I’m getting a late start to this little story of mine because the first couple of months here were all about getting to know the area and, more importantly, the food. One thing I learned very quickly is that in the Netherlands, there are many more food groups than the usual four. Sure, there’s meat, dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables, and desserts … but then there’s French fries. Yes, French fries could easily be their own course, maybe even their own food group. They serve them with everything!
Before we came, my daughter and I laughed over a book that described, with pure delight, French fries served with globs of mayonnaise. We thought, “Who would eat fries with mayonnaise?” Well, curiosity got the best of us when we came over to find a house, and we decided to try it. And … it was wonderful! Creamy, tangy, perfect. But after a while, even an American girl has to have some ketchup to go with those fries.
And here’s the kicker: it’s possible! For 50 cents a pack. Are you kidding me?! I’m still wrapping my head around paying for ketchup in little packets, but honestly, at that price, I’ll happily indulge. French fries with mayo, fries with ketchup, fries with everything … life in Holland is already teaching me to loosen up, laugh, and never underestimate the power of a good fry.
Blueberry Pancake Publishing 