Celebrating Sint-Niklaas and Dylaney Niklaas

For the past eight years we have held Dylan's birthday party for his friends the first weekend in December, to coincide with Sint-Niklaas Day...since he is our Dylaney Niklaas...and to keep it distinct from Christmas. We celebrated as a family on his actual birthday. But this year, we are only have one party, on his actual birthday. Still we are going to celebrate today with some Dutch-inspired treats.

Quick background: I lived in Holland for three years as a kid. I went to pre-school and kindergarten there. I spoke Dutch fluently; well, fluently for a five or six-year-old. And I thought that I really was Dutch. I lamented my black hair, brown eyes, and weird name; I wanted to look like my friends. I swore to my mom that when I turned eighteen I was going to dye my hair and legally change my name to a Dutch name. Thankfully, that was a fleeting fancy. I am very happy with my dark looks and unusual name now.

But I still have my klompens and I still put carrots and celery in them for Sinter Klaas. And I still love, love, love, love, love my tulips. So, despite realizing that I am not Dutch, Dutch traditions still hold a dear place in my heart.

For dinner... Vooriaarsgroentesoep, vegetable soup, that is seasoned with nutmeg and thickened with cream. Traditionally it's made with veal meatballs, but veal is one of the few things that I don't eat. I was thrilled to put my High Ground Organics goodies into this soup: carrots, leeks, chard with some beef broth, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Yum!

Vooriaarsgroentesoep

Kruidnoten
Yes, this translates to 'ginger nuts.' Love it!

Click here for the recipe.

For the adults...

Advocaat

Proost!

Click here for the recipe.

Happy Sint-Niklaas Day!

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