BREWED February 2015 | Page 24

Foreign impression on Dutch food w When I came to Holland in August my knowledge of Dutch food was let’s say limited. In fact it would be better to say I didn’t know anything, because it really doesn’t count that I knew Gouda (cheese), stroopwafels and bitterballen. First thing what realized was that these people understand the meaning of a good selection of condiments and bread toppings, and that is more than a good thing. Within these few months I have tried things that are good, some things that I’m truly going to miss when I’m gone and some things that just don’t make any sense. Awesome stuff: kroket,bitterballen, kaas-souffle, vlaai, olliebollen, Good stuff: Snert, stamppot, ontbijtkoek, stroopwafel Weirdbu good: kokos-brood and griesmeelbudding Too weird: sprinkles or chocolate chips on top of bread, butter on top of cake, pickled herring and raw onion Holland is not the leading culinary country of the world. So I can’t brag about having dinner in Holland. Does that really matter? To me the answer is no, because food that I eat made feel at home and that is the most important thing when you foreign and away from home. Words by Tia Suomi, Looks by Tia Suomi 24