting cheese and mushrooms.
An array of fresh breads and buns boasting an assortment of savoury fillings.
Ariana inspects her ham filled bun because she is worried that it may contain a few surprizes ... like Dutch mustard or raw onion. (Of course it's Papa's teasing that caused the apprehension in the first place!) There are no nasties, and she eats every bite.
A strawberry sandwich, anyone?
Or how about some picked herring?
Although pickled herring is supposed to be eaten as the poster shown below demonstrates. Only Papa is brave enough to try it!
Papa and Nana loved the traditional Uitsmijer, an openface sandwich consisting of a layer of bread, spec (ham) and cheese with fried eggs on the top. Ariana, not so much!
As you can see, we certainly didn't go hungry during our holiday ... and I haven't even written about the chocolate or the cakes or the stroopwaffels ... yet!
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