NOT JUST THE WEATHER

Over the years a number of my friends have moved to the Netherlands because it is more civilized than the United States, and a better place to live and raise kids. They're still in love with the place. Which I can understand, but non of them are living in Brabant or Limburg. Where, around Autumn nightmarish scenes that are profoundly educational take place.

Recently an article mentioned the traditional English breakfast. Which is also nightmarish and educational, oh golly yes. A large number of Americans claim to love it, but only a few really delve into one of the traditional items which is very nutritional and high in iron. Key to making it is enough grain product so it fries up nicely, the inclusion of chopped firm animal fat for flavour, and above all not allowing the fairer gender into the kitchen when it's being simmered to set.

It's one of those things my mother would not allow into the house, and the more traditional versions have been outlawed. Yet one can easily make it at home nowadays, assuming that one has a butcher shop nearby that does not cater to timid little Anglos.

Probably best to call it by a foreign term.

Marag dubh.

The last time I had a traditional English breakfast I also had acid indigestion for several days. Which is a testament to the fortitude and stamina of people in the British Isles and Ireland, for whom such things are presumably a 365 day a year occurence. Personally I cannot imagine starting my days regularly like that, and the American breakfast is also pretty damned ghastly in all of its forms.

The best I can do is a strong caffeinated beverage, and perhaps buttered toast. Or congee with a fried dough stick. Anything like Marmite or Vegemite should never be included, that's what the garbage can is for. Sausages or bacon require a mound of rice and a bottle of hot sauce. Exceptionally, I can understand where pan-fried marag dubh would be a good inclusion either way, plus something egg.

It's probably why the Huns and Mongols never made it that far west.



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