Chocolates & New Shoes...

...always make a girl feel better. :)

So I've been feeling down about something the past few days. And to my surprise when I picked up the mail today I had an unexpected package from the Spence Family (the one's in Utah :). I think it was about a year ago that Mickie and I got to talking about her mom's connection with Holland and growing up eating some special Dutch treats too. Lucky them, there's a Dutch bakery store in Utah and Mickie wanted to buy some yummy chocolates and stroopwafels. So I told her how I loved the Droste pastilles. Well what came in my package - 2 boxes of pastilles!!! Made. My. Day. Thank you again Mickie, it was so sweet and thoughtful of you.
I also got these cute new sandals at Kohl's today! I'm telling ya, it's my day. Lucked out and got a 30% off coupon for this week. We went looking for new tennis work shoes for Stephen - but he's too picky and didn't find any he liked. So I used the coupon. Got these suede SO® Ashie Sandals for $24.49 normally priced $49.99. I think I will finally use my Spa Pedicure certificate Stephen gave me for Christmas. Life is good.

My Favorite Dutch Snacks

I just recently joined a Dutch group on Facebook and one of the discussions on the bulletin board was, "Favorite Dutch Food". Boy after reading through this discussion it got my taste buds watering! And it doesn't help that it's finally beginning to feel like Fall weather here in Texas, for me cold weather = eat lots of food! :-)

So I thought it would be fun to make a blog post about my favorite Dutch snacks, displaying some photos and details about them (so my non-Dutch family and friends get an idea of what the heck I'm talking about!). And then I'd like my commenter's to leave a comment listing their favorite "heritage" snacks - and yes that can mean American snacks/food!

STROOPWAFEL

or SYRUP WAFFLE or CARAMEL COOKIE Dutch for “syrup waffle,” stroopwafels are Dutch cookies made from two round waffle-like wafers with a sweet syrup or caramel filling in the middle. Stroopwafels are an old Dutch treat, invented in Gouda in 1784. The traditional way to eat them is with a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. Just before it is eaten, the stroopwafel is placed on top of the hot cup in order to soften it up; the filling melts, and scents of cinnamon and nutmeg are released into the air.

KROKETS

Kroket, Croquet or Croquette. It was always believed to be invented by the Dutch, but it was based on a French concept: "Ragout". Nevertheless the Dutch were persistent and moulded the precious French Jewel into a more commercial form. A Kroket is, if prepared correctly, some ragout, mixed with for example Beef or Chicken, given extra finesse by the addition of special herbs. This ragout is surrounded by a crispy layer of breadcrumbs. I like to eat mine with a dollop of mustard on top!

PATAT met fritesaus

Translated...french fries with Dutch mayonnaise sauce! Also called frites sometimes, this is the quintessential Dutch fast food. Often served in a sno-cone with sauce on top. Sometimes served with a gravy sauce (poutine). Whenever Stephen would order these in Holland, he'd still ask for ketchup! LOL

OLIEBOLLEN
Oliebollen (literally oil balls) are traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve. That's when my mom would make them. It's a round dough that is fried (much like a doughnut), sometimes made with raisins, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. YUMMY!

HAGELSLAG

Commonly known in Holland as Puur Chocolade Muisjes or Hagel or Dark Chocolate Sprinkles. How I grew up eating them...sprinkled on a piece of lightly buttered bread.

I wonder what American food/snacks I would long for if I lived out of the States? Hhhmm, maybe in another blog post. Okay time for you to comment and list yours!