Belgian Chicken Fricassee (Vol-Au-Vent)

This delicious, creamy chicken fricassee is a classic Belgian recipe. My father used to make this regularly for Sundays and other festive occasions. Often served as a starter, but it is great as a main course as well, accompanied by plain rice or potato puree, for example. Freezes well. Its Flemish name is “Koninginnenhapje”, which could be translated as “Queen’s Nibble”… nice, isn’t it?

Belgian Beef Stew With Beer

One of my old standby real comfort food recipes. Very easy to make, and the combination of the flavors of the caramelized onions and beer give it a very subtle, complex rich taste without giving it a lot of extra calories. Great with rice, mashed potatoes or noodles and a simple green vegetable.

Flemish Beef Stew Cooked in Beer

From Ruth Van Waerebeek’s “Everybody Eats Well in Belgium.” Use a rich, dark and slightly bitter beer, such as Rodenbach, or a dark Abbey ale. Serve with French fries or boiled potatoes, applesauce, and beer.

Waterzooi of Chicken

From Ruth Van Waerebeek’s “Everyone Eats Well in Belgium Cookbook.” Don’t be turned off by the unusual name; it’s Dutch in origin (pronounced VAH-ter-zoy); it’s basically a hearty chicken and vegetable soup/stew thing, with a deliciously rich and creamy broth. (I tell the kids that it’s Belgian Chicken Soup, and they love it.) It’s not hard to make at all, and great for entertaining since it can be prepared almost entirely ahead of time.

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