I’ve been finding amazing things on the “Geheugen van Nederland” (Memory of the Netherlands). Their collection of stamps in itself is noteworthy. Hi-res scans of original art and more.
Here are a few I chose for the crypt.
We’re excited to announce that Foodcrypt will be setting up its first ever street food stall! We’re going to be joining several other cooks, brewers, and food people at the second annual Nite Market in Chicago. You might remember our post documenting some of the first Nite Market back in June.
Foodcrypt (Sam and Chris) will be out in our home made food stand/stall/window/thing frying up amazing “Oliebollen”. Oliebollen are Dutch doughnuts that are traditionally served on New Years, but become available from food trucks (often called “gebakraams”, or “bakery windows”) as soon as the weather gets cold. The doughnuts are much like beignets but are crispier and filled with bits of minced apple, currants, raisins and lemon zest. If that doesn’t convince you to come out, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.
Come join us and the other unlicensed vendors for a chance to try food from folks who otherwise wouldn’t have a venue to share their cooking with the public*.
*Technically, you need to RSVP – totally free – on the Nite Market site.
My uncle Kees is one of my biggest inspirations. He is an excellent cook and a talented maker (and always the best dressed). I shared the no-knead bread concept with him back in April when I was visiting the Netherlands. He just sent me these two photos of his results. The olive tomato loaf looks amazing. Also, check out that amazing chair he made for my cousin. Scrapwood in the Piet Hein Eek style.
I recently took a trip to the Netherlands to see my family. I had not met my newest nephew, Jacob, yet – so I had to go. Plus, it was Koninginnedag (“Queensday” ) the weekend I arrived. It’s basically my idea of the perfect holiday: city wide sidewalk sales, street food, drinking in the afternoon (or morning), fresh squeezed orange juice on every block, and all around good cheer.
I love Amsterdam more and more every time I go back. Past the circus of tourists (which really isn’t that bad…just a handful of “confused” tourists) there’s a not-so-huge city that carries on at a pretty relaxed pace. And of course, there’s the snackshop food (patat, croquettes, etc), the new crop of Dutch micro/home breweries, smart restaurants and great markets. Coming back to Chicago was tough.
Beers on Queen's night
Cameron having his "Brinta", the ubiquitous kid food – kind of like oatmeal
Yard sale paradise. Used book shopping in the Nine Streets neighborhood.
Cured ham and melon. I don't know how Dutch this is, but I always forget how good it is.
"Koffie verkeerd" and an almond filled cookie at the Koffie Salon.
Koffie verkeerd, or “coffee made wrong” is essentially the Dutch version of a cafe o’lait. It’s called that because if you accidently pour too much milk in someone’s coffee, you’ve made the coffee wrong. Like a cafe o’lait but with no foam – at least, that’s what “wrong coffee” should be. The irony is that these days Wrong Coffee is made wrong. Most places don’t take the time to make fresh filter coffee (in a Melitta cone) – it’s basically a lazy cappucino. This place, Koffie Salon makes a delicious and beautiful wrong “wrong coffee”. Always served in a glass – not a cup.
Balthazaar's Keuken
Razor clams with sea beans and cod (i think)
Going out to eat isn’t nearly as popular as it is in the states. For our family it’s always been reserved for special occasions. Because my sister and her husband are moving to Scotland in a few weeks, we went out for dinner at her favorite place, Balthazaar’s Keuken, in the Jordaan neighborhood. The restaurant (Balthazar’s Kitchen, in English) is a small, narrow, dimly lit room – really just a kitchen – with about 8 tables. It’s a set menu with a choice of meat or seafood. We ordered a bit of both. I honestly don’t remember exactly what we had (pureed beets with goat cheese and mackerel come to mind) but it was one of my favorite meals to date.
Our tiny table for 3 in the kitchen.
Snackshop picnic in Eindhoven. Bitter balls, fries with peanut sauce and mayo. Can't beat it.
Eet smakelijk!
Enjoy your meal!
