Basics of Belgian Cuisine

a butcher shop and deli in Leuven specializing in "game and poultry"

Our experience of food in Belgium has been one of having our stereotypes confirmed: people here really do consume vast amounts of french fries, mayonnaise, chocolate, waffles, and beer at all times of day and night. Chocolate at breakfast and beer before lunch are totally common occurrences. Mayonnaise in all its flavors works its way into almost everything, it seems, and figures prominently as the preferred dipping sauce for french fries, which are an acceptable snack at any time. Waffles are commonly eaten as a snack or a dessert-type food, and aren't typically taken at breakfast.  

Belgian eating habits are pretty similar to those of Americans: here most people eat a light breakfast, a medium lunch, and a large dinner. Dinner is not taken very late (by European standards). Judging by what I've noticed walking past restaurants, it's common to eat around 7 or maybe 8 pm, but not much later. This is in contrast especially to many Mediterranean countries, where lunch is the main meal of the day, followed by an afternoon nap, and dinner is taken quite late -- sometimes even at 10 or 11 pm! 

Later we'll post more about french fries, mayonnaise, chocolate, waffles, and beer...but for now we wanted to share a few examples of typical dishes that you may have never heard of before. These are standards on any restaurant menu and are also common foods to prepare at home. In general, the cuisine is quite similar to that of neighboring countries, with a few Belgian tweaks. For example, dishes that might be made with wine in France are, of course, made with (and served with!) beer in Belgium. And french fries are the standard carbohydrate of choice to accompany any main dish. 

photo courtesy of: http://www.plat-du-jour.net/recettes/entrees/tomate-aux-crevettes/

tomate-crevette / tomaat-garnaal : a hollowed out plain raw tomato stuffed with small cooked grey shrimp (crevettes grises / grijze garnaal) from the North Sea mixed with mayonnaise. We've seen this as a starter on many restaurant menus.

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

moules frites / mosselen-friet : mussels steamed together with onions and celery (or sometimes with a fancier sauce), served with french fries (of course!); many consider this Belgium's national dish. It is available pretty much everywhere, especially at this time of year when mussels are in season. The grocery store even has a display case where they are selling packages of fresh cleaned mussels, prepared packets of cut celery and onions, and bags of peeled potatoes cut and ready to be fried. I've seen a number of people run into the store, grab a bag of each, and head home equipped to prepare a quick dinner. 

photo courtesy of Food Network

waterzooi : a rich soup or stew made of chicken or, more traditionally, fish with a base of cream and egg yolks. This dish originated in Ghent and is decidedly Flemish. 

http://www.break-point.info/wp/?menu-food=filet-americain-prepare

filet américain : contrary to what it sounds like, this is NOT an American-style steak! It's the Belgian version of steak tartare: finely minced raw beef, eaten cold and often spread on bread. Here it's usually served with sauce américaine  (yet another flavored mayonnaise) and...wait for it...french fries! Sometimes it is mixed with raw onions and capers, like a more traditional steak tartare. We've seen this on many restaurant menus and it's available from the deli counter at the local grocery store.

http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/discover/flanders/flemish-specialities/stoemp/

stoemp : another very Flemish dish, stoemp is a simple side of mashed potato with other vegetables such as Belgian endive (chicory), Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, kale, spinach, or other greens. It's similar to the Irish colcannon. It's typically served with sausages, which are one of the most beloved protein sources in Belgium, or maybe with bacon. Or, as pictured here, with both! 

http://www.een.be/programmas/dagelijkse-kost/recepten/stoofvlees-met-friet

carbonnades flamandes / stoverij : here is an example of a classic French dish prepared in a Belgian way. This beef stew is basically beef bourguignon, but made with beer instead of red wine, and served with french fries and more beer to wash it all down. Mustard is a common accompaniment, but in the photo above, it seems they chose mayonnaise instead. Are you surprised?