My America

I just finished reading the book, My America, by Everett John Gerard Bloemendaal. This book is an emigrant memoir by a Gelderland (province in the Netherlands) villager's son. It was a fascinating read. Mr. Bloemendaal is a great story teller and gives a detailed account of his journey from a Holland village to being an important and successful farmer of Orange City, Iowa, USA. He puts himself in the hands of the Lord and trusts in His will as he emigrated from Holland in 1867. With many blessings and calamities, he tells his remarkable (and sometimes humorous) story in an informative way. The book was originally called Naar Amerika (To America) and was written in 1911 to inform prospective emigrants in Holland of both the favorable and unfavorable things about America's people and potential (as well as established) farmland, villages and cities. He warns of natural disasters and also of sins prevalent in this part of the world. It was not until 1965 when Arnold Vander Wilt (member of Bloemendaal clan) asked Rev. Conrad Veenstra to translate it so that non-Dutch speaking family and friends could learn of Everett's journey. It was then re-released in 2009 for "a new generation" by Carol Van Klompenburg with the help of friends and family of Everett's. I recommend this book to anyone interested in real stories of early immigration, history, adventure, or the strength and endurance it took to be a pioneer of this, our America.
**Note to my family: When you read this book, you will be stricken with wonder as you see names of people and places you may recognize. However, as far as I have found, these are purely coincidental.

 Google it or Click here to view it on Amazon.com.

Pancakes!

Yesterday (25 March 2011) my son really wanted pancakes for breakfast. I normally use a boxed mix and add blueberries or apples... but I was out of the boxed mix. I turned to what has become my favorite cook book, Let's Go Dutch by Johanna (van der Zeijst) Bates. I had wanted to try the Flensjes Met Peren En Chocoladesaus (Dutch Pancakes [Crepes] With Pears And Chocolate) so I took this opportunity to make them since I had all the ingredients on hand. My son loved them and so did I, although they were a bit sweeter than I usually like my breakfasts to be.

Today (26 March) I found out that yesterday just happened to be The Netherlands' National Pancake Day! It just must be in my genes... a magnetic pull of the Dutch sort!
Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported on National Pancake Day (this is how I found out about it). See the video here:



Next time I have pancakes, I think I'll try the traditional pancake they talked about in the video (and also gave a recipe in the website article): apples and bacon.

Windmills

Part of the Dutch landscape for well over a century. You would expect to see this post eventually, wouldn't you? It is so typically Dutch.

Concordia Molen in Ede, NL

“[...] The Netherlands' relationship with the windmill goes all the way back to the 13th century, though the classic traditional Dutch windmill did not arrive until the Golden Age of the Netherlands in the 16th century[...]” (www.myholland.info).

There are three types of windmills.
1) The Post Mill has an upright rectangular body with a pointed roof. The entire structure pivots on a massive vertical post. It “must be manually turned into the eye of the prevailing wind.” (Windmills by Sally Taylor, copyright 1999, Todtri Productions Limited, chapter 2)
2) The Tower Mill appeared about 100 years after the Post Mill (first one in France). It has a tapered stone or brick tower-like structure topped with a small cap. The cap houses the wind shaft and brake wheel (it was the only part that had to be turned into the wind).
3) The Smock Mill (named for it's resemblance of a farmer in a smock) came into existence in the mid 17th century (in England). It's features include a small cap with a stationary building that is tall and has 6, 8, 10 or 12 sides. Like the Tower Mill, the cap of the Smock Mill is the only part that turns into the wind.
(Windmills by Sally Taylor)

Many of us think of windmills pumping water in Holland. A couple water pumping windmills are Wip Mill and Polder Mill. A Wip Mill is a variation of a Post Mill with a separate drive along the main post. This drive controls a scoop wheel extending into the water. A Polder Mill took the mechanism of a Wip Mill and placed it into a larger Smock Mill. These mills worked in a tiered system of mills and canals (Windmills by Sally Taylor). Although pumping water is a very important role of some, it is not the sole purpose of Dutch windmills. In the past, some ground grain to make flour. Others (in Holland and other countries) could saw and split timber, some made paper and others ground cocoa, pepper, mustard, etc... Now there are but a handful of mills that grind grains for flour (there may still be some that do some other functions, but I am personally not aware of the specific mills at this time).

Windmills by Sally Taylor (copyright 1999, Todtri Productions Limited) has some really great photos, illustrations, history and facts. I borrowed it from my aunt who says, "Someday, when I retire, I'd like to paint scenes from this book." I recently started painting again (after a long artists block and lack of time) and I can definitely envision a couple windmills going onto my canvases as well.
 
It seems that the Dutch are as romanticized by the windmills in their landscape as I (and much of the world) am. It was fascinating to learn that some of these windmills are still in operation today. There are only about 1200, out of approximately 10,000, functional windmills in the Netherlands. Many have been converted to restaurants, museums or simply sit unused. A fully functioning (original purpose) windmill is rare. Even rarer is a female miller (windmill operator). Here is a short clip from RNW about Alice de Wit, miller of "De Blauwe Molen" (The Blue Mill). The clip features images by photographer John Stoel. He pays homage to the millers and their dying trade in the Netherlands.  John Stoel's photo exhibition was on display at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam in 2009.


Sometimes the Miller is a Woman By Marijke van den Berg (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

Though the historical windmills are viewed as a symbol of comfort, familiarity, and a fixture in the typically Dutch landscape, the modern windmills or wind turbines are not always as loved. Wind Turbines are ordinarily 40 stories high with three large composite blades at the top of a "post". They convert kinetic energy (wind power) into mechanical energy (electricity). Wind Farms (groups or acres of wind turbines) are popping up all over the world as a form of alternative energy.
There is a strong controversy over the planned placement of a new wind farm on and off the shores near the historic fishing village of Urk. “Urk is united and says: 'No Iron Curtain around Our Village!'” (www.epaw.org). However, the Dutch Cabinet has decided to go ahead with the plan (originally made 12 years ago) but have scrapped the seven windmills closest to town. One might say that the residents of Urk are more than urked.

I leave you with some fun and peculiar windmill superstitions, sayings, and their meanings:

-If a miller is fatally injured while working, the millstones were considered very unlucky and would never be used again.

-Anyone who dared to demolish a windmill was to have bad luck.

- To "tilt at windmills" ; Behaving ridiculously, most likely ending in mockery.
Don Quixote (Cervantes) charged with his lance on horseback toward giants (windmills).

- "Run of the mill" ; Ordinary.

- "Grist to the mill" ; Work that must be done.

- To "go through the mill" ; A difficult experience.

- To "wear a millstone around your neck" ; Anything or anyone that acts as a debilitating burden.

And my favorite saying... and I what believe I have been plagued with...
- To "have windmills in your head" ; Your head is full of dreams.

Delicious

Ginger Bread Dutch Row Houses with a boat in the canal.

Well, well... It's been a while! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season - complete with lots of Dutch food! I did! My son and I made the Ginger Bread Dutch Row Houses with a boat in the canal (photo above). Over the last 2 months, we've been cooking up and sharing a lot of food. I didn't have the time to post anything so I am now catching up with myself. Enjoy!

Hollandse Appel Pannekoeken (Dutch Apple Pancakes)

We visited my mom and dad in Alaska for Thanksgiving. While we were up there, I made Hollandse Appel Pannekoeken (Dutch Apple Pancakes). Everyone loved it and it was so nice to come in from the icy outdoors and warm up a piece with our coffee's.
 

Prei Soep (Leek Soep) with Gouda sprinkling on top.
(Old Amsterdam aged, imported Gouda...Mmmm...)

On Saint Nicolaas Day, we had Prei Soep (Leek Soup) with bread before I went to see Andre Rieu in Seattle (great concert!).  This soup was very tasty!

Champignonsoep (Fresh Mushroom Soup)

 This Champignonsoep (Fresh Mushroom Soup) was very nice.

Hollandse Biefstuk (Dutch Beef)

 A simple dish of meat and potatoes. Hollandse Biefstuk (Dutch Beef) with some sugar and cinnamon apples. The Biefstuk was very peppery.

Hete Bliksem (Hot Lightning)

This Hete Bliksem (Hot Lightning) asks for blood sausage in the recipe. I had a very hard time finding blood sausage. I'm not sure if what I found was blood sausage or not. This dish was sweet, tangy, and meaty. A good tasting dish.

I have a mild allergy to peanuts. Over the years, I've been able to build up a little more of a tolerance to peanuts (not recommended) - or so I thought. Nasi Goreg I (Nasi Goreg I) has peanut butter listed as an optional ingredient. It sounded good so I put it in. I left the hot peppers out so my son could still enjoy it. It was awesome!--So awesome that I didn't mind when I turned red and itchy from the peanut butter. My husband went to the store to grab something to ease my allergic reaction. Next time I think I will leave the peanut butter out.

Nasi Goreg I (Nasi Goreg I) and Gebakken Banaanen (Fried Bananas)

 Gebakken Banaanen (Fried Bananas) were served with the Nasi Goreng. They were just as awesome tasting. I couldn't get them to look much like the photo in the book though.

Room En Wortel Soep (Cream of Carrot Soup)

 Room En Wortel Soep (Cream of Carrot Soup), a very good soup! Nice and creamy!
 
Chocolade Oranje Schillen (Chocolate-Covered Orange Peel). These got eaten before I had a chance to get my camera. So so good!

Saucijzeletter (Sausage Letter) and Bisschop's Wijn (Bishop's Wine

Saucijzeletter (Sausage Letter) and Bisschop's Wijn (Bishop's Wine) was great together.

Bitter Ballen (Bitter Balls)

Bitter Ballen (Bitter Balls) were a lot of work but I really liked them as an appetizer. They disappear fast! After deep frying a batch of them for my family's Christmas Eve get-together, I decided to freeze and bake the rest of them a few days later. They were just as good baked as they were fried.
 
Chocolade Borstplaat (Dutch Christmas Fudge). Notice the lack of photo. Well, at the top of the recipe, it says "[...] My mother never makes it on a cloudy day [...]". It rains a lot here in the Seattle area and I got tired of waiting. I tried it, even though our back yard was filling up with water from the never-ending rain. I don't know if I or the weather was the main factor in this fudge disaster. I was stirring it and stirring it, waiting for the fudge to form it's "[...] thick thread with a ball on the end" (was not sure what that meant, but I was waiting for it). It was looking very tasty, ...couldn't wait! ...and then- POOF! It turned to a powdery mess! * I saved the powdery mess to put on top of ice cream but I have yet to try it. Looking back, it's pretty funny but I was really disappointed at the time. I had been searching all over the place for Orange Blossom Water to make the Orange Boorsplat and I was anxious to finally try it.

*Did I ever mention that I'm not a great cook? I think my cooking has improved since I started this little project though!

...and OF COURSE - Oliebollen (Dutch Oliebollen)! Mine turned out lumpy. How do you get them smooth and round? No matter the lumpiness - they were still delicious!

Oliebollen (Dutch Oliebollen)

(Sigh...) Where is my bicycle?! Must find my bike now.

Happy New Year! 

Our First St. Nicholas' Day

St Nicholas is the Christian Advent Saint of kindness and giving. He is also known as a protector of children. He was born in what is present day Turkey to wealthy parents who died while Nicholas was young. He took his inheritance and used it throughout his life to help others and especially children in need. "He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships" (www.stnicholascenter.org).  He died 06 December AD 343 but his generosity lives on.
St Nicholas Eve and Day is celebrated with games, gift giving, treats, poems and more. Learn more at www.stnicholascenter.org

Our son is three years old. I thought it would be special to bring some Dutch kids fun into our own family traditions. We did not know how to celebrate St Nicholas' Day. I read about St Nicholas and a few different Dutch family traditions for the day and we made our own fun day.
This year St. Nicholas, who recently learned of our Dutch family research, decided to take the long boat ride to the Puget Sound. He and his horse made their way from the nearest shore, up the hills and winding through the streets to our home. We told our son a couple stories of St Nicholas and Zwarte Piet (and that they would probably be pretty tired from the long boat ride). Our son left a glass of milk and wheat crackers (we didn't get a chance to make cookies or bread because our oven has been broken!) for St Nicholas and Zwarte Piet. For his horse - carrots and a bowl of water.

Our son left a glass of milk and wheat crackers
for St Nicholas and Zwarte Piet... carrots for their horse.

We left our shoes and refreshments on the porch and a bit after dinner, we heard the doorbell ring! When we opened the door, St Nicholas, Zwarte Piet and their horse had already eaten their snacks and left special treats for everyone! They left ginger snap cookies, Wilhelmina Peppermints, Kinder Bueno candy, meat sticks, Gold Coins, Pistachios, etc. They even left treats for our dogs!
We taught our son a bit about the fun of giving to others and exchanged small gifts. Candy Land, the board game, was our gift to our son. We spent most of the evening playing the game after all the excitement.

St Nicholas left treats!

 Our son loved it. It was fun for us also but I've already had some better ideas to do for next year!
I had hoped to find some Dutch kids books to give our son to help him (and us) learn some more Dutch words. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any yet. Maybe I can find some before Christmas.

If you celebrate or have celebrated St Nicholas' Day, please share your traditions in the comments below! We'd love to hear of more traditions!

Gouda & Edam Protected!

Gouda has been my favorite cheese ever since my first taste (that I remember) in Junior High School. I was doing one of my projects on how my Dutch grandfather immigrated here. I named the project Holland to America. I collected many Dutch things to include in the project - even some Gouda cheese! Even the cheese has made it from Holland to America! It is usually found at stores with a high price tag. Although, in my previous post, A Very Filling Dinner..., I mentioned that Costco carries Gouda for a very good price. Some of the Gouda's they carry are imported from Holland and others are made in New York. Out of curiosity, I always look at the package to see if it is made in Holland (though this doesn't always dictate whether I buy it or not). While many of the imitation Gouda's are very tasty, they are not made of Dutch cow's milk. Dutch cheese farmers have been fighting for a seal of authenticity to protect unsuspecting consumers from buying those imitation cheeses by mistake. Gouda and Edam cheeses will now have that seal and protected name.

Cheeses in Holland are traditionally named after the "mother-cities" where they are made from the cows that live there. However, until now, there has always been a chance of buying an "imitation Gouda" because there is no secret ingredient or recipe to make it. The Gouda's process has been followed in the US, Germany, and Poland to make imitation Gouda. Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports "the European Commission has awarded both of the cheesemaking cities [of Edam and Gouda] a Protected Geographical Indication." This special seal will ensure the cheese you have bought was made in the Dutch city of Gouda. "Dutch cheese farmers are happy with the European seal. Their age-old tradition has now finally been acknowledged in a victory over prefab supermarket cheese" RNW news desk.

Here is the Pick of the Day from RNW - Gouda and Edam cheeses protected

A Very Filling Dinner...

 I tried all of these recipes a few nights ago. It was a very filling dinner. All named dishes are from Let's Go Dutch by Johanna (van der Zeijst) Bates.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what an endive looked like and I forgot to look it up before I went to the store. The grocery store didn't have them labeled clearly, so I guessed (the cashier didn't know what they were either) - and I was right! The grocery store only had half the endive's I needed for the recipe. I made a lot of extra sauce which I used in a thrown together side-dish. This Gebakken Witlof Met Kaas was very tasty. It's nice to have a new vegetable recipe to add to my favorites.

Gebakken Witlof Met Kaas (Creamy Baked Belgium Endive)

I will never buy a boxed-scalloped-potato mix again. This Aardappelen Met Gouda Kaas En Room recipe was scrumptious! *Tip: If you are in search of a less expensive Gouda, I've found 3-4 different imported Gouda's for very good prices at the Costco store near us.

Aardappelen Met Gouda Kaas En Room (Scalloped Gouda Potatoes)

Aardappelen Met Suiker (Sugared Potatoes). This did not turn out the way I think it should have so I will try again another time. The cooking process did not go as planned - I got distracted. I used them in something else the next day.

Aardappelen Met Suiker (Sugared Potatoes)

Here is everything together (except Aardapplen Met Suiker). The Bare Little Bums in The Grass are in the "distance".
I did not get an individual shot of Blote Billetjes In Het Groen (Bare Little Bums In The Grass) because I was hungry, forgot and ate it. It was good. It is white beans mixed with french style green beans... so they look like their namesake!
I made too many white beans, so I contributed them to the other bean dish.  This side-dish was made with the other half of the endive sauce, the rest of the white beans and some ham chunks.

Clockwise from top:
Blote Billetjes In Het Groen (Bare Little Bums In The Grass),
the dish I made up (not yet named),
Aardappelen Met Gouda Kaas En Room (Scalloped Gouda Potatoes),
Gebakken Witlof Met Kaas (Creamy Baked Belgium Endive)