Traditional and cheap dishes

[Goodwatch]

Because my brother is a chef and has cooked even for 1 Michelin star restaurants and a couple of family members have worked all of their lives in restaurants I have had the opportunity to eat fine foods, both at home and abroad quite often. We eat out in a good restaurant every month. There’s a 3 star restaurant in Rotterdam, Parkheuvel, that is on our list to visit at least once in our lifetime. Don’t think about the money you have to plunk down, just think about that special and romantic evening.

But there’s another side as well. I thoroughly enjoy the simple dishes of my youth. Today I made a classic dish: boiled cod in mustard sauce with young carrots and potatoes. Nothing posh, nothing special. It was the food common people ate when I was young. Man, I had two helpings and can still taste it. There are many more, often typically Dutch, dishes I love very much. Do you have the same experience? Anne sometimes makes what she calls “poor food”, usually made from leftovers or cheap ingredients. But boy, how this food can taste sweet! Any typical and traditional ‘cheap’ dishes from your respective countries?

What I’m still looking for is a good recipe for trifle. Either the UK or Aussie version. Bring it on! (Use my e-mail address).

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Because my brother is a chef and has cooked even for 1 Michelin star restaurants and a couple of family members have worked all of their lives in restaurants I have had the opportunity to eat fine foods, both at home and abroad quite often. We eat out in a good restaurant every month. There’s a 3 star restaurant in Rotterdam, Parkheuvel, that is on our list to visit at least once in our lifetime. Don’t think about the money you have to plunk down, just think about that special and romantic evening.

But there’s another side as well. I thoroughly enjoy the simple dishes of my youth. Today I made a classic dish: boiled cod in mustard sauce with young carrots and potatoes. Nothing posh, nothing special. It was the food common people ate when I was young. Man, I had two helpings and can still taste it. There are many more, often typically Dutch, dishes I love very much. Do you have the same experience? Anne sometimes makes what she calls “poor food”, usually made from leftovers or cheap ingredients. But boy, how this food can taste sweet! Any typical and traditional ‘cheap’ dishes from your respective countries?

What I’m still looking for is a good recipe for trifle. Either the UK or Aussie version. Bring it on! (Use my e-mail address).

Sometimes simple food is the best. With the advent of many more cooking shows than ever before (complete with a cooking channel) I find that many people try to impress with their cooking by doing a lot of fancy stuff. Unfortunately, they don't know the basics, so many attempts I've had have been less than stellar.......

I think what you are referring to is what I would call "comfort food." There are days when having something from your childhood is better than any 3 star meal you can find.

I recall one cooking show I used to watch called "The Urban Peasant." It was an older guy who didn't appear to be a real chef, but certainly knew how to make simple ingredients work.

[padi56]

Yes could not agree more nice simple plain cooking with fresh first class ingredients,Myself love most Asian foods,freshly cooked, myself hopeless in the kitchen just about boil a egg.