My one true love!
On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays the two town squares fill with a variety of fabulous stalls. In one square there are flower and fabric stalls everywhere and the other square is where you'll find me - with the food. There are a variety of fruit and veg stalls with cheap, fresh produce as well as stalls with every kind of food you could ask for. . . did I mention it's really cheap? One stall sells only potatoes - whatever potato you want, they've got it - another is devoted to spices and herbs, the smells of which waft over towards the fish stalls where they sell freshly grilled fish and chips in paper cones. As you delve further into the markets there is a stall devoted to dried fruit and nuts, another with all kind of antipasti, and of course, cheese, cheese, cheese.
I struggle to cycle home after my trip to the Vismarkt - partially because of all the shopping and partially because I can't help but stuff myself with friet en mayo while I browse - and take over far more than my one shelf in the fridge, however it's always worth it as I eat like a queen for the rest of the week.
In the complete opposite direction to the Vismarkt, is Jumbo. Or as the Dutch call it 'Yumbo'.
It is one of the most daunting supermarkets I have ever been in. There are floor to ceiling walls stacked with Fanta. Any type of Fanta and any other soft drink you like! You pick up your own barcode scanner as you walk in and scan everything yourself! They even have those fantastic things that you weigh and price your own vegetables on. It's so much fun! I find it incredibly overwhelming however, what a large packaged business it is. There is only a small selection of vegetables that are not prepackaged, and in the meat section I have no idea what cut it is, let alone where it came from! It has truly opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be able to source fresh, local produce at home.
I have been going to town on my meals to the point that I am sure everyone who shares my kitchen with me thinks that I am an absolute freak. I have spent hours in there making delicious lentil patties (I'll post the recipe below as you HAVE to try these), burrito mix, strawberry compote, muesli, granola, fruit salad, you name it! I have been totally inspired by a number of food blogs that encourage clean, healthy eating, many of which are gluten free. In my first week I hunted down the health food stores such that my shelves at home are now overflowing with quinoa, nuts, grains, meals and other such things.
Student meals you say? What's that.
Today's meal? Homemade Bircher muesli, lentil patty with salad and delicious creamy carrot and leek soup.
Gluten free adaptation of Rose's quinoa patties (check out her beautiful blog dasher design)
Ingredients:
Quinoa (keen-wah)
Red Lentils
Gluten free bread crumbs
2 eggs
zucchini
carrot
spring onions
alfalfa sprouts
garlic
fresh red chilli
parmesan
cumin
paprika
salt and pepper
I haven't said quantities as I have NO idea how much of anything I put in, but you're clever you can figure it out.
Method:
Cook quinoa. I think I did a cup uncooked, Which will make about 2 cups cooked. To cook the quinoa add equal parts quinoa and liquid - you can use water or stock - bring to the boil, simmer for 10-15 minutes then clamp the lid on with the heat off for another 10-15 mins. This is how I do it, the internet or packet may have better ideas.
Cook lentils until soft.
Whilst your grains are cooking away. . . .
Rinse beans - you don't want the gross gluggy salty stuff their covered in (that's what gives you gas!)
Grate carrot and zucchini (I used 2 smallish carrots and half a zucchini) then squeeze the liquid out.
Chop garlic, chilli and onion.
Mix all above ingredients together.
Grate in parmesan.
Season with paprika, cumin, salt and pepper.
Crack eggs in and mix.
Add breadcrumbs until the mixture will stick together and make nice little ball/patty things.
Fry on pan with oil (I used coconut - it has a higher melting point than others and is very good for you!)
Enjoy, or Freeze and enjoy later!
strawberries for my strawberry compote
that's the kind of sign i like to see, the one thing i wish i could bring with me is my black furry friend
fresh fruit salad in a jar - handy!
my first attempt at sushi
cheese
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