Belgian Cuisine A True Variety

Belgian cuisine is often overlooked.It's not as suave and sophisticated as French or as internationally known as Italian or German.However it has provided the world with two favorite dishes as well as a cornucopia of land and sea dishes.It employs almost every ingredient from both bounties. What's the favorite standby that Beligans have given the world?There's actually two ,the French fry and the waffle.Fries have been made since the potato's introduction to Europe.They were first written about in 1680 and they originated around the area of the Meuse River in the central part of the country ( at this point Belgium didn't exist.It was a manufactured country thanks to the Napoleonic Wars).They are served in a cone ,with a side of mayo, or curry ketchup, or both.They're sometimes served with a frikandel ,a minced meat hot dog and recent addition to Belgian street fare.Waffles ,another world beloved treat,that comes from the Dutch or Fleming side of the country.Americans were first introduced to them at the Seattle World's Fair of 1962 and the New York World's Fair of 1964.They are a waffle served with whipped cream and strawberries but can also be served with ice cream and a bitter chocolate sauce.They're usually eaten as a dessert or snack.They are different from the American kind because they are made with egg whites or yeast to give them a lighter, crispier texture as well as a lighter taste. The Belgians love mussels or moules, as they're called figure prominently in their cuisine.They are usually steamed with onions and celery along with white wine and served with frites or fries.They are a wonderful fragrant dish ,briny with the taste of fresh caught mussels.Waterzooie is another hearty dish.This is a stew made with chicken or fish, eggs, cream and vegetables.It's associated with the historic city of Ghent.Another popular dish is carbonade flamande,a Belgian beef stew similar to the French Bouef Bourguinon, but made with a dark ,earthy beer instead of red wine.Served with bread or fries along with mustard.The French influence is also felt in boudin,a sausage made with a fine blend of meat, blood and breadcrumbs.It's usually eaten with potatoes and various vegetables. Dessert could be anything from rice pudding to lush Belgian chocolates to crisp cinnamon laced shortbread cookies and sugar drenched doughnuts. Belgian cuisine is varied and flavorful. It has the best of the sea and the land. It also has given the worlds it's favorite treats, waffles and fries.