bye bye

One of the most charming things in Amsterdam has disappeared. The small boat that brought people from central station Amsterdam to the Java-Island and back, for years, had to go because of economical reasons . I'm romantic and my choises are seldom made out of an economical point of view. So I totally don't understand this action. I will certainly miss the opportunity to enjoy the sun and the water and the different views on the city during the crossing. I truly hope that the people that made this decision come to their senses and put the Java-boat back into the water again.

IJ

Need I say more ?

Haarlemmer straat/dijk

Qua bruisend Amsterdam kun je met een gerust hart naar de Haarlemmerstraat en Haarlemmerdijk. Al jaren begin ik mijn zaterdagochtend daar met een heerlijke latte van de CoffeeCompany of van tramezzino .Je vindt er geweldig brood van het Vlaamsch Broodhuys of nieuwe aanwinsten in de Kookboekhandel. Na de renovatie ,is de lange straat/dijk er enorm op vooruitgegaan. Op een of andere manier zijn de culinaire winkels ruim vertegenwoordigd. Samen organiseren ze ook dit jaar weer de New Food Fair . Het evenement vindt plaats op zaterdag 1 september van 10 - 18 uur.

If you want to enjoy vibrant Amsterdam, visit Haarlemmerstraat/dijk. Since years I start my saturdaymorning here with a nice latte from the CoffeeCompany or tramezzino's. You'll find wonderful bread at the Vlaamsch Broodhuys or new titles at the kookboekhandel. After renovation of this long street it has improved a lot . One way or another there are many foodshops. Together they organize again this year the New Food Fair. The event takes place this saturday the first of september from 10 am till 6 pm.

Gavottes

Searching for the French producer of my favourite biscuits I found some photo's that where linked with my searchitem "Gavottes". On the photo in the middle you see Gavottes that are not at all eatable but I simply love the photograph. By the way the baker of these glorious, crispy crepes dentelles is Loc maria from the French city Dinan.

ratatouille preview

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=NwrJjLDIj1w

ratatouille

Don't miss Ratatouille !!! A wonderful film, made like a perfect dish. All the right ingredients for 110 minutes of entertainment for everyone. The charming little chef steels your heart, puts a smile on your face and fills the room with laughter. Go and see it. Look for the Ratatouille recipe at :
"beschuit met aardbeien".

"Everyone can cook!"

enemies part two

This looks so good !

the enemies

For the fourth night in a row I woke up much to early in the morning by the itching of mosquito bites. They drive me crazy. It is always good to know your enemies and therefore I googled them on the internet. So far it doesn´t do me any good. They are still there. Sneaky, mean and invisible.

repas sur l'herbe

A few months ago I got an invitation for a double birthdayparty in Normandie France. On the 11th of August we sat down at long tables together with fifty other guests to enjoy the French dinner, wine, company and fireworks. Life can be great sometimes !

foodblog

For Dutch readers of this blog

I started a foodblog called
"beschuit met aardbeien".

french cuisine

I'm back !

Together with a few of my favourite things from the French Supermarche

En route !

I'm off

mutsje

for cyber babies

want one ? go to the google store

potted shrimps

Since it was my birthday yesterday, my friend Pieter invited me for lunch at Gartine. This tiny breakfast/lunch/tea-restaurant in the centre of Amsterdam is run by a friendly couple that cookes and bakes with love. Today I had toast with potted shrimps and a salad.

the recipe

Ingredients100g/4oz butter

2 blades of mace (foelie)

a good pinch of cayenne pepper

freshly grated nutmeg

570ml/1 pint peeled brown shrimps

6tbsp clarified butter

Method

1. Put the butter, mace, cayenne pepper and a little grated nutmeg into a medium-sized pan and leave to melt over a gentle heat.

2. Add the peeled shrimps and stir over the heat for a couple of minutes until they have heated through, but don't let the mixture boil.

3. Remove the mace and divide the shrimps and butter between 6 small ramekins. Level the tops and then leave them to set in the fridge.

4. Spoon over a thin layer of clarified butter and leave to set once more. Serve with plenty of brown toast or crusty brown bread.

by Rick Stein

from Seafood Odyssey

Serves 6