Search Results for: netherland

Netherlands, in the Dutch language, literally means, “Lowlands.”   Its name is fitting, as much of the land is actually below sea level.  Centuries ago, the people from the Kingdom of the Netherlands began building strong sea walls, called dykes.   You may remember the story from Hans Brinker, of The Silver Skates, about the little Dutch boy who plugged a dyke with his finger, saving the countryside below from flooding.  Statues of the fictional boy have been erected in various locations throughout the country, mainly for tourists to enjoy.  The Dutch used windmill powered pumps to drain the North Sea waters from behind the dykes.  The pumps are used to pump the sea water out, leaving low lying land behind, called polders.  Using this technique, they have actually been able to increase the size of their small nation.  Their constant battle against the sea has given the Dutch a strong sense of national pride.

The Netherlands is often mistakenly referred to as Holland.  This is because back in the 1800s, the area called Holland made the biggest contributions to the nation as a whole.  Holland is actually just two of twelve provinces within the nation.  Noord-and Zuid-Holland are what make up Holland.

The Netherlands is located in northwestern Europe.  Its land borders with Germany to the east and Belgium to the south.  It also has a large maritime border with the North Sea.  It shares this border with its two land neighbors and also the United Kingdom.

The Dutch have a long and fascinating history dating back some 37,000 years.  In 2009 a fragment of a Neanderthal skull was found partially buried in the sand on the floor of the North Sea.  Anthropologists estimate this fragment to be from the earliest years of inhabitants in the area.

The Dutch war, in which they were fighting for independence, is often referred to as “The Eighty Years War” (1568-1648.)  The first fifty years were between Spain and the Netherlands but in the last thirty years, much of Europe was involved and this segment is called “The Thirty Years War.”  During “The Eighty Years War”, the Dutch provinces became the most important trading centers of northern Europe.  In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Dutch were the most economically wealthy and scientifically advanced of all European nations. This time in history is referred to as “The Golden Era.”

The invention of the saw mill, allowed the Dutch to construct massive fleets of ships used for both trading and defense.  Known as a seafaring people, they were also keen mapmakers.  These undertakings allowed them to obtain an increasing position in world trade.  In 1602 the Dutch East India Company was founded, and was the first ever multinational corporation.  It was financed by shares creating the first modern stock exchange.  You may have heard of tulip fever which also occurred during this decade.  It was a bubble in the market when the price of tulip bulbs reached extraordinarily high levels and then crashed.  During this time, the Bank of Amsterdam was also established, and is considered to be the first ever, central bank.

The Dutch shipping fleet hunted whales, traded spices in India and Indonesia, and even founded colonies. These colonies include New Amsterdam, which today is called New York in the USA, South Africa and the West Indies.  The fleets conquered Portuguese colonies like northeastern Brazil, Angola, Indonesia and Ceylon.  They even began a trade monopoly with Japan.  They also dominated trade with European countries.  By the 1680s, nearly a thousand Dutch ships each year were sailing in the Baltic Sea.

After the Golden Era, there were many ups and downs.  In 1940, Germany took over the Netherlands, during World War II.  The Netherlands was known for diversity and acceptance of people, so the Holocaust hit them hard.  Approximately 107,000 Dutch Jews were deported to concentration camps and most perished there.  In the capital city of Amsterdam, remains the House of Anne Frank, where she and her family hid behind the walls of the main residence in a tiny cell, during the Second World War.  On August 4, 1944, the hiding place was discovered and all inhabitants were sent to concentration camps.  Her diary and papers were given to the sole survivor of the family, Otto Frank, Anne’s father.  Otto compiled her work and created “Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.”  This museum is one of Amsterdam’s most popular tourist attractions.

Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world.  It is known for its beautiful canal ring and the impressive architecture.  There is a Museum Square which includes: the Van Gogh Museum, an art museum dedicated to his works and his contemporaries, the Rijksmuseum, home to many of the Dutch masters’ work, including Rembrandt and the Dutch National Art and History Museum, which ranks number one.  Amsterdam has the highest density of museums in the world.  Aside from art and history, one can enjoy a canal ride or shop at the authentic Nine Streets, visit the Red Light District or experience “coffee shops” where marijuana and hashish are sold, (Although it is technically not legal, it is unofficially tolerated).  There is a cheese museum, as Holland is famous for cheese.  The Dutch have been making cheese since 400 AD.  Also one of the most famous beers in the world, Heineken, is brewed there and offers tours.  In the flower market, they are famous for growing tulips and the tulip fields are always a big draw in springtime when the tulips are at their peak.  It should be noted that the first tulip bulb was actually imported from Turkey although today the Netherlands supplies 75% of the world’s bulbs.

There are three other big cities in the Netherlands: Rotterdam, which is the second largest port in the world, Utrecht, and Hague.  The Netherlands has the highest population density in all of Europe, with 487 people per square kilometer.  Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, Parliament and the Supreme Court.  It is also one of the select cities to host the United Nations. King Willem-Alexander became king on January 28, 2013.  He represents the kingdom both at home and abroad and is the second youngest monarch in the world. The Royal Family will move to the Palace of Hus ten Bosch in Hague, when renovations are complete.

The Netherlands is the bicycle capital of the world.  There are more bicycles than people.  The land is flat as a pancake and thousands of kilometers of bike paths, called fietspadens, have been built.  Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on them.  The average person rides their bike 2.5 km per day.  The Netherlands is also the windmill capital of the world.  The 19 polder, draining windmills of the Kinderdijk are an UNESCO world heritage site.  The Netherlands have used windmills for over 30 different uses; the most common use was for grinding grain and spices. Windmills are a national symbol of the country.

The official language in the Netherlands is Dutch, although nearly ninety percent also speak English.  As far as religion, the Netherlands is mostly Roman Catholic and Protestant, of those who practice religion, however 2/3 of the people claim no religious faith.  The Netherlands is known for their social acceptance and was the first country to legalize “same sex marriage” in 2001.

As we look into the cuisine of this nation, well let’s just say, aside from cheese, beer and gin, they are not especially known for their cuisine.  Herring, with chopped raw onions and pickles is considered to be the national dish.  Many people eat raw herring, straight down the hatch, with head and tail attached.  The Dutch consume some 12 million kilograms of herring every year.  Although seafood plays an important part in the Dutch diet, they are big vegetable eaters, with little meat consumed.  Potatoes play a large role in the traditional cuisine.  Grains, such as rye, are used for breads, as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds.  Often sausages, called rookworst, accompany mashed potatoes and vegetables such as curly kale, in a dish called Boerenkool Stamppot.   Indonesian food is also very popular in their cuisine, as they had colonized Indonesia back in the day. Often times curry powder, and slices of pineapple or bananas are added to the stamppot, giving the oldest Dutch dish an exotic flair.

Dairy also plays a large role in the diet and only one percent of the population is believed to have lactose intolerance, the lowest in the world.  It may also account for why the Dutch are the tallest in the world. Most believe it the combination of good DNA and dairy.

International cuisines can be found throughout the cosmopolitan country.  Other favorite foods are: pancakes that are made both sweet and savory, called Pottertjes, snert a very popular pea soup especially in the winter (when made, the spoon should stand upright in the soup), mustard, pickles and sauerkraut are popular accompaniments, as is applesauce.  Children are served applesauce with nearly every meal and they mix it in with the potatoes and vegetables for sweetness.  For desserts, there are many: oliebollen is a famous dough that is fried and served on New Year’s Eve, stroopwafel is a thin waffle cookie with caramel in the middle, which is a national favorite.  They also love “the Dutch drop” which is a black licorice that can be found everywhere. They make them soft sweet, soft salt, hard sweet and hard salt.

So let us enjoy a Dutch meal:

The Menu

Starter

Bitterballen (A Deepfried, Meatball Served with Mustard)

Main Course

Boerenkool stamppot (Sausage with Mashed Potatoes and Kale)

Served with

Huzarensalade (Hussars Salad)

Dessert

Appeltaart (Dutch Apple Pie)

We set the scene with the color orange, as that is considered to be the color of the Netherlands.  The flag is now red, white and blue but it used to be orange white and blue, as that was the livery colors of the Dutch prince, William of Orange.  They even created a carrot, that was orange in color, to honor of their prince.  We added to our decor, an anchor, representing the seafaring nation, a picture of a windmill and little wooden shoes, known as clogs, called Klompen.  They are still worn by farmers, and gardeners are a popular tourist souvenir.

We began our meal with a pub fare, called bitterballen.  These are deep fried, meatballs but inside they contain a mixture of bechamel and minced seasoned beef.  Sometimes they are made as long sausages, instead of balls and are then called kroket.  They are both served with spicy mustard and enjoyed with an icy cold, Heineken beer.  These were so yummy and went especially well with soft gouda cheese, making for a lovely appetizer.  The Dutch are actually the largest exporter of cheese in the world.

We said, “Eet samkelijk” which means, “Bon appetit” in Dutch.  For the main course, we served their most famous dish, Boerenkool stamppot.  This dish is made with sausage, alongside a mashed potato and curly kale.  It was hard for me to make this dish as it was 105 degrees outside at my house and it seemed way too hardy to enjoy in this kind of heat.  The truth is, we thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. It was a simple and delicious combination of flavors.

We served the main course with a Hussars salad, which is a potato salad that contains several other ingredients.  Typically it is made with beef, however I eliminated the meat and kept it vegetarian.  This is probably the best potato salad I have ever tasted.  It was dressed with mayonnaise, toned down with white wine vinegar, making it much lighter than what I am used to.  It was the apple that added the tart, lovely, bite in the mix.  This salad would make a perfect lunch or light summer dinner.  We loved it!

For dessert, it was appeltaart.  This was probably the best apple dessert ever.  Saying this statement is almost sacrilege.  My grandmother, Agnes, made a mean apple pie and I often channel her spirit whenever I have to make a dough.  She was beyond amazing in how she could just whip up  a meal for eight or more people and bake three or four pies, after 18 holes on the golf course. I believe I got my passion for food from her.  I thought of her often making this dessert.  She was able to peel an entire apple with a paring knife, keeping the skin in one long, curling piece.  I like to try this because it reminds me of her.  This apple tart is similar to a pie but the crust is much softer than a pie, almost melting in your mouth.  The flavor was divine.  This dessert will be a staple in my home for years to come.  We enjoyed it with a cup of coffee, as the Dutch are the world’s biggest coffee drinkers.  They drink an average of 3.2 cups a day.  They also were the first to import coffee to Europe on a large scale, way back in 1600s.

As we say goodbye to most fascinating country, I leave you with a lovely Dutch proverb:

“Gezelligheid kent geen tijd” which means literally ”Coziness knows no time” or an English translation is:  “Time spent together is time well spent”.

Until next time,

“Vaarwel” which means, “Farewell.”

Darlene Longacre

Darlene

Lucilinburhuc is the ancient, Saxon name of the capital city, now called Luxembourg City, which means “Little fortress.”  It was also known as, “The Gibraltar of the North” for it emulated the strategic location along an important military route, linking Germanic and Frankish territories. Luxembourg is a tiny country of just 998 square miles, located in Europe.  The country is bordered by Belgium, France and Germany.  Good things must come in small packages as we explore yet another country that is one of smallest, yet one of the richest.

Officially known as “The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg”, it is the only Grand Duchy that remains in the world today.  It is run as a constitutional monarchy with hereditary succession.  The powers of the Grand Duke are primarily formal.  Executive order lies with the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Grand Duke.  The Grand Duchy has belonged to many kingdoms and empires over its long history.  Today the Grand Duke is Henri of Luxembourg.   He and the Grand Duchess reside in the Berg Castle and use the Grand Ducal Palace for official business.

The City of Luxembourg’s old quarters and fortifications are an UNESCO World Heritage site.  From the 16^th century until 1867 it was one of Europe’s greatest fortified sites.  It was continuously reinforced as it passed from one great European power to the next. The Holy Roman Empire, the House of Burgundy, the Habsburgs, French and Spanish Kings and finally the Prussians, all had a hand in its history.  The Old City is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Petrusse Rivers.  It is on an extremely steep outcropping, which acts as a natural fortification, and offers a spectacular setting as well.

Luxembourg is a beautiful country with a mild climate.  It has lush, forested hills in the northern third, known as Oesling.  These hills and valleys are home to the ruins of numerous castles which are a big tourist attraction.  It is also home to a network of rivers which join the Moselle River on the border with Germany.  The southern two thirds of Luxembourg are known as Bon Pays, or Gutland which means, “Good Land” in both French and German.  This is the most populated area and also home to Luxembourg City.  The canalized Moselle River connects them with the Rhine Waterway System, providing an avenue for the international movement of goods.  The slopes of the Moselle River valley are covered with vineyards, which produce excellent wines.  This area receives a substantial amount of sunshine, which is why it is called “Little Riviera.” The fertile soils of the lower Moselle and Sure valleys are rich pasturelands for livestock and agriculture.

The prosperity of Luxembourg came from the iron and steel industries, which in the 1960s represented 80 percent of their exports.  Today, it is international banking and financial services, along with information technology and electronic commerce, which are the most valuable components of the economy.  Many of the world’s largest companies have their European headquarters in Luxembourg; companies like Skype, Amazon and Paypal, just to name a few. Luxembourg is also known for the RTL (Radio, Television, Luxembourg).  The group is Europe’s largest TV, Radio and Production Company with 34 television channels and 33 radio stations in 12 countries.

The Luxembourgers are world leaders in demonstrating the highest standard of living and per capita income.  They have the highest minimum wage in the EU.  Additionally, the Heritage Foundation has ranked Luxembourg first in Europe and fourth in the world, for economic freedom.  It is also very safe place.  According to the UN it is the least likely place you will ever be shot.  They have a police force of 1300 officers and only two jails.

Luxembourg was occupied by Germany during both World Wars, despite being a neutral state. After World War II, they joined forces with Belgium and the Netherlands to form the Benelux Customs Union in 1944.   It was a founding member of the European Economic Community in 1957, which became the European Union (EU) in 1993.  Luxembourg was also a founding member of NATO in 1959.  The highest court in the EU in matters, of EU law, is located in Luxembourg.  The most powerful person in the EU, Jean-Claude Junker, holds the position of President of the European Commission and is Luxembourgish.  He has held the position since 2014 but has not been without controversy.  At the end of 2014 investigative journalists leaked some 28,000 tax agreements and other documents of about 350 companies, including Pepsi, IKEA, Proctor & Gambles, JP Morgan and FedEx, which exposed how they saved millions due to Luxembourg’s favorable tax rates.  The scandal was called Luxleaks and has forced major business reforms.

The population of Luxembourg is small, with only about 563,000 calling it home.  Almost half of the permanent residents are foreign.  They have about 170 different nationalities living in the country.  Portuguese make up the biggest minority group, at 16.4 percent.  The official language is Luxembourgish, a dialect of German with French mixed in.  Children are taught Luxembourgish in nursery school, then taught French and German in primary school and then   English at the secondary level.  All four of these languages, as well as Portuguese, are commonly spoken.  The Luxembourg Parliament uses Luxembourgish, however, the laws are made in French.  School attendance in the Grand Duchy is compulsory between the ages of 4 and 16.  There are both public and private schools, all geared toward university and higher education.  Most citizens go to other countries for their higher education but now Luxembourg offers their own university as an alternative, which focuses on business and management, the arts and healthcare.

There are lots of festivals and holidays in Luxembourg; many of them religious, as 87% of the population are Roman Catholic.  The capital, Luxembourg City was actually listed twice as the “European Capital of Culture.”  They do a good job of promoting their heritage, along with their leading artists, photographers, writers and musicians.

The cuisine of Luxembourg is largely influenced by its neighbors.  It is often described as food that combines the rustic German heartiness, with French finesse and a little Iberian flavor thrown in, for good measure.  Luxembourgish food will be large portions, lots of meat, fish, potatoes, and beans usually with cream and wine.  There is a rediscovery happening of the traditional cuisine, with many chefs including recipes from their grandmothers on the menu.  Some of these dishes are Judd Mat Gaardebounden (neck of pork with broad beans), Traiipen (fried blood sausage) served with applesauce and Kuddelfleck, (tripe served breaded in a tomato sauce).  The Moselle River Valley is known for trout in Riesling sauce, fried fish and home-smoked ham.

So let’s enjoy a Luxembourgish meal.

  The Menu

Starter

Potato Skins with Whipped Cod Roe

Soup

Bou’neshlupp (Green Bean Soup)

Salad

Salade Madame Seguin (Greens with Warm Goat Cheese)

Main Course

F’rell am Reisleck (Trout in Riesling Sauce)

Served with Gromperekichelcher (Potato Fritters)

 Dessert   

Keiskuch (Cheese Cake)

We set the table with the colors of the Luxembourg flag; red, white and blue.  Our centerpiece was a lovely bouquet of red roses, their national flower.  We enjoyed the meal continental style (fork in the left hand, knife in the right) which is customary there.  This meal was extra special as we were joined by my sister and her husband from Texas, whose company enhances any occasion.  Dining etiquette in Luxembourg is formal.   We began with a toast of a nice glass of Riesling that the country is known for and said, “Prost” which means “Cheers” and joined with a clink of our glasses.

Our starter course was a really delicious and unique appetizer that is well worth the effort.  It was a fried potato skin, stuffed with a whipped cod roe and topped with caviar.  This was a luxurious and wonderful appetizer and a great beginning as to what was to come.

A soup course came next; a very popular dish in Luxembourg called, Bou’neshlupp.  This was an amazing green bean soup made with diced potatoes, chopped onion, and bacon bits with a dab of cream.  The sliced green beans in the soup were cooked perfectly “al-dente.”  We all loved it!

The next three dishes were served family style; an elegant, garden salad made with super, fresh salad greens right from the International Cuisine garden, topped with home grown tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots.  It was dressed with a walnut and Riesling dressing, and served with a slice of baguette, topped with melted goat cheese.  Heaven!

The main course was the magnificent trout in Riesling sauce.  The trout was first fried with butter in a pan for a short time.  A sauce was made of chopped tarragon, chives, chervil, shallots and parsley,  all from the IC Garden as well. Riesling and cream were added and the trout was cooked in the oven until tender and flaky.  The trout was served in the cream sauce and was so lovely and succulent.  Also served with the trout, were potato fritters, which were awesome.

For dessert, we had a cheese cake called, Keiskuch, which was actually more of a curd pie than a cake.  It turned out pretty good, but I think using cream cheese instead of cottage cheese would have been more authentic and a bit tastier.  The cake/pie was topped with fresh blueberries from our garden.  After the meal, we set our fork and knife together in the 5:25 position, signifying we were full and satisfied.

As we say goodbye to this little country called Luxembourg, I leave you simply with their motto:

Mir wellebleiwewatmirsinn, which means “We want to remain what we are”   and who could blame them!

Until next time,

Warmest regards,   Darlene

Indonesia gets her name from the words “Indus” (the name of India) and the Greek word “nesos,” which means, islands. The name was coined in the 18th century by James Richardson Logan who was a student of English ethnologist, George Earl and used Indonesia as a synonym for the Indian Archipelago. Indonesia is located in South East Asia. She is bound by Malaysia and the South China Sea to the northwest, Papua New Guinea to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the northeast and the Indian Ocean to the southwest.

Indonesia has been described as a gargantuan tree with many branches. She is the largest archipelago in the world. The country is made up entirely of islands, some 17,000 of them and they stretch over an area of 3,200 miles, from east to west. About 6000 of the islands are inhabited. Sumatra and Java are two of the largest Islands in the archipelago. Jakarta is the capital city, the largest city and located on the island of Java. The beautiful, tropical island of Bali is sometimes referred to as the tourist capital of Indonesia.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous nation on earth, with over 257 million people. Java holds the majority of the population, over 51 percent, and is the most populous island on earth. Indonesia is also home to the largest population of Muslims in the world, with 87 percent of the population practicing Muslim. The government only recognizes six religions, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism and Confucianism. Every citizen must officially declare their religion whether practicing or not and two individuals that want to marry must belong to the same religion or one must convert.

Indonesia has a rich and fascinating history. Each island has its own unique, cultural background. The majority of the population is made up of Austronesian people, who originally migrated to South East Asia from Taiwan around 2000 BC. They began pushing the indigenous people to the far eastern regions. During the sixth and seventh centuries, the Srivijaya Kingdom and the Majapahit Empire were basically world powers in trade and in bringing Hindu and Buddhist influences to the area. They also brought cultural influences from India, China, and mainland Southeast Asia. These dynasties left behind several grand, religious monuments such as Buddhist Sailendra’s Borobudur and Hindu Mataram’s Prambanan, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites today. Although Islamic influences began in the eighth and ninth centuries, it wasn’t until the 13th century when Marco Polo visited Northern Sumatra, where he found already established Islamic states. Other areas of Indonesia gradually adopted Islam and it became the dominant religion by the end of the 16th century.

It was around this time that Indonesia’s abundant resources, particularly spices, began to attract the attention of the Europeans, especially the Portuguese. Spices were as good as gold, as they were believed to cure everything from the plague to many other diseases. The Portuguese were followed by the English and the Dutch. It was eventually the Dutch who won and colonized the area. The Dutch East India Company, established a spice monopoly that lasted well into the 18th century. After the dissolution of the Dutch East India Company, the Dutch began cultivating sugar and coffee on the island of Java, providing three quarters of the world’s coffee supply. It is no coincidence that java is often used as a slang term for coffee. Speaking of coffee, today the Indonesians sell the most expensive coffee drink in the world, a drink called “kopi luwak”. A cat, called the Asian palm civet, consumes coffee berries and the enzymes in the civet’s stomach removes the bitterness from the coffee berry. Well, you can use your imagination on how the berries come out of the civet. These berries are sold for about $1000 per pound.

The Indonesians were anxious for independence, which came after the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, from 1942 until the end of WWII, in 1945. The Dutch were unable to defend the colony from the Japanese, as they were under German occupation. At the end of the war and within days of the Japanese surrender, the Indonesians declared their independence. The Netherlands did not agree and a four year struggle ensued. They finally gave Indonesia their sovereignty in December of 1949. For years, Independence was still a struggle for the Indonesian people. After much strife, they finally were able to hold free elections in 1999.

Today Indonesia is a huge melting pot of over 300 ethnic groups. The official language is Bahasa Indonesia but there are several hundred other local languages, like Javanese and Papuan. Most Indonesians speak their local language, as well as the official one. Indonesia’s climate is tropical, mostly hot and humid, as many of the islands lie right along the equator. They have two seasons, a wet and dry season but the temperatures do not vary much from season to season. They mainly stay in the low to mid 80’s year round. Cooler temperatures can be found at the higher elevations.

The Indonesian archipelago is one of the most geologically evolving and diverse countries in the world. Over 150 of Indonesia’s 17,000 plus islands are active volcanoes. The, over 400, volcanic mountains that dot the islands, have a huge impact on both the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. The islands are stretched out between the two plates and the area remains extremely active. Indonesia experiences at least one earthquake per day and three or so lesser vibrations. The Mount Tambora eruption that occurred in 1815 on the island of Sumbawa, was the largest observed volcanic eruption in history. The 2004 earthquake had a magnitude of 9.0 and created one of the world’s worst tsunamis ever. The epicenter was in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. In Indonesia alone, over 166,000 people died, over a half a million were displaced and 11 other countries were affected. On a personal note, when that tragedy occurred, I did not know much about Indonesia and I felt I needed to connect to the people and place. It was highly influential in why I started International Cuisine, to learn and understand more about the people and cultures populating our planet.

The flora and fauna of Indonesia is astounding, being the second most bio-diverse nation on earth. There are about 28,000 species of flowering plants, with 2500 orchid species, 6000 traditional, medicinal plants, 122 species of bamboo, 350 species of rattan and over 400 types of rare woods. Tropical rain forests in the region are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Along with the flora and fauna, there are animals and birds, reptiles and fish that are equally astonishing. One of the most famous reptiles, resides on one island in Indonesia, and is known as the komodo dragon. This is only place in the world where this huge creature is found. Komodo Island is another UNESCO World Heritage site.

As we look into the cuisine of this extremely diverse nation, it is easy to see the many different influences on their amazing food. The Europeans, Arabs, Indians, South East Asians and the Chinese all contributed. Being located along the spice trade and with the natural resources that abound, the combinations are endless. The foundation of any authentic Indonesian meal is rice called (nasi). Everything served with it is considered an accompaniment. Rice is grown in many areas throughout Indonesia, in the rich volcanic soil. Indonesian cuisine is a combination of flavors, usually hot, salty, sweet and sour, all at the same time, which makes Indonesian food one of the most vibrant cuisines of the world.

So let’s enjoy the flavors of Indonesia:

The Menu
Nasi Tumpeng
(Assorted dishes surround the cone shaped rice)

Bakwan Sayur (Vegetable Fritter)

Bakmi Goreng (Seafood Stir Fried Noodles)

Gado Gado (Vegetables with Peanut Sauce)

Beef Rendang (Braised Beef in Coconut Milk)

Achar (Pickled Vegetables)

Nasi Kuning (Yellow Rice)

Dessert
Dadar Gulung (Caramelized Coconut pancakes)

We set our low table with the colors of the Indonesian flag; red and white. We used banana leaves and bamboo mats to set the scene, along with orchids, coconut and candles, accented with a komodo dragon and the coat of arms. The platter, called Tumpeng, has a giant cone of rice in the middle of the platter. Tumpeng is served at many celebratory occasions. The cone represents the mountains. We sat on the floor and used only a spoon and fork, as would be customary in Indonesia. The rice was made with coconut milk and turmeric to give it a beautiful, yellow hue.

Surrounding the Nasi Kuning were many delicious dishes. We began with the Bakwan Sayur, which is basically tempura like, vegetable fritters that were served warm and crispy. We devoured them.

Next was the gado-gado. This dish is loved all over Indonesia, it literally means “mix, mix” so it can be made with any combination of vegetables (salad type ingredients, boiled, blanched and/or fresh) that you can imagine, but a few key ingredients are a must. The sweet and spicy peanut dressing is what makes this dish oh so delicious. Hardboiled egg, tempeh and potatoes are also commonly used in gado-gado. It would make a lovely light meal for any occasion.

We then enjoyed the seafood, stir fried, noodle dish called, Bakmi Goreng. This is an amazing dish full of robust flavor. The noodles are also a staple in their cuisine and one can imagine any number of uses for these delicious noodles. This dish had shrimp and squid as the seafood of choice and used a combination of hot chili sauce and sweet soy sauce, called Kecap. (Which, by the way, is how ketchup evidently got its name.) The sesame oil added a perfect essence and blended well with the mushrooms, onions and chives. The fried onions gave it a caramelized richness. Honestly, I have made this stir fry with all sorts of ingredients, multiple times, since our Indonesian meal. I am in love!

Next was the dish called beef rendang. Red meat is not eaten very often in Indonesia but reserved for special occasions. This traditional delicacy is made by slow cooking beef for hours in a rich, spiced, coconut sauce, until the beef has absorbed all the intricate flavors. It is cooked until perfectly tender and is a dish to be celebrated; simply outstanding.

All these dishes were served with a condiment/pickle called “achar”. These are vegetables, pickled with a hot and sour sauce and provide a lovely bite to accompany just about anything or even eaten all by themselves.
For dessert we savored dadar gulung. This is a caramelized coconut mixture, wrapped in a pancake, made with the flavoring of pandan leaves. It was a magical end to our Indonesian feast.

As we say goodbye to these amazing islands and flavors of Indonesia, I do so with renewed hope. Just this past week, on December 2nd, there was a terrorist attack in the United States. It happened in San Bernardino, California and the attack is believed to have been inspired by radicalized jihadists. As Indonesia has also suffered terrorist attacks by radicals, I was moved to see that the government released a film called, “Rahmat Islam Nusantara” (“The Divine Grace of East Indies Islam”.) It has been translated into English and Arabic for global distribution. In a nut shell, the film challenges and denounces the ISIS interpretation of the Quran, as factually wrong and perverse. This strong message, coming from the most enlightened form of Islam in the world and dating back more than 500 years, is highly significant. It promotes a spiritual interpretation of Islam that stresses non-violence, inclusiveness and acceptance of other religions. Amen!

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Deutschland means “of the people” and is what the Germans call their homeland. “Deutsch” is what they call themselves. Germany is located in central Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and lying between the Netherlands and Poland and the south of Denmark. Her other neighbors are Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France and Belgium. Germany is the second most populous country in all of Europe, after Russia, with over 82 million who call Germany home. The ethnicity is made up of over ninety percent Germans, two percent Turkish (as the second largest ethnic group) and the remainder, immigrants from neighboring countries.

German is the language they speak and is the third most popular language in the world. Five other countries list German as their official language. Germany has an intriguing and vast history. The region had been part of the Holy Roman Empire and actually did not unite as a singular country until 1871, when it became the German Empire. The princes of the German States gathered and proclaimed Wilhelm I of Prussia, as the German Emperor. In years to come the Imperial German Army became the most powerful military in Europe. The German economy was rapidly growing, as was German pride and intense nationalism.

Although Germans had been involved in many conflicts in conjunction with other empires, the newly formed German Empire payed a massive price for their involvement in World War I. In fact, they just recently finished paying off the huge reparations. After World War I, Germany suffered greatly in the early 1920s with hyperinflation. This occurred when they missed a reparation payment. Things happened so fast, that one could not make it to the store, with a wheel-barrel full of Deutsch marks, quickly enough to purchase a loaf of bread. People burned their marks to stay warm, as it was more cost effective than paying for heat. It was during this time that Adolf Hitler started his rise to power as head of the National Socialist German Workers Party or Nazi for short. The Germans were angry with the price of the war and when the Great Depression hit, unemployment was unbearable. Hitler was a spellbinding orator that told the Germans exactly what they wanted to hear. He was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

What transpired next was the rise of the Third Reich. Ethnic cleansing, anti-Semitism and genocidal atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis, became known as the Holocaust. Eleven million people were killed in Germany and surrounding countries during the Holocaust; 6 million were Jews, 1.1 million children, along with other groups targeted by the Nazis for termination such as, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, disabled people and Romas (Gypsies.) Millions of others, that were not exterminated, were tortured and suffered for years in German concentration camps. This horrific chapter of Germany’s history has been difficult to overcome. Yet we can’t forget that many other countries and empires around the world have also endured similar atrocities and somehow managed to evolve as a people. Today, Holocaust denial, using the Hitler salute of “Heil Hitler”, or displaying the swastika, constitutes a crime in Germany. We can only hope that this dark past will be eclipsed by the decency, progress and hard work of Germans today.

After World War II, in 1945, Germany was divided into four zones between the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), The United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and France. The capital city, Berlin, was an island in the heart of East Germany. In 1949, West Germany, which included the former UK, US and French zones, united as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany. The German Democratic Republic or East Germany included the USSR zone. East Germany lived in isolation for many years while West Germany began its recovery and explored free enterprise. The famous words of Ronald Regan, commanding Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall” (referring to the Berlin wall that was built in 1961 by the USSR to keep East Germans from going to West Germany) contributed to the end of the Cold War. Germany was truly unified between East and West when the wall was torn down and all four powers formally relinquished their rights on March 15, 1991.

Today Germany is thriving. She has one of the highest levels of education, technological development and economic prosperity. Social programs include: universal healthcare, unemployment compensation and child benefits. Germans have made tremendous contributions to the world in multiple areas. Classical music, for example, gave us the genius of Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Strauss and Schumann, to name a few of the world’s most famous composers and all were German. Engineering innovation was another contribution in the automotive industry with the likes of: Porsche, BMW and Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen. If you call for a taxi in Germany, it will likely be a Mercedes Benz and any one of these fine automobiles would be a thrill on the world famous Autobahn, where there is no speed limit. Architecture is another area of pride in Germany. There are over 150 castles in Germany and cathedrals and buildings designed in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles, are found all over the country. A prime example of their world class architecture, is the famous Brandenburg gate. This former city gate is now a symbol of Berlin’s unity. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1439 was epochal. Einstein, probably the most recognized scientist in the world, was born in Ulm, Germany. The list of famous German inventions and people goes on and on which is why Deutschland is also known as, “Das land der dichter und denker” (The country of poets and thinkers.)

As we look into the cuisine of this most interesting nation, we find that it is as varied as its past. For hundreds of years, the German Empire consisted of smaller kingdoms, sub-units and duchies. The people of these various regions still carry on their traditions and specialty cuisines. Some might say German food is a bit heavy and there is some truth to that. However, today the modern German cuisine is International and uses a wide variety of fresh ingredients. The cuisine also changes with the seasons; game meat, mushrooms, and certain vegetables, like white asparagus, are wildly popular in the summer. Cabbage, beets, and turnips are native to the region and used year round. Potatoes were introduced by a botanist in 1589 and have become a staple. The potato makes up a large part of the German diet, cooked in numerous delicious ways from pancakes to dumplings, soups and salads. Germans also make over 300 varieties of bread and even have bread museums. Pork is the number one meat consumed and it no surprise, (I think the first thing that came to my mind regarding German food was bratwurst and sauerkraut.) The Germans are famous for wurst (sausage) and they have over 1400 different varieties.

Clearly neighboring countries, including Russia and Turkey, influenced German cuisine, especially in the eastern regions. Back in the 1960s, when Germany was enjoying a huge economic boom, they suffered from an acute labor shortage. The Germans made a trade agreement with Turkey for labor, which is why the Turks are the second largest ethnic group in Germany today.

Depending on what statistic you read, Germany ranks either second or third in the world for beer consumption. Germany is the birthplace of a number of beer varieties. Brews were crafted according to a 16th century, Bavarian law known as Reinheitsgebot or “the purity law.” The law decreed that beer could only be brewed from barley, hops and water. Brewers could only use the yeast available from the air.

One of their most famous beer festivals in Germany is Oktoberfest. It actually begins in September and well may be the largest festival in the world. The festival has been held in Munich each year since Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hilldburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities, held on the fields in front of the city gates, to celebrate the happy royal event. Today some six million visitors converge to enjoy huge steins of beer called “mass” (a liter in size) along with delicious German fares at the Oktoberfest celebration. If you go, know that if you order a beer with your index finger they will bring you two. If you just want one, you need to indicate that with just your thumb. German beer must also compete with their brandy and Schnapps as well as their world famous, German wines.

So let’s enjoy a traditional Deutsch meal:

The Menu
Starter
Brezeln (Pretzels and beer, served with mustard)

Main
Sauerbraten (Marinated beef with gravy)

Kartoffelkloesse (German potato dumplings)

Rotkohl (German red cabbage)

Dessert
KirschKuchen (Black forest cake)

We set our table with colors of the German flag; red, black and gold. Our décor included various instruments to honor their musical genius. We added a Christmas tree cookie cutter, as they are responsible for the Tannenbaum tradition. A soccer ball was included for Germany’s most recent win in the World Cup. (They have more soccer fan clubs than anywhere else in the world.) I wanted to showcase the Angela Merkel, Barbie doll, but I could not locate one. She is the first woman Chancellor of Germany and head of the European Union. Forbes lists her as one of the most powerful people on the planet. She has been very popular in her country however recently she faces huge opposition with yet another proposed Greek bailout on the table. Lastly, the German coat of arms rounded out our décor.

We ate continental style, which is customary there, as we listened to a variety of classical music. For the first course, we lifted our beer steins and toasted “prost” which means “cheers” in German. It is considered rude to drink before toasting and when you clink your glass you should raise your elbow to shoulder height. Our first course was the famous German pretzel. This thick, doughy pretzel, hot from the oven, sprinkled with coarse salt and dipped in mustard is perfect with a good German beer. By the way, you should cut your pretzel with your knife and eat it with your fork. It is rare to see people eating with their hands in Germany.

We brought out the main course and said “Guten Appetiit” which means “Enjoy your meal.” We savored the delicious roasted meat called sauerbraten. This meat is so unbelievably tender after being marinated for days and then cooked, low and slow. The result is a lovely roast with an awesome gravy to go with it. It was served with outstanding, potato dumplings that curiously are made with a homemade crouton inside. Although the crouton was also delicious, I wasn’t really sure why it was added to the dumpling. It was awesome by itself, especially dipped in the gravy from the sauerbraten. It is important to note, that when eating in Germany, you should only cut off one piece of meat at a time, and be sure to clean your plate. So you should only take what you think you will really eat.

For a side dish we served boiled, red cabbage. It was perfectly cooked, so that it still had a slight crunch to it and the flavor of apple, which was cooked with it, made a lovely combination.

For dessert, we feasted on black forest cake! This cake is nothing like the black forest cake you normally find at your local bakery. In other words, it is not made with a cherry pie filling. Traditionally the cake is made with a cherry brandy found in the Black Forest region. I made ours using Morello cherries, that are also from the region but do not include the alcohol. The result was a keeper; a moist and most delectable cake and the perfect way to end our German meal.

As we say goodbye to Germany, we do so with a better understanding of what the German people have endured. Sometimes it is said that Germans come across as unfriendly but that is furthest from the truth. They are simply up-front and hard-working people. Time is managed carefully and punctuality is very important. Perhaps that is why they have one of the largest economies in the world.

Until next week
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Cape Verde, now known as Cabo Verde, is an archipelago of 10 islands, nine of which are inhabited. When the Portuguese arrived in 1462, they found no one living on the islands. They first landed on the peninsula of the African mainland, which they named, Cape Verde, meaning Green Cape. Today the peninsula is called Cap-Vert, and the islands, which had been known as Cape Verde up until 2013, became Cabo Verde.

Cabo Verde was under Portuguese rule for nearly 500 years. After a war was fought in Guinea –Bissau, with another Portuguese colony on the mainland in 1975, they gained independence. Today they enjoy a stable government and political system, which is a model for other West African countries that do not. African slaves were brought to the Islands by the Portuguese, to work on their plantations and to feed their sailors. The people are considered “Mesticos”, meaning, a mix of African and European origins. Although Portuguese is the official language, most there speak Cabo Verdean Creole, or Kriol.

The Islands have few natural resources and they have suffered from extreme droughts and famine which resulted in massive emigration. There are more Cabo Verdeans living outside the country than inside. Nearly 500,000 Cabo Verdeans are estimated to live in New England, in the United States alone. Others emigrated to Portugal, Netherlands, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Canada, Argentina, Brazil. Many more fled to other West African Countries, especially those that speak Portuguese, like Angola and Guinea-Bissau. About 500,000 live on the Islands today with the majority living on the island of Santiago.

Each Island has its own cultural identity, although the northern islands tend to associate with the Portuguese colonizers and the southern islands have a closer affinity with Africa. Each town has a Roman Catholic Church and Catholicism (infused with indigenous beliefs) is the main religion on the islands. Even so, most of the people are not practicing Catholics but they do celebrate numerous Saints’ days, where communities gather for parties and festivities with music, dancing, drinking and food.

Cabo Verde offers free health care to its citizens. The facilities and resources are poor but they are more advanced than most other West African countries. They mainly suffer from infectious and parasitic diseases due to malnutrition and poor sanitation. Thankfully, they have not had any cases of the deadly Ebola outbreak, which is just off their shores. The average life expectancy is only 62 years of age.

The economy there has gone through many ups and downs over the centuries. In the early days, they experienced many pirate raids and then the French also attacked there in 1712. In the 19th century they regained some wealth due to their strategic location on major trade routes between Europe, South America and Africa. For a time the Islands had a coal and submarine cable station and large salt flats. Later, severe drought and famine struck and it wasn’t until after World War II that they began to prosper once again. Many expats, living in other countries, send money “home”, which also helps with the overall economy. Today, they are working on becoming a tourist destination, with several luxury hotels built on the Islands.

Most goods produced in Cabo Verde are based on agriculture, even though only 10 percent of the land is arable. About one-third of Cabo Verdeans are farmers. They produce bananas, corn, beans, sugarcane and coffee, but most of their food needs are imported. There is a large fishing trade as well. Many children follow in their parents’ footsteps and learn a craft at a very young age. People tend to work as long as they are able; it is not uncommon to see seniors working in the fields.

The cuisine, like the people, is a mix mainly of Portuguese and African influences. Of course being a nation of islands, fish and seafood play an important role in the diet. Their national dish is called Cachupa; a stew of hominy, beans, vegetables and whatever else is available to throw in. If it contains meat or fish, it is called Cachupa Rica. Breakfast usually consists of a steamed cornbread called cuscus, served with honey and coffee. The main meal of the day is a large lunch in the mid-afternoon, which is followed later by a light dinner. The drink of choice, particularly among men, is called Grogue; a liquor made of sugar cane. It is said it can make you go blind if you drink it long enough!

So let’s eat:

The Menu
Starter
Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup)

Main Dish
Polvo a Modo Ze De Lino (Octopus Stew)

Served with
Jagacida (Portuguese Rice)

Cape Verdean Style Salad (Green Salad)

Dessert
Gufong (Fried Pastry)

We decorated our table with the colors of their flag. Red represents economic prosperity, white is for peace, blue is for the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds them, and ten yellow stars represent each of the islands that make up this tiny country. We put on some Cesaria Evora music.  She is known as the Barefoot Diva and Queen of Cape Verdean music called Morna, a national song style like Tango is to Argentina.

We began the meal with an outstanding Portuguese kale soup. Honestly, my husband was a little reluctant because of the name (he is not a huge kale fan) but, after my insistence, he agreed to try it and was blown away. The flavor, especially due to the Linguica sausage, was just awesome. (We ate it for the next several days for lunch and it is now on our favorites list!)

For the main menu, we had a delicious octopus stew that had a bit of kick due to the addition of the habanero pepper. But it really is true that the tomato tames some of the heat and it indeed worked beautifully in this dish. On the side we had a simple green salad; romaine lettuce with some cucumber and tomato, with just a light oil and vinegar dressing. It was perfect along with what the locals call “Jag” Portuguese rice, with more of the Linguica sausage, YUM!

For dessert we had what is called Gufong. It is a simple fried dough on which we drizzled a touch of chocolate syrup. It was perfect, with a cup of tea to end our Cabo Verdean meal.

The people of Cabo Verde are known to be very generous. It is considered rude to eat in public and not offer what you have to those around you. As a result, you won’t normally find them eating in public. They take pride in greeting each other with a handshake and a lengthy discussion about one’s family and health. This occurs every time you greet someone, even if it is twice in the same day. They like to be very physically close when they communicate and hand gestures are commonly used. Like so many other cultures, they show their generosity by providing a meal to a guest. If you ever are invited to dine there, be sure to take a gift to show your appreciation for their hospitality.

As we say goodbye to these tropical islands called Cabo Verde, I leave you with a quote from a previous secretary of state. Perhaps lessons can be learned here.
“Few places demonstrate the promise of Africa better than Cape Verde. Some places have certain aspects that can be comparable. But no place has put it all together, with good governance, transparency, accountability, the rule of law, a democracy that is delivering for its people, lifting them out of poverty, putting them now in a category of middle-income countries of the world.”

And in Kriol
“Ti prosima vez!” Which means, until next time!

Warmest regards,
Darlene