Yes! Anne can!

Well as you may remember in my last blog, I said that I maybe would quit with writing this weekly blog. Which is clearly not the case since you're reading this. I know that there has been a little pause.(okay maybe a little bit of a big pause in my updates) But now they're supposed to be back on track! It has been almost a month ago since I updated it over here, so time for a new one!

Today I visited "de poffertjeskraam" in Laren. I thought it was a great idea to inform everyone about poffertjes since they're typical Dutch. Poffertjes are very similar to pancakes. The only difference is that they're really small and that they're always sweet. To bake poffertjes there are special pans. There is a special trick while baking the poffertjes. You have to turn them halfway and skilled cooks can be very quick in turning the poffertjes while baking. Really fascinating to see and impossible to do it that fast if you haven't done it before.

There are special establishments specialised in baking poffertjes. In Dutch they are called "poffertjeskraam". One famous poffertjeskraam is situated nearby my birthplace. It's called poffertjeskraam de Haan, but everyone calls it the poffertjeskraam of Laren (Laren is where it's situated). The poffertjeskraam is situated in the middle of the village and exists already for over a hundred years! The poffertjeskraam is the eldest of the still existing other poffertjeskramen.

I have to confess that I had actually never been there before (which shocked my friends who all come there at least once a year). So it was all new for me. I was really impressed with the service of the waiters and how they handled orders. They waiters were nice and when they took your order they shouted it through the poffertjeskraam. They don't write down the things you ordered but they just leave your plates and cups at the table and count everything when you want to pay your bill. Then they calculate without a calculator the price you have to pay. I was really impressed and surprised that no orders got mixed up and that the waiters were that skilled in calculating.

The interior of the poffertjeskraam within is also really beautiful. The poffertjeskraam is a temporary establishment, so it's only at the centre of Laren during the spring and summer. They build it up every spring and break it down at the end of the summer. The thing is that there are also trees at the spot of the poffertjeskraam. They simply solve this by making a hole in the roof . There is a magnificent Dutch proverb for that: "Waarom moeilijk doen als het makkelijk kan". Which translates to, "why should you make a lot of effort when it's possible to do it in an easier way?". I have to say it was quite odd to suddenly see a tree inside the poffertjeskraam. Within the establishment there are several small corners to privatly eat with your friends, family or anyone you want to eat poffertjes with. There are also long tables in the middle at which you can eat with more people and outside there is a little terrace to also sit on.
The baking of the poffertjes takes place right in front of your nose. I'ts wonderful to see the baking live! Next to the poffertjes they also serve waffles. For the waffles they still use a oven they bought in 1890. (Talking about a nice investment a hundred years ago!)

After I ate my portion of poffertjes and one waffle, I was quite satiated and happy about visiting the poffertjeskraam. And then we had to pay..
To my surprise the bill wasn't that shocking. For one portion you pay 2, 75. Most of the time you take two portions, which makes 5,50. It's my humble opinion that such a price is fair for the quality and experience you get. So if your near Laren in the spring or summertime you should really visit this lovely establishment! Highly recommendable!

references and pictures used from the site of poffertjeskraam de Haan: http://www.poffertjeskraamlaren.nl/index.php