It's a country that boasts more three-star restaurants per capita than any other nation-including France. It's a country where home cooks--and everyone, it seems, is a great home cook--spend copious amounts of time thinking about, shopping for, preparing, discussing, and celebrating food. With its French foundation, hearty influences from Germany and Holland, herbs straight out of a Medieval garden, and condiments and spices from the height of Flemish culture, Belgian cuisine is elegant comfort food at its best--slow-cooked, honest, bourgeois, nostalgic. It's the Sunday meal and a continental dinner party, family picnics and that antidote to a winter's day.
In 250 delicious recipes, here is the best of Belgian cuisine. Veal Stew with Dumplings, Mushrooms, and Carrots. Potato and Leek Stoemp. Smoked Trout Mousse with Watercress Sauce. Braised Partridge with Cabbage and Abbey Beer. Gratin of Belgian Endives. Flemish Carrot Soup. Steak-Frites. Belgian Steamed Mussels. Belgian Steamed Mussels. Cognac Scented Flemish Waffles. And desserts, some using the best chocolate on earth: Belgian Chocolate Ganache Tart, Lace Cookies from Brugge, Almond Cake with Fresh Fruit Topping, Little Chocolate Nut Cakes.
As Belgians explain it, since one has to eat three times a day, why not make a feast of every meal? 57,000 copies in print.
A Fervent Ode to Flemish culinary tradition and to generations of family cooking, from the author's peasant great grandmother's rustic, friendly, food to her mother's dedication to everything fresh. . . . Belgian food is cause for celebration. -Richard Olney, author of Simple French Food
At last, a book that reveals Europe's best-kept culinary secret: Belgium. From three-star restaurants-of which the country has more per capita than France-to the legions of opinionated, accomplished, home cooks, Belgium and the Belgian people are passionate about good food. Starting with a humble mussel, fried potato, simple chicken, or piece of chocolate, Belgians find a way-and always a surprisingly easy way-to make magic. As Belgians explain it, since one has to eat three times a day, why not make a feast of every meal?
A SAMPLE OF BELGIAN HOME COOKING
Smoked Trout Mousse with Watercress Sauce
Flemish Beef Stew Cooked in Beer
Mussels with Snail Butter
Waterzooi of Chicken
Quiche with Gorgonzola and Asparagus
Buttermilk Soup with Apples
Gratin of Belgian Endives
Braised Partridge with Cabbage and Abbey Beer
The One and Only Truly Belgian Fries
Flemish Yeast Pancakes, Breughel Style
Pears poached in Spiced Red Wine
Belgian Chocolate Ganache Tart