The George Lite Zone

In the British Waterstones in Brussels last week I came across a copy of The Food and Cooking of Belgium by Suzanne Vandyck . Starting off with a description of Belgian culture and the history of Belgian food, it moves on to 60 superlative recipes. Clocking in at 25 Euros however, I deferred purchase until I got back to the flat and paid a quick visit to good old Amazon. And so, a week later I decided to start off with one of the countries signiature dishes, Flemish-style beef stew with beer. The beer used was Chimay Brun and a glass or two were also drunk with the meal. As were two more bottles of that god of beers, Westvleiteren. I finished off with a pear tart purchased from my favourite Brussels patiserie and some Neuhaus chocolates. Recipe now posted on Greasy Truckers Party Food . Eet Smakelijk!

Der Bier-Esel (the Beer Donkey) dates back to 1297 and it over 700 years old is a good place to sample the local beer and food. The beer drunk was Kolsch, a beverage drunk by anyone and everyone in Cologne, men, women, children and even the odd donkey. Kolsch is a lite beer and slips down the throat like liquid velvet. The Donkey specialises in food of a piggish persuasion and neither the Pork Knuckle I had,or the Frankfurter munched by my son, disappointed. Thanks to Pete Wright, of Greasy Truckers , for the heads up on this fine beer emporium. Highly recommended. Addendum - Further visits to the Esel confirmed my suspicions that this is a seriously good restaurant. Berlin style beef liver and marinated, braised beef with raisin sauce, apple sauce and some great parsley dumplings launched this bar into the realms of places where you wouldn't want to eat anywhere else in town. Not only is this culinary alchemy of the highest order, but the prices are reasonable too. Marvelous. I...

This week I once again became entangled in the Spinnekopke 's web of fine food. One of my favorite eating houses and conveniently close to Cafe Bizon , In't Spinnekopke specialises in Belgian beer and food cooked in Belgian Beer. A winning combination in anybody's book (if that book in question was The Good Beer Guide" that is). Unfortunately their legendary Carbonade wasn't up to the mark, with the beef having a texture reminiscent of the bison hung on the wall of the aforementioned Cafe Bizon. The accompanying gravy made with Lambic beer was still, as usual, superb though. The visit was however worth it for the desert, a holy trinity of beer Sorbet's. Sorbet à la Kriek, Sorbet à la Blanche and Sorbet à la Maredsous accompanied by fresh strawberries. When the waiter recommended it, the idea of beer sorbet's didn't initially appeal to me, but I thought what the hell lets give it a try. I'm glad that I did as it is now a worthy addition to my exclus...

The following foodstuffs all have health giving properties atributed to them. Eat them all and you'll probably live forever. Now time for a cup of tea I think. Beans Sidekicks:All beans ... pinto, garbanzo (chickpeas), lentills, green beans, sugar snap peas and green peas Reccomended:at least 4 1/2 cup servings per week Blueberries Sidekicks:Purple grapes, Cranberries, Loganberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Currants, Blackberries, Cherries and all other varities of fresh, frozen or dried berries Reccomended:1 to 2 cups daily Broccoli Sidekicks :Brussells Sprouts, Cabbage, Kale, Turnips, Cauliflower, Spring Greens, Bok Choy, Watercress, Rocket, Swiss Chard Reccomended:1/2 to 1 cup daily Oats Super Sidekicks:Wheatgerm & Ground Flaxseed Sidekicks: brown rice, barley, wheat, buckwheat, Rye, Millet, Bulgar Wheat. Amaranth, Quinoa, Kamut, Yellow Corn, Wild Rice, Spelt, Couscous Reccomended:5 to 7 servings per day Oranges Sidekicks :Lemons, White & Pink Grapefruit, Kumquats, Tan...