Belgian food

The healthy food is made by people who cook with passion and love. That is proven so many times here in the restaurant of de Hoge Rielen by guests` words of appreciation, children`s songs and drawings for the kitchen staff. 

Belgian food is lekker (tasty)!  Smakelijk (Bon appetit)! Proost (cheers)! 

Gentse waterzooi  

              

Its name derives from the Dutch term "zooien" meaning "to boil". It is sometimes called Gentse Waterzooi which refers to the Belgian town of Ghent where it originated (Ghent is also famous by the music festival in July Gentse Feesten). The original dish is often made of fish, either freshwater or sea. 

Mosselen      

Blue mussels are filters and play a vital role in removing bacteria and toxins. It is very easy for preparation. 

Frieten (Belgian French Fries) 

Some Belgians believe that the term "French" was introduced when American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I and consequently tasted Belgian fries. They supposedly called them "French", as it was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time. The term "French fries" was growing popular but there is also a name Vlaamse frieten or Flemish fries.

Appelmoes                                      

Apple sauce is made of peeled or unpeeled apples and a variety of spices (cinnamon...) as well as sugar or honey. It usually accompanies fries. 

Frikadellen met krieken                   

Another  Belgian dish with contrasting tastes, the saltiness of the meatballs goes great with the tangy sweetness of the sour cherries! In the past, and also today, this was/is a dish eaten at festive occasions, town fairs, family parties... It can be a desert or the main course.

Pure chocolade                           

Belgian chocolate has been the food of champions, a lure for lovers, the indulgence of the rich and later, the favorite of the masses. Over 172,000 tons of chocolate is produced per year with more than 2,000 chocolate shops throughout Belgium.

Brusselse wafels  

‘’Wafla’’ means honeycomb or cake. It is cooked in a waffle iron patterned to give a characteristic size, shape and surface impression. There are many variations based on the type of iron and recipe used, with over a dozen regional varieties in Belgium. 

Pintje bier (Trappist, Dubbel, Pills...) 

There are approximately 178 breweries in Belgium, ranging from international giants to microbreweries. For a beer to qualify for Trappist certification, the brewery must be in a monastery, the monks must play a role in its production and the policies and the profits from the sale must be used to support the monastery and/or social programs outside. Beers vary from the strongest 11% alcohol ones to ladies fruit taste ones with 2 %.

                                                                      Dank u Hanne Jacobs, Kevin and Google.