Dutch Lesson Learned: The Stroopwafel

Preparing my Dutch breakfast

Can't believe I've gone 3 months without talking about stroopwafels.  At first glance they look like a regular waffle but they are much thinner.  They are made from two thin layers of baked batter with a carmel syrup filling.  To read about the full history of the stroopwafel see wikipedia's entry on them here.

Sounds delicious doesn't it?  The good news, there is no shortage of stroopwafels in the Netherlands.  You can even buy prepackaged ones from the train station vending machines for €1.  The bad news, the first bites are delicious, but then there is this indescribable taste that holds your mouth hostage immediately, then sticks around on for hours more.  Best solution, wash that taste away with coffee.

Actually, placing a stroopwafel on top of your coffee is a preferred method for eating.  The carmel filling melts in the center then proceeds out to the outer rim.  After you let it sit for a bit you have a gooey carmel treat.

I tried it this way this morning and I'll admit the aftertaste wasn't as severe as eating them dry right out of the package.  Lesson Learned.

Let the stroopwafel sit for a bit to warm and melt, then enjoy.

Success at the IND

CELEBRATING.  After what seemed to be a great success at the IND Vicki and I decided to celebrate our temporary Visas with a little breakfast.  Desperately in need of eggs, coffee and WiFi we were somehow magically led to the golden arches.  Now, we maybe go to McDonald’s like once a year back in the States, so we thought it was perfectly fine to explore a Mickey D’s while abroad, right?  

Anyway, we arrived a few minutes after 11:00am and saw all the lunch selections on display.  Disappointed that we missed breakfast we were about to order some fries.  But something possessed Vicki to ask the friendly lad behind the counter if they were still serving breakfast.  Then like magic he flipped a sign about his head transforming the menu from cheeseburgers to a beautiful picture of an Egg McMuffin.  We ordered two and were told to sit down and our order would be brought to us.  Within moments we were served a piping hot & delicious Egg McMuffin sandwiches with bacon AND croissants.  Where were we? McDonalds?  It was amazing.  Plus we got a great cup of coffee and an orange juice.  

Obviously, like any tech savvy, social media minded individual with access to free WiFi I took a picture of it and shared it on facebook with a cool photo filter.  (16 January 2013)