Your Favorite Dutch Food.

Bitterballen is the only thing I can remember that my Grandmother use to cook for us. Savory creamy meatballs would be an appropriate translation of the word 'bitterballen'. These deep-fried meatballs are filled with a beef ragout and have a crispy outside. They are often served at cocktail parties or as a snack with a pre-dinner drink. You eat these tasty deep-fried morsels hot, on a toothpick, dipped in mustard. Here is a recipe for those who would like to try them. Bitterballen (Meatball Hors d'Oeuvre) 4 Tbs butter or margarine 1/2 lb ground beef or veal 1/4 cup finely diced carrot 1/2 cup finely chopped onion Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste A grating of fresh nutmeg 1 Tbs fresh lemon juice 2 Tbs finely chopped parsley 5 Tbs all-purpose flour 1 cup beef broth or milk 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs 1 egg, beaten with 1 tsp water Oil for deep frying Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat and cook the meat, carrots, and onions until the meat is browned and the carrots are tender. Drain the meat in a colander, then place in a mixing bowl. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, lemon juice, and parsley and stir to combine. Set the meat mixture aside. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over moderate heat and stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook this for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the beef broth or milk. Continue heating, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and becomes quite thick. Combine the sauce with the meat mixture, stirring to combine them thoroughly, and chill this mixture for at least two hours in the refrigerator, until it has become solid. When the mixture has solidified, roll it into balls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, using your hands. Roll the balls in the bread crumbs, then in the egg and water mixture, then in the bread crumbs again. Fry a few at a time in a deep fryer with at least 2 inches of oil at 375F until golden (about 2 to 3 minutes). Drain on paper towels and serve immediately. You can find this and some other dutch recipes on this website. http://www.wwrecipes.com/dutch_recipes.htm

Isn't it strange I have never thought what cuisine the Dutch people have, I have never heard of a Dutch restaurant, I will be very interested in what replies you get, I really would like yo know what sort of national food they have...