A Groningen Christmas Dinner

Help! This year I've been roped into making a number of dishes for my good friend's family's annual Christmas dinner. Total of 7 people, so I'll have to manage to prepare something delicious. 

Preparation for the Groningen themed Christmas Dinner

Because I know I'm not a seasoned chef, I'm going to think ahead about what I could possibly make. And what's more fun than choosing ingredients that are locally available in Groningen, and maybe even typically Groningen? I have a number of fun tips where you can get local ingredients! If you want to make it easy on yourself, you could also stop by Kruidenier Wolters. Many Groningen products are available here and it's nicely located in the center of Groningen, if you're looking for a nice Christmas gift it's convenient to combine.

The Groningen Christmas Menu

My task is to make two warm intermediate courses and then serve matching wines. After a short brainstorming session at work, we came up with a small soup in an elegant glass or cup with a homemade crisp on the side. For seven people, one pot of soup is enough and you bring some nice coffee cups, they don't all have to be the same. You can score some really nice cups at the Kringloop if you want to make a creative party out of it. If you want it stylish, you can of course also decorate a simple glass.

Warm Appetizer: Groningen Mustard Soup with Crisp 

We'll suggest a vegetarian and non-vegetarian variant. It's not so difficult to make Groningen Mustard Soup. You'll get a long way with a good broth, flour, butter, and cream. And of course the good Groningen Marne Mustard (since 1895). A nice recipe for Groningen Mustard Soup can be found here: https://www.visitgroningen.nl/nl/blogs/mosterdsoep-maken

You could also make mustard yourself, follow the instagram of Dennis Cooking Place  and Dennis will show you very clearly how to make coarse mustard:

The Crispy Topping for Groninger Mustard Soup

For the vegetarian crispy topping, you could make a cheese butterfly with real Groninger Old Cheese, of course. You can get the old cheese at Kleikracht in Winsum. Buy some extra, so that after the dinner, you can offer a cheese platter with only Groninger cheeses. How fun is that? A recipe for a cheese butterfly with local Groninger Cheese can be found here: https://www.visitgroningen.nl/nl/blogs/kaasvlinders-met-groningse-streekproducten
The cheese used by De Roode Schuur has unfortunately closed its doors, but you can still go to Kleikracht. Kleikracht can also be found at the Ommelander Market, by the way, which is regularly at Jumbo De Beren. A recommended place to visit, and you can immediately buy the main ingredient for the main course we’re going to write about now, the stew.

For the non-vegetarian crispy topping, finely chop a Groninger dry sausage. Choose a good knife for this, and you can buy the sausage at the Goede Slagerij in Groningen. Did you know there are competitions for the best Groninger Sausage? The butcher who makes the best Groninger sausage is, among others, Slagerij Oosterhof in Groningen.

Groninger Main Course: Stew with Knol's Koek and Graansilo Knolskoekbier (non-vegetarian)

A delicious stew is, of course, made with locally sourced beef from de Groningse Marktslager. Use rib or chuck steak for this dish. For a good binding, breakfast cake is often used. Now, locally, we have Knol's Koek, so I would recommend visiting the shop at Knol's Koek. The Graansilo Knolskoekbier you can buy local ofcourse! Here, you can also get the Groninger kniepertjes that you serve with coffee afterwards. 

Vegetarian Groninger Eggplant Stew with Crispy Topping

A highly recommended recipe is this one for a vegetarian stew. You really won't miss the meat, and it's not very difficult to make.

The Crispy Topping (Christmas Tip!)

The best crispy topping for the stew (thank me later for this tip) is a parsnip chip. You can easily make them yourself, and it really completes the dish. How to make parsnip chips can be read here: https://lekkertafelen.nl/recept/tussendoortje/pastinaakchips-een-knapperige-aanvulling-bij-de-maaltijd/ You can store them, but if you serve them immediately, they might get a bit limp, so keep that in mind. For the bite, of course, top them with a little salt!

How to Make a Beautiful Christmas Plate?

How do you plate the dish nicely? For the main courses, choose a nice fluffy potato and make mashed potatoes. If you want to make it look fancy, fill a cooking ring halfway with mashed potatoes and the other half with the stew. Place the crispy toppings next to it. The vegetarian version can have a bit of a firmer mashed potato, while the meat version should have a creamier one.

Matching Wines from Groningen

If you're not familiar with wines and don't want to ask for advice from a wine expert in Groningen, you can download the Vivino app on your phone, and you will see recommendations at any supermarket. It's also handy if you're abroad and want to try a local wine.

Groninger Trifle with a Splash of Limoncello from Drenthe

I love it, a combination of vanilla, fresh full-fat Greek Yogurt (the real one from Dodoni), and the best limoncello from the north. After a heavier main course, you just want a refreshing dessert. Citrus and fruit in general are perfect for that.
How I would approach it is by using nice glasses to make the trifle (layered dessert). It also looks very festive!

My Own Recipe for Groninger Mango Trifle

Start with a layer of full-fat Greek Yogurt or quark, which will stay nicely at the bottom. Then add a layer of small, well-ripened mango pieces (they are lighter and stay beautifully on top). Next, add a layer of homemade custard. Crumble a Christmas meringue over it and/or some almonds. Then pour over the best limoncello, to taste. Top it off with some more mango pieces. Enjoy!

Important: The Dodoni Greek Yogurt, of course, should be bought locally at the Greek delicatessen store of Ilias.

A Coffee with a Groninger Liqueur from Hooghoudt

A good finish is, of course, crucial. For those who enjoy it, a little Beerenburg or Heidehoning Liqueur from, of course, Hooghoudt from Groningen. Serve it with a nice kniepertje, which you would have already gotten from Kruidenier Wolters. We used to make them (!) at home with a kniepertjes iron. It's not that difficult, and I still have warm memories of it! 

Enjoy your Groninger Christmas Dinner!