Customer Reviews

Everybody Eats Well in Belgium Cookbook

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've lived in Belgium for over five years. When I got here I knew no one. I happened to meet a wonderful Belgian woman with whom I fell in love with and married. This book was given to us by very good friends on our third anniversary a few months ago. My wife laughed at this peculiar present from Americans and put it with the rest of our cookbooks. However, some months ago she was trying to remember a family recipe and was having a difficult time recalling all the stuff that when in it. So she got the cookbook out, found the recipe, and prepared the food according to the book. Now, she cooks from this book on a regular basis and I am the benefactor of this. This was a great present and it truly is a great cookbook. It is very accurate and reflects the fine Flemish and French cuisine of Belgium. I highly recommend this book for lovers of good food.

When I lived in Belgium, it drove me crazy the amount of attention and respect devoted to food. Why, I would wonder, can't we just pick up a box of cereal and call it breakfast? Now back in America, I realize what a true fool I was. Everything about the Belgian meal was phenomenal: the labor of love, the attention to detail, the combination of taste and texture and the presentation -- but mostly the quest for perfection. I almost did a backflip when I found this book, because I had bought many Belgian cookbooks written in French and Flemish but the conversions were difficult to do. Ruth Van Waerebeek not only makes certain that Belgian recipes can be made with American measurements, but she tells a bit about the culture that comes with the recipes, so you get a complete Belgian experience when you make the recipes. The waffle recipe works like a charm and will make a popular tradition -- these are amazing and authentic -- no frozen food aisle version can even come close. I also recommend the Mussels and Belgian Endive gratin recipes. The secret to amazing French Fries is in this book, as well. There is something amazingly satisfying about Belgian food. It is both simple and rich and it makes for a joyful meal. Everybody Eats Well in Belgium contains a treasure chest of recipes that will become family favorites and dinner party masterpieces. In short, this book is a steal at any price.

I married into a Belgian family, and I have to say, I was intimidated by my mother-in-law's wonderful cooking. How would I ever measure up? In fifteen years, I've learned quite a few of her recipes, but after reading this book, I finally understand where she's coming from. Ruth Van Waerbeek not only introduces Belgian food and cooking, but an entire way of life. The recipes are great, and the stories and anecdotes are even better. This is one of those cookbooks you can sit and read cover-to-cover, even when you're not looking for a recipe. I'm ordering one for my mother-in-law --she'll love it!

My father always said that Belgian cooking is the best in the world. After a trip to Brussels, in which I was absolutely overwhelmed by the wonderful flavors of every meal I ate, I would have to agree with him. Belgian cuisine has its basis in medieval cooking, and favors such combinations as fruit with meat, and beer used to cook virtually anything. This cookbook is full of surprising and delicious food combinations, and these hearty recipes are wonderfully easy to make! Flemish Style Braised Endive is now one of my favorite things on earth to eat. Another big favorite in our household is Chicken with Grapes. The flavor combinations are fabulous.

I am a Belgian living in the US and I bought this book in 1996. I vouched for it being authentic and still representative of how people cook today. Even busy families know that sitting together at the table at the end of the day is a great way to unwind and to strengthen the body and mind. They value the time to listen to each other while eating slowly (no tv or other distractions). My friends and family in Belgium may sometimes bring ready made food (excellent quality is available there) but all know how to cook, do it often, and enjoy the process as a way to relax and nurture the family.

People can keep up because they know that every meal does not need to have many courses. For example, I went to a restaurant-brasserie recently in Brussels where one of the day's specials was a plate of asparagus: 6 big, flavorful white asparagus with a mousseline, chopped hardboiled eggs & parsley sauce, with bread and a glass of good wine it was a satisfying and delicious meal.

So, some of the recipes in the book are for special occasions or for the weekend, the smaller dish can be used as weekday meals when time is scarce.

I use this book often and all recipes work as described, are easy to follow, and include all the information that is needed for a successful outcome - unlike too many cookbooks with attractive pictures but missing information.

I have two friends over for lunch tomorrow and I am going to serve the waterzooi of scallops with garlic bread - quick and easy to prepare ahead of time, always delicious.

This is THE best book in English on Belgian cuisine. People who have visited Belgium, love it's typical dishes: Belgian endives, aspargus, waffles, "Waterzooi", mussels, fries, ... This book - which appeals to beginning and expert cooks - explains you in a simple and playful way how to make these dishes yourself.

An indispensible guide to the food of Belgium and its preparation. Although the cuisine is Flemish leaning (and no disrespect whatsoever meant) and containing no photos (really good cookery books don't need them to visualise the process and end product as the writing is strong enough), I recommend this book wholeheartedly. If you don't live in Belgium (as I do), it won't be long before you think of visiting. The food here is really rather good.

I acquired my love of cooking and fine food while living in Belgium, and this book has every single receipe I enjoyed while in Liege. It has easy to follow receipes, and ingredient equivalents for hard to find foods. This book is a *must* for anyone who enjoys "la gastronomie belge!"

I am trying these recipes one by one and they are excellent so far and I am no great cook. The sidebars are full of interesting tidbits and I am planning my garden around ingredients needed in these recipes. Anyone who has been to Belgium knows they have the best beer in the world. The people are lovely, their country is gorgeous, their food superb and their beer un-beatable. This is my very favorite cookbook. I only hope I can learn to grow Belgian endive and white asparagus. If you don't love this cookbook, you don't love food. It is a treasure!

I have tried almost every recipie in this book and they are all excellent. Not one failure ! Very practical, easy and with history. I don't think anyone would regret buying this, I use it all the time.