Yes. I admit it. I am a Philistine. Albeit, a waffle-loving one.
However, I must also admit that the waffles we ate in Bruges are the best we've ever had. Bar none.
Don't get me wrong, Anne is a great cook; perhaps this is simply the opinion of an uncultured Philistine, but I feel that Anne re-produces many culinary delights better than their countries of origin. Anne's pad thai, for instance, is better than that which you will get on the street in Thailand. Even so, Anne's waffles are rank in comparison to those in Belgium. We've had all kinds of waffles now: waffles with crab meat hidden inside, waffles with rock salt (or sugar), McWaffles, waffles in the shape of Texas, the list is endless.
But, the truth is, Bruges owns the waffle. There really is no other.
Looking back, I think the French mindset (and the "European way", perhaps) determines that one should not bother doing a thing unless it can be done extremely well. With Belgium's ownership of the waffle supreme, a French border town would know in advance that it will not be able to re-produce to best waffle AND their proximity to the very best ensures that they endure at least some unfavourable comparisons.
That is why, if you go to France, you should never ask a Frenchman where to find Italian food. The response will be something to the effect of: "Impossible! This is France. We make French food. You want Italian food? Go to Italy. Leave now..."
So, I did not find waffles (or Italian food) in France.
If, however, I had asked a Frenchman for croissants and blue cheese in any language, I probably would have gotten a smile and an emphatic "Oui!"
But this is not Europe. This is Asia; and if you want it here (and if you're willing to pay above average for it) you got it. Hamburgers, hotdogs and chilli, Tex-mex, Indian, Italian, Brazilian, and, of course, "Belgian" waffles.
In Thailand, they have waffles at metro stops and on the street even. However, they do twisted things to their waffles which would probably curdle blood in Bruges. They make 'em with tamarind and squid bits and pork, and the aforementioned crab of course.
Come to think of it, almost everything here is made with pork. But that is so large a topic that I'll save it for another day.
NB
However, I must also admit that the waffles we ate in Bruges are the best we've ever had. Bar none.
Don't get me wrong, Anne is a great cook; perhaps this is simply the opinion of an uncultured Philistine, but I feel that Anne re-produces many culinary delights better than their countries of origin. Anne's pad thai, for instance, is better than that which you will get on the street in Thailand. Even so, Anne's waffles are rank in comparison to those in Belgium. We've had all kinds of waffles now: waffles with crab meat hidden inside, waffles with rock salt (or sugar), McWaffles, waffles in the shape of Texas, the list is endless.
But, the truth is, Bruges owns the waffle. There really is no other.
Looking back, I think the French mindset (and the "European way", perhaps) determines that one should not bother doing a thing unless it can be done extremely well. With Belgium's ownership of the waffle supreme, a French border town would know in advance that it will not be able to re-produce to best waffle AND their proximity to the very best ensures that they endure at least some unfavourable comparisons.
That is why, if you go to France, you should never ask a Frenchman where to find Italian food. The response will be something to the effect of: "Impossible! This is France. We make French food. You want Italian food? Go to Italy. Leave now..."
So, I did not find waffles (or Italian food) in France.
If, however, I had asked a Frenchman for croissants and blue cheese in any language, I probably would have gotten a smile and an emphatic "Oui!"
But this is not Europe. This is Asia; and if you want it here (and if you're willing to pay above average for it) you got it. Hamburgers, hotdogs and chilli, Tex-mex, Indian, Italian, Brazilian, and, of course, "Belgian" waffles.
In Thailand, they have waffles at metro stops and on the street even. However, they do twisted things to their waffles which would probably curdle blood in Bruges. They make 'em with tamarind and squid bits and pork, and the aforementioned crab of course.
Come to think of it, almost everything here is made with pork. But that is so large a topic that I'll save it for another day.
NB
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1 comment:
Mmmm, pork waffles. I wonder why those haven't caught on here? LOL Can't wait to hear pork post.
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