Pomme Frites

One of my favorite stories of politics and food involves when a conservative North Carolina Congressman forced the US House of Representatives' cafeteria to change the name of "French fries" to "freedom fries".  Why?  Because the French government refused to join the US in the debacle of invading Iraq. 

When the media asked for a response from the French embassy over renaming the fries, the response was a classicly French drole response. I don't recall the response word-for-word alas, but the response was basically that the US Congress could rename their cafeteria food as they saw fit and besides pomme frites were a Begian invention. The response made the Congressman look like a buffoon. 

And indeed the French embassy spokesman was correct:  "pomme frites",  the fried potatoes much loved by Belgians and Americans alike, are Belgium's national dish.  Whole cafés and pomme frites stands are dedicated to preparing and selling pomme frites to a hungry Belgian public. Often the frites come in a cone and are usually eaten with mayonnaise rather than ketchup. 

But just remember, like freedom, freedom fries aren't free.

Classic Belgian Foods

Belgium combines French and Dutch influences -including in its cuisine. In three areas of cuisine the Belgians are famous:

Pomme Frites:  Belgians invented "pomme frites" or fried potatoes.   Alas, the French got credit and this in the US pomme frites are the ubiquitous French fries. Stands and pomme frites cafés sell pomme frites in Belgium. Traditionally the fries are eaten with mayonnaise. 

Beers:  Unlike Germany and the Czech Republic where a Medieval beer purity law keeps beer ingredients limited to a classic five elements, Belgians experiment with a broad palate of beer ingredients. Belgian inventiveness makes Belgium a smorgasbord of beer with libations that include fruit beers. 

Chocolates:  Switzerland may be more famous for the quality of its plain chocolate bars, but Belgians rule when it comes to esquisite and complex chocolate candies.  From chocolate-covered candied orange peel to exotically flavored truffles, Belgium is a chocolate lover's paradise. It's thus no accident that Godiva chocolatiers started in Belgium.