European Cuisine Adventure: A Feast of National Specialties

advertisement

Every country has its own food, and the characteristics of a country's cuisine are always related to the national character of that country. For example, the French are romantic, so French cuisine is also full of flowers and styles; The German nation seems to have a natural rationalism in their blood, and their cuisine is like the German character, focusing on economy, practicality, and affordability, without being extravagant, but still maintaining external beauty. Besides, do you know what the representative food of other countries is? When you see it, do you know which country this delicious food comes from?

Spain

  1. (1) Churros with chocolate dip. Spain is known for its wide variety of delicious food, but you definitely can't miss this classic snack! After frying the dough in oil, it already tastes very tempting (sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon powder), but they also serve it with a cup of chocolate sauce for you to dip, making it a sinful and delightful delicacy.

(2) Seafood paella.

European Cuisine Adventure: A Feast of National Specialties

This is a dish loved by Spaniards during festivals, prepared in a large pot to create a festive atmosphere. The cooking method is quite unique. First, paella involves cooking the rice in the dish and then using a special flat pan to grill it, resulting in a slightly crispy texture while allowing the flavors of the meat to blend perfectly with the rice. Additionally, saffron is added to the rice, giving it an enticing color and a wonderful aroma. And of course, there are plenty of delicious seafood ingredients in it.

(3) Baked Potato and Egg Sandwich. Pour the egg mixture into the potatoes and onions, bake them together, and then add sliced bread for a hearty and delicious meal.

(4) Romesco Sauce. Once you try Romesco sauce, you won't want to go back to regular tomato sauce! This traditional Spanish dipping sauce is commonly used to accompany various dishes. It is made with a base of tomatoes, hazelnuts, roasted red peppers, and garlic.

In the UK:

(1) Cornish Pasty. This meat-filled pastry from Cornwall, England, wraps ingredients like beef and potatoes in a crispy crust and is made to be handheld.

(2) Fish and Chips.

European Cuisine Adventure: A Feast of National Specialties

Is there anything more quintessentially British than fish and chips? Dip cod or haddock in flour, fry it until golden, and serve it with chips (French fries) alongside tartar sauce or ketchup. This dish, featured in Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," is traditionally eaten wrapped in newspaper.

(3) Roast Beef. Another traditional British main course with rich countryside flavors, roast beef has been said to exist since Roman times. Typically, a regular piece of sirloin beef is roasted in the oven, sliced, and served with gravy, accompanied by potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower. The meat is cooked to about 80-90% doneness, with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior.

Switzerland

  1. (1) Raclette Cheese: When you're in Switzerland, besides trying the famous cheese fondue, you should also try the grilled cheese made from semi-hard cheese called Raclette. The smooth texture and easy melting properties make it a popular choice among locals. They spread the cheese on a flat pan and heat it along with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and meats. It's a heartwarming dish perfect for winter.

(2) Swiss National Dish: Cheese Fondue. Swiss cuisine revolves around three main ingredients: potatoes, wheat, and cows. With these three ingredients, what can you make? The answer from the Swiss people is cheese fondue. Traditional cheese fondue involves melting fresh cheese on an alcohol burner and then dipping pieces of bread (made from wheat) and boiled potatoes into the melted cheese. Nowadays, Swiss cuisine has evolved, and cheese fondue includes a variety of meats, vegetables, and mushrooms. However, the overall style has remained the same for centuries, with the alcohol burner and small pot of cheese. It's definitely worth a try, although the taste is a bit heavy. It is recommended to pair it with white wine.

(3) Swiss chocolate is renowned for its long-standing tradition and more traditional style compared to the intricate varieties of Belgian chocolates. Each piece of Swiss chocolate is exquisitely crafted, making it naturally quite expensive.

  1. Sweden
    (1) Cream Buns: Cream buns in Sweden are somewhat similar to profiteroles we usually have, but the filling has a cardamom flavor, and the cream is made with almond and fresh cream. They are simple yet charming local sweet treats.

(2) Swedish Meatballs: This is something most people have heard of, especially the ones from IKEA. Yes, you're right. The only difference between the meatballs in the picture and the ones from IKEA is the absence of a small Swedish flag. Nordic folks are also meat lovers, and a meal without meat might cause an uproar. I guess this meatball dish would be considered a national dish. It's made by using minced beef to make meatballs, served with potatoes and pickled cucumbers. It's quite amusing.

Sweden is a beloved place, and I have only been to Stockholm and Malm?. Especially the pirate museums showcasing stolen treasures, gem crowns, and other cool artifacts. Pirates naturally require manly food. I think these meatballs can be considered one of them. Chopped beef formed into balls, served with potatoes and a slice of pickled cucumber. That's a national dish. It's quite amusing.

  1. Germany

  1. (1) Currywurst: A must-try street snack in Berlin. It's simple but nostalgic and delicious. It's usually enjoyed with crispy fries while strolling around a flea market.

(2) Roasted Pork Knuckle: This dish involves marinating and then roasting the pork knuckle. The preparation is not complicated, yet it is incredibly flavorful. The exterior is crispy, while the inside is tender. It's often served with meat sauce and accompanied by mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. There's also a version that is boiled instead of roasted, called Eisbein. I recommend the roasted version because it has a more appealing appearance. The boiled version looks strange. This dish is a must-try when in Germany. Going to Germany and not trying pork knuckle is like going to New York and not seeing the Statue of Liberty.

(3) White Sausage: A pinnacle representative of Germany's meat culture is undoubtedly the diverse, juicy, and colorful sausages. One of the most famous is the white sausage. It is a specialty of Bavaria (capital: Munich) made from minced pork and veal, seasoned with cardamom and other spices. Traditionally, it is made in the early morning and enjoyed as a morning snack. According to a German saying, "White sausages should not hear the church bells at noon."

(4) Beer: While the Irish drink 130 liters of beer per year, Germans are even more formidable, consuming around 140 liters annually. People attending Oktoberfest, on average, drink over 600 liters of beer per year, making China's 30 liters pale in comparison. The most common German beer is wheat beer, followed by dark beer and pale lager. Paulaner and Tucher are probably the most famous ones.

European Cuisine Adventure: A Feast of National Specialties

(Images from the internet)

advertisement

advertisement