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!

IMG_2533A hearty welcome included Champagne….loads of it – but not for the kids, I’m sure you know that;

IMG_2537IMG_2534 IMG_2535

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

IMG_2540It was interesting to see how they served their appetisers…like Lollipops! And they tasted super yum….great idea, right?

IMG_2554IMG_2559 IMG_2553

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.

IMG_2572IMG_2570 IMG_2571 IMG_2582

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

IMG_2590IMG_2588 IMG_2586

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.

IMG_2599 IMG_2601

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!

IMG_2605The 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;

IMG_2615Topped 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.

IMG_2627 IMG_2632 IMG_2635 IMG_2646 IMG_2651

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!

IMG_2657 IMG_2660

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

IMG_2667 I absolutely loved it….soft and tasty. Slightly fishy but I would definitely try it again.

IMG_2673 IMG_2677

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!

IMG_2698 IMG_2700

Music came in different forms…all pleasant and enjoyable

IMG_2809 IMG_2787

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.

IMG_2790We had Turkey;

IMG_2826 Glimpsed Pannetonne;

IMG_2832And had a chance to sample macarons.

IMG_2843 IMG_2837 IMG_2836

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

IMG_2876One daughter had just marshmallows;

IMG_2878And the other had marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate;

IMG_2882 IMG_2865

Thorough enjoyment.

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

IMG_2895And 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!

IMG_2900And 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.

IMG_2908

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]

18 Comments

  1. Thanks for that. We’re having a little potluck party next week, for Xmas I guess and I’ve been trying to find something special to take.. found some awesome ideas at this potluck recipe site. You know, someone should invent a website where you can write what you’ll be taking, and it would make sure no one is bringing the same thing!

  2. Lorraine, it is an amazing, giant supermarket. Whenever I’m seeking a hard to find/gourmet ingredient, it is my first stop!

    Mimi…it looked good. My friend bought it so I may have a chance to review it soon!

    Melissa, it is supereasy to get a card – apply for ‘The Haguest card’ and that gives you entry. i go with my company ID and though it is mainly ‘groothandel’, mere mortals are welcome. On average, I go once a week (with my company ID). When you come, we can explore together!!!!

    Caroline – it was such a nice suprise to see you. I enjoyed myself thoroughly!

    Peter – We didn’t get to meet each other this time but I did see your wife!

  3. It sure was a nice tasting-party !

    Sligro actually is -like Makro- a wholesale company.
    ANYONE with a registration at the Chamber of Commerce can go…
    Not just restaurants. Even if you are a one-man-company…
    So, maybe your boss has a card you can borrow.

  4. The pasta was amazing and I loved the macarons so much I bought a box. It was fab to bump into you.
    Caroline

  5. Oh boy..what a fabulous store! Can anyone go? It seems they just sell to restaurants and commercial businesses?? How do you go? You have to take me with you when I move to NL!

  6. Veggie girl – it was so much fun
    Sarah – you did a great Mac job….TRULY
    Kate – make a date,come over and I’ll take you there if you can bear to leave Sean Connery
    Meg – You will get the book; as soon as I saw it, I knew what I had to do, which I will
    Bethany – It was so funny, life eh? The beetroot crisps were quite nice and sweet

  7. I wish we had a shop like this here. Sigh……

    Thanks for the tour! We had a potluck here recently, and my job was to bring the appetisers. I brought prosciutto wrapped around breadsticks, as in your photo. It was a hit. VERY easy to eat.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.