written in my kitchen

Champagne

Champagne

WEALTH WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: Some serious wines are named in this piece. We are not rich, but we do spend quite a lot of time in the champagne region and visit lots of champagne growers, particularly the smaller but highly prestigious ones. Even buying direct from...
Andijviestamppot

Andijviestamppot

Andijviestamppot Curly endive (otherwise known as frisée) is used in the Netherlands to make a traditional winter dish called andijviestamppot. The contrast between the slight bitterness edge of the leaves and the creamy richness of the potatoes works well. Many...
Stamppotten met Rookworst

Stamppotten met Rookworst

Stamppotten met Rookworst Kale has always been a staple ingredient in the Dutch winter kitchen, where it’s known as boerenkool, or “farmer’s cabbage”. Even so it is a seasonal vegetable and will only be available in the Netherlands during the...
Dinner in Den Bosch

Dinner in Den Bosch

It is a good few years since we were last in The Netherlands. Though we love the country and the people, the food was rubbish then and not a lot has changed since. (Perhaps that is a little harsh and I do admit to being fairly partial to street food – mussels,...
Vide Greniers

Vide Greniers

All manner of eccentric life passes by as one sits snacking on a sandwich jambon and a glass of wine at the French equivalent of a car boot sale.This is the ubiquitous vide grenier, something found all over the country, otherwise known as a brocante, marché aux...