Dutch

In the summer of 2021, we had lunch at the plant-based restaurant ONA near Bordeaux, which has a Michelin star. With our coffee and tea we got ‘miel de pisenlit’. Honey from dandelions. Honey?, I asked. In a plant-based restaurant? But no bee was involved in this honey. It was so delicious that I really wanted to make it myself. Had to wait a year for the dandelions to return. Now it’s time. And the result is astonishingly delicious. Honey that isn’t technically honey, but it tastes like it and is truly delicious.

Mash, a typical Dutch meal, I didn’t grow up with it. And I am usually not a big fan. But this mash is lovely. It’s a mash that has it all. An interesting variety of flavors, textures, and colors. Turnip, spinach, endive, dill, caramelized onions, some vegan cheese…. and delicious fresh yogurt… Well… That requires making and eating of course.

Sauerkraut prepared in this way is pure comfort food. The sweetness of the red pepper is a wonderful counterpart to the sauerkraut. The vegan cheese sauce is deliciously creamy and the oven actually does the rest. Casseroles are of course also great slow food material. And the delicious crust on top is of course ‘priceless’.

‘Stampot’ (mashed potatoes with kale) belongs to the Dutch ‘cuisine’. It’s part of our winter. And of course, stamport traditionally includes bacon and sausage. But not here, of course. And with these amazing spicy mushrooms, you have a whole new ‘stampot’ experience. One that overrides the other. It’s better. More tasteful. Really great.