Smaller gatherings
A normal Dutch birthday party has everyone involved. Since The Netherlands is so small, people can from anywhere to anywhere and return home the same day. I’ve seen people from the north and the far south make it for previous parties. Birthdays are the best time to visit family. The Dutch don’t have holidays like Thanksgiving where entire families gather around a table. So if you take away birthdays, you take away the biggest family event. It’s been rough for some, I can tell you that. But for others, it invites intimate conversations and tighter bonds.

No Kisses
I was shocked about the kisses on the cheek etiquette when I first arrived in The Netherlands. It was interesting and a bit of a novelty for me. But as time went on, it felt so awkward having to give air kisses to people I didn’t know. So I sucked it up and just went with it because it’s part of an old custom. You can say I did breathe a sigh of relief when we had to distance ourselves… No more getting cheek to cheek with strangers!

More expensive cake
The Dutch are super thrifty and from my experience, quantity was more important than quality. Not to say that cakes (tarts) from the local grocer aren’t tasty. They’re super delicious and I would eat them every day if I could. But since we’re just having Sander’s parents over, we decided to splurge and get a more exciting cake. Sander got a few slices of whipped cream cake and apple pie. I was even able to get a slice of Red Velvet cake for myself! Anyone who knows me, knows that I love, love, love red velvet cake. There’s something about the sour flavor of the cake and the cream cheese filling that drives me crazy!

Home deliveries
I used to get so excited around Sander’s birthday. I could venture out into the city and look for a gift for him. Something fun, unique, or something that he’s wanted for a long time. This year.. I drew a blank. Thankfully Sander found something online that he fell in love with. But it’s coming from Japan so he’s going to have to do some waiting!

Fancy Eats
Sander and I love Indian food and we’re lucky enough that we have tasty stuff pretty close by. Normal Dutch birthdays have simple treats, finger foods and cake of course. But with a private party, we could order out and thoroughly enjoy our meal. It’s been a long time since we had Indian food, so it was nice to dig into something familiar. The meal we got had flavors that scream comfort food. It was so accessible to me when I lived in California that I never thought twice about it. But my heritage foods mean more to me than they did in the past. It’s another wonderful reason to celebrate. Because many Dutchies can’t touch spicy food and none of this was spicy!

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Pick your favorites
They say that anyone can cook, and that means that anyone can bake. But don’t pile on the pressure too high! Start simple and start with something you’d die to eat again. For me, I miss American cookies. Cookies are easier for me to make because there’s less clean up. So my first step was to find a cookie recipe that I loved. The perfect texture, the perfect taste… All of these and more contribute to a delicious cookie. I hunted for a few months, trying out several recipes before I found a great one on Joy Food Sunshine.

Note how this recipe is for chocolate chip cookies. But I love how moist and rich these cookies are. And they stay moist for a long time if you keep them covered. So all I did was swap out the ingredients. The cookie base is tasty enough you can eat it on it’s own too. These were the simple things I wanted in the prefect cookies base. It took some effort to discover but it was worth it! The important part of baking is the base, so make sure you can perfect that as you go along. Of course different types of cookies call for different types of things but experimenting can help you develop something unique!

Mix things up
I’ve made several types of cookies with this base to keep things interesting. One week I used chocolate bar chunks which was out of this world. Trust me, if you love sea salt caramel, this recipe is perfect for it. This week I went with white chocolate because I had some left over. If you make the same recipe over and over, you’ll get sick of it. But how else can you practice? If you keep things fresh as you go, it will be easier for you to level up your baking skills and still remain interested. It’s also fun to see how different ingredients change the recipe. My batch of chocolate chip cookies came out so gooey and amazing but a batch of M&M’s cookies ended up super dry!

Keep and open mind
Have you ever had a time when you wanted to make something but you didn’t have all the ingredients? Or maybe you didn’t have enough? Make sure you’re open to improvising! I’ve accidently made some delicious white chocolate and cashew cookies because I bought the wrong type of nuts. Or what if you found a great cookie and just want to bring the flavor to a whole new level? I plan on adding a bit of coffee to my batch the next time I make chocolate chip cookies. I’ve read that coffee brings out the deepness in the flavor of chocolate and I want to try it out! Improving your baking skills can take more than just practicing the same recipe over again. It can also take simple knowledge and experimentation too!

Don’t be scared to move on
As of this week, I’m taking a break from cookies. I made so many and honestly the sugar is no good for me. I’m planning on trying out banana bread this week. I’ve been craving it a lot and I think now is the perfect time to move on to something new! The best way to figure out what you love, is to try a lot of things. But don’t focus on being a jack of all trades. Figure out what works for you and do your best to make it better!

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How it started
I’m always on the hunt for a good deal when it comes to groceries. I mostly shop from the sale section so when I saw that vegetarian “meats” were on sale buy 2 get the 3rd free, you bet I jumped on it. I was hesitant about cooking vegetarian meals at home though. I’m always open to trying new things. I’ve had vegan products in the past but they were… Less than impressive. So I saw this as a new opportunity to give vegetarian meals a try. What worried me was Sander because he’s the picky eater in the house. So I placed the order and waited for delivery. We’ve ordered online for our local grocer since the middle of last year due to quarantine rules.

How it’s going
It’s been nearly 3 months now and we mostly eat vegetarian “meat”. It’s been an amazing experience too. It looks amazing and even smells like the real thing. Not to mention it’s easier to cook and I don’t have to worry about the sanitation that revolves around meat and handling it. The taste and texture is fantastic! Packaging does still use a lot of plastic, which is unfortunate, but we’re consuming much less meat. It’s easier for our stomachs and better for the environment too. The meals require the freezer either, which is a huge plus. We have a small Dutch freezer and space is limited. The “meat” looks realistic, needless to say. If you told me 10 years ago that I would enjoy vegetarian foods, I would have laughed. But the “meat” has come a long way and I’ll continue to buy it for our consumption.

Not 100% there
I doubt that Sander and I would ever go full vegetarian. We both love bacon and huge bowls of chicken ramen. But any step that I can take towards being healthier and more environment friendly… You bet I’m going to explore those options! So far all the vegetarian meats we’ve had have been super delicious. And it turns out that these soy based meats are even cheaper than the real thing! Who would have thought?

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So we placed an order at a local place we hadn’t been to yet. It was an exciting experience and I’d love to do it again. So allow me to share what we did so that you can have a date night too!

Try something new
The restaurant we ordered from specialized in Dutch pancakes but their take out menu was limited. Instead of ordering something simple, we decided to go for something excited. Delivery was free if our order was over €30 so we added in an appetizer and dessert too. It was exciting to think about stepping out of our comfort zones when it come to food. Usually we keep it sweet and simple so that there would be no stress involved. But since this whole experience was something new, why not go all the way? Do be familiar with what you order though! I almost ordered something that I might have not liked. It took Sander’s explanation for me to realize I would have ordered something I would have regretted! I’m still learning Dutch and I still need help sometimes.

Don’t go overboard
Since this would be an “on the couch dinner,” we stayed in our comfortable clothes. But, we did light a candle and brewed a fresh pot of tea. Don’t feel like you need to dress up to share a delicious meal. But heck, if you want to dress up, then do it! Make your own rules but don’t push yourself too far that it becomes a hassle. A date night at home should be fun and freeing for the both of you. In these troubled times it’s especially necessary for us to seek comfort in our loved ones so don’t hesitate to do so.

Set the scene
We opened all the windows and let the fresh spring breeze grace us during our meal. It made us feel like we were eating at an outdoor restaurant! Sometimes it’s the little details that you put into date night that make it memorable. If you can’t open the windows, set up a few candles and dim the lights. You can even take out the food plates if you have them! Turn off the TV and put on the radio for some mood music too. You guys can watch TV anytime during the lockdown, but dinner happens once a say. Take the time to treat it like a real date night and share some words with your loved ones.

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Nothing is more traditional than Erwtensoep. Think of pea soup but even better. It’s got the same savory vegetables but with the added flavor of a mouth watering rookworst (Dutch smoked sausage) added in. That smoked flavor does a number on your taste buds that makes you want seconds! Rookworst is also used in a number of other traditional Dutch meals, like Hutspot and Stamppot.

Thick and Hearty
Erwtensoep is super thick. It’s supposed to stick to the spoon if you turn it upside down. Well that’s not true but you get my point. Sometimes I like to add water to my canned soups. It helps to dilute the intense salt flavor (I don’t use salt when I cook). But Sander straight up told me to not use any water. “It has to be thick!” And I agree. It feels so good going down when it’s raining outside. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been excited for dinner because it was a hot bowl of Erwtensoep. And… It’s thick texture makes it easy to eat with bread. I need to have bread with my soup!

Amazing with Garlic Bread
We often get Dutch garlic bread (kruidenbrood) to pair with our soup. The flavors mesh well together and allows us to feel extra warm and full after our meal. What’s nice about Dutch garlic bread, is that there are so many ways to make it. It comes premade, in a premixed tub, or on bread that just needs a good toasting. It’s a unique staple of a Dutch meal so it deserves a post of it’s own!

To make or not to make
Of course, if you don’t live in The Netherlands, it can be hard to get your hands on Erwtensoep, there are a dozen websites that have a recipes just for you. I think the hardest part is getting your hands on rookworst. A good website I found is from Simone’s Kitchen. She’s got a ton of beautiful Dutch meals including one for Erwtensoep. And of course, if you’re like me and your Dutch cooking vocabulary isn’t too good, we always have good old Google Translate!

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Kaas Wheel
There are hundreds of cheese stores in Amsterdam and they’re hard to miss. Cheese wheels are quite popular among the tourists and it’s easy to see why. It’s delicious! The interesting thing about Dutch cheese, is that they come in a single flavor but are measured by their age. For example, young cheese has a fresh and gentle flavor while old cheese is dense and packs a punch. The cheese from this wheel is so tasty that I’ve been having some for every meal. It’s amazing in an omelette and even with bread and butter!

Black licorice
Black licorice, or dropjes, are a popular Dutch snack. Most of them are too strong for me, but Sander’s dad loves them to bits. In the basket came two different kinds, soft and sweet, and regular strength in coin form. If you’re familiar with American black licorice and want something stronger, I recommend trying some. It’s such a unique flavor and a staple in many Dutch households.

Stroopwafels
These delicious treats are two thin waffle cookies with caramel in between. They’re so popular that everyone knows about them. If you haven’t tried one yet I suggest you have it with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Place the cookie on top to warm it and then dig in!

Pannenkoekenmix
Dutch pancakes are thin, flat, and can come with a number of different foods baked in. Sander’s mom makes them with cheese and ham sometimes… They’re so delicious! We got some premix which just needs some milk added. These containers are convenient because all you do is all the milk, shake, and pour into the pan. It’s been ages since we’ve had some so I’m excited to make them again.

Speculaas koekjes
These Dutch cookies are similar to gingerbread men in taste and texture. They’re amazing to have when theres a cup of tea nearby.. And with the current cold weather we’ve been having we always have at least several cups during the day. It’s hard to stop at just one! And unlike gingerbread men, these cookies are available year round!

Vlokken
I’ve mentioned vlokken in a previous post but that doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing! It’s been ages since we’ve had them in the house. They contain too much sugar to have in the morning but Sander loves them. I enjoyed having them on toast around tea time (2pm) because they’re such an easy snack. It’s perfect for a day where healthy eating is on hold and sinfully delicious foods are in!

Hopjes Koffie Snoep
These are new to me but I recommend them for any coffee lover. It’s a hard candy that tastes like caramel coffee. It’s not too sweet and the coffee flavor isn’t overwhelming. I can see myself enjoying one after lunch or maybe after dinner.

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How to eat
After I had my appelstroop on toast, I was curious to see how others ate it. Apparently it’s perfect paired with cheese and spread into small rolls. I had neither of these items so I went head first and spread it onto wheat bread.

Texture
Appelstroop, or apple butter, is a mixture of apple sauce, cider, and other spices that are caramelized together. It’s has a thick texture that resembles molasses and can be spread on bread or pancakes. I was able to slice it with a butter knife and apply it like butter. It’s also comparable to smooth jam. Appelstroop is easy to spread and hold together nicely. Which means won’t liquify if you add it to warm bread.

Scent
It has a nondescript jam smell to it. I can’t place what sort of jam it is, but I think if you think of generic jam… This is the scent. It’s not sweet or sour though, just fruity.

Taste
I went into this expecting a sickly sweet apple flavor but I was so wrong! The flavor is similar to that of a tart apple. It’s got nip and bite, and can even be called a bit sour. It took a few bites for my tongue to adjust to it but it was a shock! I was expecting apple flavor to the max but all I could taste was the tart. It was still good though and I enjoyed it. I was a bit tempted to add some sugar to it but in the end I left it as it was.

To eat or not to eat
If you enjoy sweet jams, I recommend you steer clear of Appelstroop because the sour flavor might turn you off. However if sour apple appeals to you, go for it! It was still delicious enough that I’ll continue to eat it but I do want to try it with buttered toast. I’m going to put it on my pancakes too and see how it does. The recipe I use for pancakes allows them to be quite sweet without syrup so I think it will be a good pair.

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When I moved to The Netherlands, I was sure I would never eat traditional South Indian food again. I mean, the flavors are so strong and command attention. Sander doesn’t even enjoy black pepper.

So when I stumbled upon the a restaurant in a neighboring city, I jumped at the chance to eat Indian food again. Himalaya Palace has photos of their foods on their website so I got excited. So we placed a take out order and hoped for the best. Oh my gosh, it was the best.

So when Valentine’s Day rolled around again, we made a reservation for the 16th to avoid the crowds. Let me tell you, we walked away stuffed like turkeys! We opened the meal with drinks and I opted for Mango Lassi. I had grown up with the delicious yogurt drink and wanted to taste that flavor again. This was creamy, thick, and so delicious that I wanted to order a 2nd! We ordered our meals after that. We got papadum on the house with some delicious sides. After that we dug into vegetarian samosas that were to die for. Our main dish was a double order of Chicken Tikka Tandoori. Oh my gosh I was in heaven. Sander enjoyed it so much he finished everything on his plate!

Himalaya Palace has all the flavors I had hoped for and more. The best thing about the dishes, was that Sander could actually eat them! The first time around I ordered the vegetable biryani but that was too spicy for him. The Chicken Tikka Tandoori comes with white rice and a vegetable curry that made our mouths water.

The prices are a bit on the high side for us, so Himalaya Palace will be our go to for special occasions. It’s got amazing food though, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Indian food!

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When it comes to what the Dutch groceries sell, the selection is vast but lacking. Many cookies are the same simple vanilla flavors with sugar on top. We have a small selection of import baked goods but the prices are too high and the flavors are limited to chocolate based. I know, first world problems. But I think it’s interesting to compare to what America has to offer.

Our local bakery sells two types of cookies: Chocolate Chip and American.

What exactly is an American cookie? Well it’s White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut. Which strikes me as funny. I always figured that the iconic American cookie was the Chocolate Chip.

Now, my favorite cookie is White Chocolate Macadamia so I don’t mind but… the flavors were a bit lacking. I’ve always found that the Dutch versions of my favorite foods are always missing something. I don’t know too much about cooking or baking but I’m eager to learn more. And that missing flavor is something I can never pin point either. It’s simply that the flavors aren’t right.

It’s the worst with Red Velvet cake. In The Netherlands, a Red Velvet is a vanilla cake colored red. Chocolate, buttermilk and vinegar have always used in my favorite recipes. It’s what gives that unique Red Velvet flavor that pairs so damn well with cream cheese frosting.

So when I have a craving for anything I can’t get locally, I turn to making them myself. And it’s been an interesting adventure. I’ve never tried the Dutch versions though. That’s mainly because the recipes are in Dutch. My family also found the taste a bit off. It’s fascinating to talk about and I love sharing my thoughts about it. It’s similar to how American Chinese food appeals to an American taste palate. I would assume that it’s the same for the food here.

I’m content with making my own American treats. There’s that wonderful satisfaction of pulling a batch of freshly made cookies out of the oven. The recipe I used came from Sally’s Baking Addiction and I recommend everyone try it. I made so many cookies that I could share some with friends and family. Oh man they were amazing! I can’t wait to try them again. The only sad part is that a container for the nuts costs €5! Talk about fancy eating!

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Our go to place is on the outskirts of the Red Light district, at underground level, but don’t let that fool you. Ramen-ya is home to some of the most delicious hakata ramen we’ve ever had. Hataka refers to the type of noodles handmade in the restaurant. They’re straight, firm, and thin and please our deepest cravings.

The interior is beautiful and simple with earthy woods and black accents to call you in. The place is busy at all hours of the day but the service is quick every visit.

But wait.

What is ramen exactly? If you look past the cheap grocery store noodles, ramen has a deep and beautiful history. Originally from China, the Japanese adopted wheat noodles and broth soup into their own culture. Ramen takes hours from start to finish but what we order here is a masterpiece.

Ramen-ya features two types of broth base, soy or salt. The most common meat included is pork but we order the chicken in the soy based broth. Our go to meal is the Sesame Chicken with a side order of Karaage.

Karaage is a double deep fried (extra crispy exterior) chicken made with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. I’ve made it at home before and it’s super easy to throw together. What makes Ramen-ya’s Karaage special is the dipping sauce they provide. The chicken is out of this world alone but add the sauce in and you might die. It’s a gentle garlic and mayo combo with a hint of something I just can’t place…

And onto the main order, the ramen. The bowls are gigantic. We’ve yet to finish one. If the noodles, boiled egg (marinated in soy sauce) mushrooms and hearty helping of meat don’t fill you up then the soup will. I like mine a bit spicy so I always add in some chili. The broth is creamy and delicate. It’s a little salty for me but I never add salt to our home meals. The pieces of chicken are soft breast pieces have a slender cut to allow the broth to penetrate the meat. The mushrooms are well cooked and not rubbery. The egg is soft boiled to perfection and still holds onto that salty soy flavor. The entire meal is something that is a must try for anyone who loves Japanese food.

It will not disappoint! One of these days we’ll get the courage to try it but for now we’re content with that savory chicken flavor we’ve grown to love.

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