My Dutch Windmill

ourwindmill

Yes.  When you think of landscapes in the Netherlands, you expect windmills.  It’s almost cliche.  Except this windmill was located right next to the house I rented when I lived there for a little over two years.   That’s right.  My landlord owned it and and the house and if you looked out our office window, there it was in all it’s glory only 20 feet away.  So, this windmill is a little nostalgic for us.  It is still in excellent shape, and my landlord would let it run every few weeks, but he didn’t use it to grind or [...]

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The Famous Chocolate Balls of Jan de Groot

Chocolade Bolletjes in S'Hertogenbosch

Chocolade Bolletjes in S'Hertogenbosch

I was visiting a friend, and we went to the Netherlands to see some of both hers and my old stomping grounds.  She took me to S’Hertogenbosch or just “Den Bos” to locals where her family has a long history.  Most of her ancestors had been bakers and one famous guy, Jan De Groot, apparently came up with a recipe for a chocolate ball pastry which became all the rage.  Jan de Groot created the chocolade bolletje around the 1930, and the recipe has been handed down carefully from generation to generation, so now only [...]

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De Pannekoekenbakker – Restaurant Review

Pannekoekenbakker

I would have to say that one of the Dutch foods that I love so well is pancakes.  I know, lots of countries do pancakes…but not like the Dutch.  They make a meal out of them–morning, noon, and night.  You can see signs for pancakes everywhere you go in Holland.  They are thinner than the pancakes I’m used to in the U.S., plus they are the size of a medium pizza.  One pancake per person. 

I lived in Zeeloand bei Uden for a little over two years, and I would go to the local branch (yes, it’s a chain) of De [...]

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