Dining in the Netherlands: At Home

December 25, 2021 StefanGourmet

Happy Christmas everyone! It was on December 24, 1999 that I first met my husband. Every year we celebrate our anniversary by going to a great restaurant. For some years now we’ve been going to the Librije. But due to another lockdown, our dinner at Librije was first turned into lunch and then cancelled altogether. I contemplated going to Italy, but Kees suggested we stay at home and spend the budget for dinner at Librije on wine instead. Ten minutes later I had ordered these two bottles 🙂 The wines we usually drink are in the 10-30 euros price range, … Continue reading Dining in the Netherlands: At Home

1. Antipasti (appetizers), Dutch cuisine, Secondi di Pesce (fish dishes)14 Comments

Zander with Apple Syrup and Bacon

December 21, 2021January 1, 2022 StefanGourmet

Zander is a freshwater fish with a very elegant flavor that is caught locally in the Netherlands. It is also called pikeperch or pike perch. The combination with tart apple syrup and bacon has been made famous by Jonnie Boer, … Continue reading Zander with Apple Syrup and Bacon

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)4 Comments

Ravioli del Plin al Sugo d’Arrosto (Meat Ravioli from Piemonte)

December 20, 2021 StefanGourmet

Ravioli are called agnolotti in Piemonte. Every restaurant in Piemonte has them on the menu. As is always the case with traditional recipes in Italy, there are many variations. The most important variations are with or without greens (spinach or … Continue reading Ravioli del Plin al Sugo d’Arrosto (Meat Ravioli from Piemonte)

Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)8 Comments

Pheasant Fillet Sous Vide with a Mushroom Marsala Cream Sauce

December 13, 2021December 30, 2023 StefanGourmet

Pheasant fillet dries out easily, but with sous vide it is a piece of cake to prepare it tender and juicy every time. The idea for the sauce comes from restaurant Le Due Lanterne in Nizza Monferrato, Italy. There the … Continue reading Pheasant Fillet Sous Vide with a Mushroom Marsala Cream Sauce

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)3 Comments

Fresh Pasta with Pheasant Sugo (Tagliatelle al Sugo di Fagiano)

December 12, 2021 StefanGourmet

Last September on vacation in Italy, I enjoyed fresh pasta with a pheasant sugo at one of my favorite restaurants in Italy, Danêl Ai Cacciatori in Friuli. This was a pasta sauce without tomato, or not really a sauce actually, … Continue reading Fresh Pasta with Pheasant Sugo (Tagliatelle al Sugo di Fagiano)

Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)6 Comments

Veal Cheeks Sous Vide (Guancialino brasato)

December 10, 2021October 31, 2023 StefanGourmet

After enjoying pork cheeks during our trip to Portugal last year, this year in Italy we had several different renditions of veal cheeks. The veal cheeks we had at Mariella were amazingly tender and flavorful, so back home I wanted … Continue reading Veal Cheeks Sous Vide (Guancialino brasato)

1. Antipasti (appetizers)7 Comments

Flan di Zucchine

December 7, 2021November 23, 2024 StefanGourmet

Flan di zucchine is a typical dish from Piemonte that we enjoyed at Due Lanterne in Nizza Monferrato. It is a savory flan (pudding) filled with zucchini and served with a lukewarm tomato salsa, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. … Continue reading Flan di Zucchine

Eating4 Comments

Dining in Italy: D’O**

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021 StefanGourmet

D’O is the restaurant of chef Davide Oldani in the town of San Pietro all’Olmo, just outside of Milano. The restaurant does not only hold two regular Michelin stars, but also one green star for sustainability. There are three degustation … Continue reading Dining in Italy: D’O**

1. Antipasti (appetizers), Secondi di Pesce (fish dishes)8 Comments

Cappon Magro Sous Vide (Stack of Fish and Vegetables with Green Sauce from Liguria)

November 14, 2021 StefanGourmet

Cappon Magro is a delicious and special dish from Liguria with fish and vegetables. It is on the menu in Liguria for special occasions such as the holidays. The name means “lean capon”, which indicates that it was an alternative … Continue reading Cappon Magro Sous Vide (Stack of Fish and Vegetables with Green Sauce from Liguria)

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)9 Comments

Risotto alle Vongole

October 24, 2021October 24, 2021 StefanGourmet

We love vongole and we love risotto, so risotto alle vongole hits all the right buttons. I opted to prepare it in bianco, without tomato, to allow the vongole to shine. The clams come with their own built-in stock, which … Continue reading Risotto alle Vongole

1. Antipasti (appetizers)8 Comments

Crab, Foie Gras, and Kohlrabi

October 10, 2021 StefanGourmet

Although the inspiration for this dish came from our latest dinner at the Librije, this is not an attempt to recreate the dish from the restaurant. It is a ‘taco’ of kohlrabi stuffed with foie gras and crab dressed with … Continue reading Crab, Foie Gras, and Kohlrabi

Asian cuisine4 Comments

Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Pork and Shrimp (Gỏi Cuốn Tôm Thịt)

October 3, 2021 StefanGourmet

There are two main kinds of Vietnamese spring rolls: deep fried, and ‘uncooked’. The shrimp and meat in those is actually cooked, but otherwise these Vietnamese spring rolls are a fresh appetizer that is served at room temperature. Traditionally the … Continue reading Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Pork and Shrimp (Gỏi Cuốn Tôm Thịt)

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)3 Comments

Fresh Spinach Pasta with Sausage Ragù (Gnocchetti Verdi con Ragù di Salsiccia)

September 21, 2021 StefanGourmet

The first dish from our trip that I tried to make at home was gnocchetti verdi con ragù di salsiccia, like we had at Due Lanterne. It is a bit of work to make the small pasta dumplings by hand, … Continue reading Fresh Spinach Pasta with Sausage Ragù (Gnocchetti Verdi con Ragù di Salsiccia)

Eating3 Comments

Dining in Italy: Laite* (2021)

September 11, 2021 StefanGourmet

This was our 4th visit to Laite, a restaurant in the ski resort town of Sappada in the North-East of Italy, close to the Austrian border. Just the way the restaurant looks tells you that Austria is not far away. … Continue reading Dining in Italy: Laite* (2021)

Asian cuisine2 Comments

Thai Eggplant and Chicken Stir Fry with Nam Prik Pao and Basil

July 26, 2021 StefanGourmet

I’ve only recently discovered this dish, and absolutely love it. It has great depth of flavor. If you have already made the Nam Phrik Phao, then most of the work is in pan frying (or oven roasting) the eggplant. We … Continue reading Thai Eggplant and Chicken Stir Fry with Nam Prik Pao and Basil

Wine9 Comments

Pairing Food and Wines of Bisci

July 21, 2021July 21, 2021 StefanGourmet

Because of the pandemic I haven’t visited any wineries for a while, but luckily the nice people of Bisci Wines contacted me. They were enthusiastic about the recipes I have posted that pair well with Verdicchio, and offered to send … Continue reading Pairing Food and Wines of Bisci

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)10 Comments

Pasta with Slow-Roasted Cauliflower (Orecchiette al Cavolfiore)

July 20, 2021November 22, 2024 StefanGourmet

This is what we’ve just had for dinner, or as the primo piatto to be more precise (with a flat iron steak as secondo piatto): orecchiette pasta with slow-roasted cauliflower, capers, anchovies, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, parsley, and … Continue reading Pasta with Slow-Roasted Cauliflower (Orecchiette al Cavolfiore)

Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)7 Comments

Lamb with Mint Sauce and Green Asparagus

July 13, 2021 StefanGourmet

Due to the pandemic I can’t visit wineries, but thankfully sometimes a winery sends over some samples. I will write more about the wines of Bisci from Matelic from the Marche region in Italy in my next post. Their 2017 … Continue reading Lamb with Mint Sauce and Green Asparagus

1. Antipasti (appetizers)2 Comments

Sous vide baby carrots with bulgur, goat cheese, and pistachios

June 20, 2021 StefanGourmet

This elegant vegetarian appetizer was inspired by a more elaborate version we enjoyed at Alma** in Lisbon. The combination of flavors and textures is very nice. The sweetness of the carrots goes well with the tartness of the goat cheese … Continue reading Sous vide baby carrots with bulgur, goat cheese, and pistachios

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)6 Comments

Pasta with Sausage and Fennel (Gnocchetti Sardi con Salsiccia e Finocchio)

June 13, 2021June 13, 2021 StefanGourmet

Pasta with sausage and fennel is one of our favorite pasta dishes, that I prepare on a regular basis. The flavors of the fennel, fennel seed, sausage, and pecorino cheese blend into one fantastic flavor. I like to prepare it … Continue reading Pasta with Sausage and Fennel (Gnocchetti Sardi con Salsiccia e Finocchio)

Baking3 Comments

Strawberry Frangipane Cake

May 15, 2021November 23, 2024 StefanGourmet

Frangipane is a cream of ground almonds with sugar, eggs, and butter, and is a common ingredient in cakes. In the Netherlands strawberry cakes are often made in an elongated shape, are made with frangipane, and then called “aardbeienslof”. They … Continue reading Strawberry Frangipane Cake

Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)2 Comments

Veal scaloppine with eggplant and mozzarella (Involtini di vitello con melanzane e mozzarella)

May 2, 2021 StefanGourmet

Eggplant with mozzarella, basil, and tomato is one of my favorite flavor combinations. In this dish, veal scaloppine are added to make a luxurious dish that is worth of a special occasion. I’ve blogged about this dish before, but back … Continue reading Veal scaloppine with eggplant and mozzarella (Involtini di vitello con melanzane e mozzarella)

Secondi di Pesce (fish dishes)4 Comments

Portuguese Lobster Rice (Arroz de Lagosta)

April 18, 2021 StefanGourmet

Arroz de marisco is a Portuguese seafood dish of rice with seafood that is like a soupy version of risotto. Click here for the regular recipe. For a more luxurious version, you can also make it with lobster, and then … Continue reading Portuguese Lobster Rice (Arroz de Lagosta)

1. Antipasti (appetizers), Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)11 Comments

Vitello Tonnato Sous Vide

March 21, 2021November 13, 2022 StefanGourmet

Vitello Tonnato is one of those classic dishes that are not ‘trendy’, but that I keep preparing because they are so delicious. It is originally from the Italian region of Piemonte. My blogging friend Stefano recommended this book about Piemontese … Continue reading Vitello Tonnato Sous Vide

4. Dolci (dessert), Baking13 Comments

Orange Cake (Torta all’Arancia)

January 31, 2021January 31, 2021 StefanGourmet

This orange cake is simple to make but has a special flavor because of the orange juice, orange zest, and orange syrup. I’ve made it using this Italian recipe, with some minor changes. It is great for breakfast (very Italian … Continue reading Orange Cake (Torta all’Arancia)

1. Antipasti (appetizers), Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)4 Comments

Duck Breast and Sunchokes Sous-Vide With Mushrooms and Five Spice

January 16, 2021January 16, 2021 StefanGourmet

I enjoy cooking, but it is also a great pleasure if someone cooks for me for a change. I appreciate it all the more because it can be nerve-wracking or at least intimidating to cook for a more experienced cook. … Continue reading Duck Breast and Sunchokes Sous-Vide With Mushrooms and Five Spice

1. Antipasti (appetizers), Secondi di Pesce (fish dishes)8 Comments

Lobster Thermidor

January 4, 2021January 4, 2021 StefanGourmet

Lobster Thermidor is a classic French dish that I had not prepared before. Now I regret that, because it is really delicious and I will definitely make it again. As I am somewhat of an ‘adopted Italian’, I don’t tend … Continue reading Lobster Thermidor

1. Antipasti (appetizers)3 Comments

Sous-Vide version of Layered Foie Gras, Smoked Eel, and Green Apple

December 24, 2020December 24, 2020 StefanGourmet

This decadent appetizer was inspired by the signature appetizer of Martín Berasategui, three Michelin star chef from San Sebastian (Spain), “Mille-feuille of smoked eel, foie-gras, spring onions and green apple”. The combination of foie gras with smoked eel and green … Continue reading Sous-Vide version of Layered Foie Gras, Smoked Eel, and Green Apple

4. Dolci (dessert)5 Comments

Dark Chocolate and Passion Fruit Tartlet

December 5, 2020December 5, 2020 StefanGourmet

I really liked the combination of dark chocolate and passion fruit at Casa Velha in Portugal, so back home I developed a recipe based upon that idea without trying to copy the dish at Casa Velha. The end result was … Continue reading Dark Chocolate and Passion Fruit Tartlet