Sligro’s Christmas Party, 2009

If I say I love Sligro…one more time, what would you say or do? And The Haguest card, that brought us Eten & Drinken 2010? Would you think that I had gone over the top? Alright then, wait and see what fun we had and what great delights we had to eat at my very first Christmas party of the season!

So, after work today, we (as in the whole family) and friends included, trooped to Sligro, to the joy of my kids who have always longed to go to my fave shop but have never had a chance for kids under 12 are not allowed (large shop, numerous dangers…) and so, this was their chance!

We were welcomed by Emina, office manager for The Haguestcard. After Eten& Drinken 2010, we exchanged emails….but had never met.  Would you believe that as soon as I started taking photos, she said ‘you must be the lady with the blog’. I was SHOCKED and promptly said ‘how did you know?’ to which she responded, ’cause people don’t go around taking photos…..’ essentially, I figured, like I do :-).

Anyhow, I have a trademark now…so I might as well enjoy it!

A hearty welcome included Champagne….loads of it – but not for the kids, I’m sure you know that;

And some ‘shots’ of Crab soup- quite delish.

It was interesting to see how they served their appetisers…like Lollipops! And they tasted super yum….great idea, right?

We met two of three writers of a new ‘Dutch Culinary Art’ cookbook with 120 recipes! It looks like a treasure of Dutch Art and food evolution, anicient and modern! One I will be buying in the near future …..or maybe receiving, who knows. Recently, the book was presented to the Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife, Princess Maxima at a ceremony in New York.

Chocolate figurines of ‘Father Christmas’ were in great abundance, but that wasn’t why we came.

We did afterall want to sample new and interesting cuisines. I should think deep fried Chioggia beetroots fall into the category of new and exciting! It was the first time I’d ever seen these beets and of course, I had to try them.

And try I did – with Turnip puree and a wild mushroom sauce. My thoughts? Well Turnip mash is going on the Christmas menu. Finish. Finger-liking good!

The queues everywhere in the fish section had me over there, in a flash…to join the long lines. And when I arrived, it wa easy to see why peoople queued, got to the front and stayed.

It was everything to do with marinaded fresh salmon (sweet and sour flavours), served with avocado mousse and some flying roe caviar;

Topped with Chuka Wakame – seasoned seaweed. It was really nice, slightly soft and chewy texture, with sweet and just sour and a bit salty flavours. Think umami! The colour was somewhat transclusent bottle to dark green and brown and looked super appetising. I will be purchasing some when I get round to practicing my sushi-making.

I took the House of Caviar up on their offer to sample some…not beluga though or any from the Caspian. This was farmed caviar from France!

I received a dollop on the back of my hand. It apparently accentuates the taste.

I absolutely loved it….soft and tasty. Slightly fishy but I would definitely try it again.

Then it was time for our free wine class, where we learn about wines form the Bordeaux region of France and tasted 4, but please lets keep this for another day!

Music came in different forms…all pleasant and enjoyable

The kids filled their tiny bellies with cups and cups of innocent smoothies and loved it. They demanded more and more and begged me to get some – I declined for I know my kids and their cravings. I figured I would let it rest awhile and see how long the craze lasted.

We had Turkey;

Glimpsed Pannetonne;

And had a chance to sample macarons.

And by this time the kids were flaking and noisy and tired. A little bit. That is till we saw the chocolate fountain!

One daughter had just marshmallows;

And the other had marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate;

Thorough enjoyment.

As we walked away, saying goodnight, we saw some bread lollies

And freshly boiled pasta, poured into a huge ‘pot’ of Grana Padano!

Can you imagine that, a scooped out hollow in a huge cheese round, pasta in it, melts and softens the cheese. I noticed there were pots of tomato sauce to go with it too. I didn’t have any, there would have been a family crisis!

And then we left for home, but not before receiving a pack of oysters, complete with shucking knife and all….

The kids enjoyed the wind tunnels,, for lackk of a better word, which were blowing everywhere.

A great 1st Christmas party. Thank you, Sligro and The Haguest card, we love you! XXX

So, have you started on your train of fests this season? Any exciting ones planned or had? Share them all, please![wpurp-searchable-recipe]Sligro’s Christmas Party, 2009 – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]