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Belgium is the nation of Gourmands rather than Gourmets which translates into big cuisine rather than fine cuisine. In reality this means that along with big portions, you get pretty good quality and a kind of unpretentiousness. The word Gourmandise originally meant gluttony, but like in France it has taken over the above meaning. It is often said Belgium serves food with the quantity of Germany and the quality of France.
"French" fries, which the Belgians invented, are very popular. They are called frieten in Flemish or frites in French. The best place to enjoy Belgian frites is at a frituur (friterie in French or informally frietkot in Flemish) which is a temporary construction usually strategically placed in busy squares.
Typical dishes include
- Mosselen-Friet/Moules Frites or mussels and chips.
- Konijn in Geuze or Lapin à la Gueuze. Rabbit in Geuze, which is a spontaneously fermented, sour beer from the area around Brussels.
- Stoemp, or potato mashed with other vegetables, often served with sausage.
- Salade Liégeoise, (Luikse sla) a salad with green beans, pieces of bacon, onions and vinegar, associated with Liège.
- Vlaamse stoofkarbonaden (Carbonnades Flamandes) or Flemish beef stew, similar to the French Beef Bourguignon but made with beer instead of red wine.
- Waterzooi, a mild casserole of chicken (or occasionally fish) in cream, associated with Ghent.
- Paling In 't Groen (Anguilles au vert). Eels in a green sauce of mixed herbs.
- Gegratineerd witloof/Chicons au Gratin, Belgian endives baked in a cheese béchamel.
- Slices of rustic bread (boterhammen/tartines) and an uncovered spread, often pâté or soft cheese, served on a board and eaten with knife and fork. A typical variety is boterhammen met platte kaas en radijsjes, quark with sliced radishes on such bread.
- The Ardennes is notable for Charcuterie, or cold meat products, particularly paté, which may be made of game such as wild boar.
- Waffles, sometimes eaten as a street snack.
- Chocolate, particularly pralines (filled chocolates).
Another Belgian speciality is beer. Although a comparatively small country, there are a large number of beers available in a range of different styles. Almost every different beer has its own unique drinking vessel, usually a glass of some description. Several home and restaurant dishes use typical Belgian beers.
See also
- Belgian beer
- Chocolatier Neuhaus
- Chicons
- Pommes frites
- Leonidas Chocolatier
- Mussels
- Pierre Wynants - chef
- Stoemp
- Waffle
- Waterzooi
- Friterie
External links
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