Monday, February 26, 2018

Waffles, Chocolate, Fries & Beer, Oh My!

Things Brussels is known for:

Waffles
Chocolate
Frites
Beer

We couldn't go without trying them all, over and over again.  In fact, we made an entire day of meals out of just these four things  (healthy, I know but it was oh so yummy!)

First, let's get the big one out of the way:  If the Belgium's invented Frites (Fries) why are they called French Fries?  During the First World War, American soldiers were served frites.  They erroneously thought they were in France (they do share the border) and hence the name was coined when the soldiers got home and told them about the wonderful fried potatoes they had in France.  In fact, the first recorded knowledge of cutting and frying potatoes is in 1680 around the Meuse river in Belgium.  

Now that we have that straight, here is how the Belgians eat Frites - fresh out of the fryer from one of the hundred of stands dotting the landscape.  The fries are put in a rolled paper cone that has a special spot in it just to hold the sauce and you are given a tiny little fork to use for dipping.  Fantastic!!!



The waffles don't really need as much of an explanation; they are called Belgian Waffles after all.  What differentiates them from the waffles that are popular in the U.S. are the dough (made from ale-yeast or egg-white leavened yeast), their shape (small rectangles with deep pockets) and the fact that they are eaten by hand, usually bought from a street vendor, with a dusting of powdered sugar.



Chocolate!  Fun fact, the Brussels airport, Zaventem, sells the most chocolate per day in the WORLD!  About 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) per minute.  And I think it can be attributed to the fact that chocolate production has been regulated by law since 1884 when they imposed that there must be at least 35% pure cocoa in the final product.  This prevented dilution of quality by not allowing the introduction of vegetable-based fats into the recipes and keeps Belgium at the top of its game.  

Another fun fact: The chocolate bar was invented in Belgium.
Final fun fact:  We ate our weight in chocolate while we were there (maybe a slight exaggeration)


Beer.  This is a tough one because we have lived in two places that have exceptional beer (Prague and Munich).  I wasn't expecting much.  But when you are in a country that has more distinct types of beer per capita than anywhere else in the world you really do have to sample.  And with that many varieties, you have to sample a lot :)  

Fun Fact:  Most beer is served in a bottle with its own uniquely shaped glass.  It is said to enhance the flavor. 



And because that wasn't enough we also pretended to each ice cream...


And then really did eat MadHatter's ultimate favorite, Macarons...


























































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