Topics discussed over Prosecco (Italian Champagne or something like it) and noodles tonight in West Amsterdam's 9 Canal district.
1. Dutch people have no fashion sense
What's the issue?
Surrounded by the chic french, somewhat showy italians, and the design concious Scandanavians, the dutch seem to have picked up a taste for the... tacky,mismatched (and not in a "stylish-put-together-pret-a-porte kind of way" - think Orange Crocs, and green jeans) Gulp. It feels wrong just talking about it.
Verdict: 3 Australian girls from Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney, and a French lad agree, and have no idea why, despite the geographical proximity to style, it somewhat proves, nature over nurture. You can pump the country with all the designer labels, and magazines you want, I think genetically, they have no idea how to wear it with class.
2. Fresh Mint leaf "tea"
What's the issue?
A large fistful of fresh mint leaves, with hot water poured over it. It makes me gag every time I smell it here, and that means quite often, because it's currently a la mode. I think they think it's peppermint tea. How can a race of people, over a 300 year period, attempt to colonise a kingdom of 2000 islands (ie Indonesia) whose terrain bears nothing but the best spices, tea and coffee, and still not know what a decent beverage tastes like? Dumb, Lazy or Greedy? I guess they were just trading the shit, and fobbing it off to other Europeans, not actually interested in what it tasted like, in case, you know, they actually developed some sort of class.
Verdict: The jury agrees that global flavours bypassed the dutch way back in the day, just like fashion does today. It might be too late for them to "get it." Poor things.
3. Decent Food
What' s the issue?
Fried french fries in mayonnaise? Ok, they stole that from the Belgians.
Nasi Goreng? Oh yeah, they stole that from the Indonesians. As well as Fu Yong Hai, Babi Guling, Satays .... need I go on?
Deep fried Cheese straws? Dutch.
Deep fried meat? Dutch
Deep Fried Bitterball things (apparently made froma thickened white sauce and bits of veal, rolled together, crumbed and deep fried, and served with Mustard dip)? Dutch.
Mini pancakes with icing sugar? Please. Even the Americans know how to make that. That's not culture.
See both my rants above for more point about this. (Ie. Despite proximity to some of the best food cultures in the world, the Dutch were busy trying take over the world and failing to notice there was something horribly wrong with what they were eating.) Spices? None. Taste? Bland. (Tried to conquer Indonesia, land of spices and exotic flavours, and their favourite food now is fried potatoes with mayo. Pffft. Revenge is sweet.)
Apparently Dutch people have the most deep fryers in their households (per capita), than anywhere else in the world. Over the Americans.
I have been told that pre WW2, Dutch cooking was highly influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French etc. Then after the war, a whole generation of young ladies were hauled off to Home Economics school where they were taught to cook with more bang for their buck. Which meant, highly fillings foods for not much money. Carbs essentially. Flavour optional. In fact, I am also told that the Dutch lunch of choice is bread roll, with a slice of cheese. No butter, no condiments, no meat, no salad. They aren't used to having two warm meals a day, thus, breakfast and lunch are always cold.
Verdict: 4 foodies all agreed, it must be our new mission to seek good food in this gastronomically starved capital.
I want to learn more! Interesting society.
PS It might sound like I am being slightly rude, harsh, and presumably bitter about the whole Indonesia thing, but, seriously, it's all for shits and giggles. :P
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