The Dutch cuisine
Discover the Dutch cuisine and traditional recipes
Amsterdam, March 19, 2024. Written by: Kamar Marouan
Each country has its traditional dishes; the Netherlands is of course no different. While stroopwafels are beginning to make their way onto the international market, most other meals are not commonly found in other countries, but that doesn’t make them any less delicious. It’s not just about Dutch food, but also about meals that are prepared in a very Dutch way.
Dutch snacks
Stroopwafels
If you prefer sweet snacks, then you must try a stroopwafel. They are two waffles with a sweet syrup filling in between. You can actually buy this treat anywhere, for example in supermarkets. Fresh from the baker or market, they are the tastiest. Delicious with a cup of coffee or tea.
Herring
Herring is a salty fish that the Dutch like to eat. Herring tastes best when you get it fresh from the market with onions and a sour pickle, like gherkin. It’s also often eaten on a bun or ‘from the fist’ (by hand and without using a knife and fork) and is definitely a Dutch favorite.
Liquorice (drop)
People either love it, or they hate it! Liquorice is a real Dutch candy that might taste a bit strange to some. It can be salty or sweet, and comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Recipes
Boerenkool (kale) with Smoked Sausage
Boerenkool with sausage is a real Dutch classic. A warm winter dish that is easy to make. For an extra delicious result, you can eat it with applesauce.
Ingredients:
For this recipe, you’ll need a masher.
300 grams of sliced kale
A tablespoon of milk
500 grams of floury potatoes
1 large smoked sausage
20 grams of butter
1 teaspoon of mustard
30 grams of cream butter
30 grams of flour
2 beef bouillon cubes
Pepper and salt
If desired: nutmeg
Follow these steps:
- Boil water in a large pot and add a pinch of salt.
- Peel and cut the potatoes into even sizes and add them to the water.
- Add the kale to the water and potatoes and let it float on top of the potatoes.
- Put a lid on the pot and let the potatoes and kale cook for 20 minutes.
- Drain all the water from the pot and mash the potatoes and kale.
- Now add the mustard, milk, and butter and mix everything into a creamy puree.
- Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste the mash.
- For the gravy, melt the cream butter in a pan.
- After the butter has melted, add the flour and stir well for about 6 minutes.
- While stirring, add the bouillon and continue cooking on medium heat.
- If there are no lumps in the gravy and the sauce is smooth, it’s ready!
- The packaging will indicate how to warm up the smoked sausage.
- Once you’ve dished up the kale mash, make a small well in the mash and pour the gravy into it. Lastly, place the sausage next to the kale mash.
- Enjoy!
Hutspot
Hutspot is a healthy meal for the whole family that you can quickly put on the table. This classic is made from onions, potatoes, and carrots, and is therefore also often called ‘carrot and onions’.
Ingredients:
For this recipe, you’ll need a masher.
1 kilogram of floury potatoes
600 grams of carrots or winter carrots
400 grams of large onions
75 grams of butter
100 milliliters of milk
1 bay leaf
Pepper and salt
Nutmeg
Follow these steps:
- Cut the carrots and onions into pieces.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into approximately equal sizes so they all cook evenly.
- Add the onions, carrots, and potatoes to a large pot of water. Add a bay leaf and let it cook for 20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are well-cooked after 20 minutes, drain the water and remove the bay leaf.
- Add the milk and now mash all the ingredients with a masher.
- Season the hutspot to taste with some salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Enjoy your meal!
Tips for finding Dutch ingredients:
Tip #1
At the bakery, you can get delicious bread and sweet snacks. You can also do this in the supermarket, but if you’re nearby, the bakery is always a nice outing. Here you can try real Dutch products like fresh sausage rolls, meat pastries, or tompouce!
Tip #2
Outside the city, there are often many farm shops or cheese farms to discover. Here you can find real Dutch cheese and dairy products, fresher than you can get elsewhere. You can also often find fun products not available in the supermarket.
In addition to food, do you want to know more about life in the Netherlands? Welcome app is a free app for newcomers to find their way in their new place of residence. One app with all the information, activities, and contacts in your neighborhood.
Download the app here
