Category: Belgium

Bruges Egg Savoury

Hello friends, and welcome back to Belgium! After discovering  Belgians’ fondness for prawns / shrimp /  crevettes, today we’re doubling down on that ingredient.  Bruges Egg Savoury is a delightful and light dish that perfectly marries the richness of eggs with the delicate sweetness of prawns.  Now, the recipe ideally calls for the tiny, flavorful crevettes gris found in the North Sea, a true Belgian delicacy. I opted for some fresh Australian prawns, which were an excellent substitute.  

As always, our European culinary journey is guided by the trusted pages of Good Housekeeping’s World Cookery from 1972, a treasure trove of international recipes. Speaking of Bruges, it was a delightful coincidence that the film “In Bruges” was on the telly the other night. It was a thoroughly enjoyable rewatch, reminding me of the city’s captivating beauty and unique atmosphere. 

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In bruges1

But back to the star of our show: Bruges Egg Savoury. This is a perfect candidate for a sophisticated brunch or a light yet satisfying lunch. With Easter just around the corner, this dish could be a fantastic addition to your brunch spread. What also appeals to me is its simplicity and speed of preparation. You can boil the eggs the day before, leaving you with minimal fuss on the day itself. It’s essentially a matter of combining the ingredients, popping it in the oven, and voila – a delicious and elegant dish ready to impress your guests.

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Bruges Egg Savoury – The Recipe

While the original recipe doesn’tsuggest it, I wholeheartedly recommend serving Bruges Egg Savoury with an abundance of crusty, artisanal bread. Trust me on this one. As the dish bakes, it creates a luscious sauce or gravy, rich with the flavors of the prawns, eggs, and herbs. This flavorful liquid is absolutely begging to be soaked up with chunks of fresh bread, adding another layer of texture and enjoyment to the meal.  It’s a dish that feels both elegant and comforting, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Bruges Egg Savoury

Have a great week!

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Croquettes aux Crevettes

Hello friends, today we are continuing our European tour via Good Housekeeping’s World Cookery. Our trusty tour bus has pulled into the charming nation of Belgium, a land of delectable chocolates, waffles, stunning architecture, and, as we’ll discover, a deep-seated love for prawns. We are celebrating with some Croquettes aux Crevettes, also known as Prawn  or Shrimp Croquettes

Prawn Croquettes

Now, I’ll admit, my initial perception of Belgian cuisine leaned heavily towards waffles, beer, and perhaps those famous mussels. The notion of prawns taking centre stage seemed a tad unexpected.   However, because I was a little suspicious about this, I googled, “Are prawns a popular food in Belgium? And the answer was:


Yes prawns, particularly “grey shrimp” (crevettes grises) are a popular food in Belgium often enjoyed in various forms, including croquettes and as part of seafood dishes

What truly piqued my interest was the automatic inclusion of croquettes in the response. It was as if the internet knew precisely what Good Housekeeping was guiding us towards. Clearly, the culinary wisdom of this esteemed publication remains unchallenged. Lesson learned: never doubt the expertise of Good Housekeeping’s World Cookery.

 

Croquettes Aux Crevettes: The Recipe

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The final product was undeniably delicious.  The creamy white sauce worked perfectly with the sweetness of the prawns.  The crispy coating provided a nice contrast to the soft filling.  I served my Croquettes with a side of sriracha mayo which added a spicy kick that complemented the richness of the croquettes. A simple roasted onion salad provided a refreshing counterpoint, cutting through the creaminess.  They would also be great with a glass of ice-cold beer!  Belgian of course!

And apologies in advance, I don’t know that much about Belgium, so a lot of my references will come from In Bruges, which is an absolute belter of a movie that I must rewatch very soon! 

Have a great week!  Signature2