Articles Index
Pasen (Dutch Easter)
The Netherlands has a history as a Christian nation, and therefore the Christian holiday calender is followed here. Easter, a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ two days after his crucifixion is celebrated much in the same way as in other Christian countries. You’ll find the same penchant for chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts in Holland, but there are a few Easter traditions unique to the Netherlands.
What to Eat in February in the Netherlands
Learn more about which fruits, vegetables, venison and seafoods are in season in February.
What to Eat in January in the Netherlands
Learn more about which fruits, vegetables, venison and seafoods are in season this month.
Kerstfeest (Christmas in Holland)
Christmas is celebrated over two days in the Netherlands, i.e. 'Eerste Kerstdag' (First Christmas Day) on December 25 and 'Tweede Kerstdag' (Second Christmas Day) on December 26, both of which are public holidays. Christmas in Holland is not centered on Santa Claus, crazy commercialism and gift-giving, but on the family and the ambiance of the holiday.
The Story of Sinterklaas
The Dutch celebrate the feast day of Sinterklaas on Dec. 5 and 6 to commemorate the life of St. Nicholas.
Dutch New Year (Oud en Nieuw )
New Year in the Netherlands consists of New Year’s Eve on December 31 and New Year’s Day, a public holiday, on January 1. The Dutch celebrate it much the same as in many other Western countries, but there are a few special treats unique to the Netherlands, such as 'oliebollen' and 'appelflappen' that are certainly worth trying.
The History of Dutch Food
A look at the history of food in the Netherlands - from the glory of the Golden Age through Holland's subsequent frugal phase and to today's slow culinary awakening.
Nutrient-Rich Recipes from the Netherlands
We've all heard of them, the so-called 'superfoods', or foods with a significantly higher nutritional value than most others. But instead of hunting down exotic fruits such as goji berries, mangosteen or acai to get healthier - simply head to your local supermarket and buy everyday whole foods that happen to be nutrient-rich, too.
Edible Expressions from the Netherlands
Idiomatic expressions add local flavor to language, and those expressions that relate to food perhaps reflect a nation's eating culture most of all. Here is our (non-exhaustive) list of food-related Dutch idioms, proverbs and sayings.
Top Dutch Food Trends for 2012
The main Dutch food & dining trends for 2012 seem to have been greatly influenced by the economic downturn. Unsurprisingly, the theme is quality over quantity, with a return to cosy home cooking and personalized dining experiences.
Say Cheese!
Holland is renowned for its excellent cheese. I offer an overview of the most important varieties of Dutch cheese, what they taste like, what to look out for and where to buy them.
Queen's Day
On April 30, Holland erups into one giant orange-clad street party. The excuse? To celebrate the Queen's birthday. Welcome to the Orange Madness that is 'Koninginnedag'!
10 Best Restaurants in Amsterdam for Dutch Cuisine
While it's still easier to find Indonesian, French or Italian restaurants in Amsterdam than eateries that dish up the city's native cuisine, local food is making a comeback as young Dutch chefs embrace their roots. My overview of restaurants that serve Dutch food runs the gamut from very cheap to very expensive, and includes restaurants that cook traditional Dutch dishes (sometimes with a twist) and eateries that use local ingredients in interesting new ways.
Sint-Maarten holiday
In a feast similar to American Halloween, small Dutch children take to the streets on November 11 with flickering little lanterns to sing songs and recite poems. As a reward for their efforts, the kids receive candy and sweet treats.
The Story of Licorice
You either love the aromatic flavor of licorice or you hate it. The Dutch are a nation obsessed. Join me as I delve into this worship of the dark candy, and find out how it's made.
Dutch Cookbook Measurements
Have you recently bought a Dutch cookbook and your limited Dutch skills are prohibiting you from using it? Then my list of basic Dutch measurements, ingredients, terms and methods (and their equivalents in English) may just be something for you. For conversions from metric to decimal and vice versa, I recommend using a Weight to Volume Calculator.
Forgotten Vegetables
Old is the new 'new' in the vegetable world these days. What could be more fun than learning to cook with 'new' ingredients that have actually been around for a long time? Now that these forgotten veggies, like celeriac, parsnips and black salsify are becoming available again, they have quickly become part of my everyday cooking repertoire. Try these vegetables, they deserve to be remembered.
Culinary Influences on the Dutch Kitchen
What do the Persians, Romans, French, Spanish, Indonesians, Surinamese, Moroccans and Turkish have in common? They have all stamped their influence on the Dutch kitchen. Holland, in turn, has left a culinary legacy behind in some parts of the world.
3 x Nice 'n Sweet in Utrecht
This list of three cake shops in Utrecht is a typical example of the 3x list format that is found throughout Foodloversguide NL.
Handy Substitutes for Dutch Ingredients
Perhaps you've come across a foreign looking ingredient in a Dutch recipe and you don't know how to find it, or you would like a local equivalent? Or, perhaps you're a Dutch expat trying to make an old favorite from back home without access to trusty old ingredients? Either way, I'm here to help with a handy list of substitutes for Dutch ingredients.