Viaamse Frites and Zesty Mayo are a must try treat if you visit Amsterdam. Learn how to make your own homemade Zesty Mayo.
Viaamse Frites and Zesty Mayo
A couple hundred years ago, some brilliant person decided to slice up a few potatoes and fry them in hot oil. Absolutely ingenious and delicious! Served with a topping of homemade mayonnaise, it is like heaven on earth. In the Netherlands and Belgium, they call these fried things of beauty “Vlaamse frites” and they are on every street corner in Amsterdam. Vlaamse frites literally means “Flemish fries,” as the name originated in northern Belgium region of Flanders.
When you are jet lagged, cold, wet from the rain and tired, a combination of the salt and grease from this delicious Vlaamse frites (sometimes seen as Viaamse Frites) comfort food is sure to cure-all of your woes.
15 minutes later after walking by some beautiful gingerbread houses (that look identical to the little bottles they hand out during your KLM flight into Amsterdam) "coffee shops", swans in the canal and several other odd shops in the red light district. We came upon a Frites (French Fries) shop that was sure to cure my craving.
I stood in front of the little take away restaurant and pondered looking at over 18 unique condiments. I was ready to put my order and then I was stopped abruptly by Mr. Anonymous, who reassured me, that I must try the traditional Viaamse Frites and Zesty Mayo.
I watched in amazement as this one man show, "doubled" fried my frites then took them off the fryer to drain and season. He then placed a whopping serving of Vlaamse Frites in the paper dome, drizzled the top with mayo and served it to me piping hot with a little miniature fork.
Please do heed the warning, careful as they are hot. I almost lost complete sensation of my tongue and all surrounding sense organs on my rush to try this yummy treat. Vlaamse Frites have a gorgeously crunch on the outside and are nice and delicate on the inside with a great seasoning. However, it was the mayo that was the star. I had never tasted mayonnaise this good ever. It was not from a bottle, it was homemade and it was zesty and fresh. It was just amazing.
The next day for lunch I ordered Viaamse Frites and mayo again at a different restaurant. No homemade zessty mayo and a real disappointment. Its their special mayonnaise that it the secret.
Amsterdam Mayonnaise
I was on a mission to find out how to make mayonnaise taste like "Amsterdam" mayonnaise. So off to our test kitchen we go...
I started with the usual ingredients in Mayo such as pasteurized eggs, oil, mustard, salt and lemon juice. It was okay but lacked that sparkle so I added more lemon juice, a little better, but still missing something. I tried some wine vinegar and I was closer but it still needed something to make it zesty...cayenne pepper? Now here is the recipe all with just a dash of this and a dash of that but it was pretty close to the Mayo recipe in Amsterdam.
A few months back I posted by recipe for some great some great frites so please take a look at Baked Pommes Frites Chips and French Fries. Now keep reading along to find out to make some authentic Amsterdam homemade mayo to accompany your Viaamse Frites...
Viaamse Frites and Zesty Mayo
Ingredients
- 1 whole egg pasteurized
- 1 egg yolk
pasteurized - 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 cup olive oil
- cayenne pepper
pinch to taste
Instructions
- With a whisk and very strong muscles or a blender, combine egg, egg yolk, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, salt and cayenne. Process until well blended.
- Now slowly pour in olive oil in steady stream until mixture thickens while whisking or blending.
- Serve homemade Amsterdam Mayonnaise with Viaamse (Vlaamse) Frites and enjoy! Recipe for our Baked Frites.
Villy says
If I miss something after living for 5 years in Belgium are the incredible fries! Favorite sauce: Andaluse!!! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Villy, I am glad that I could bring back some memories for you. These frites are just gorgeous! I have little self discipline to eat frites only on special occasions. I see why bike riding is such a favorite pass time there...have to do something to burn off those extra calories. Take care, BAM
ChgoJohn says
I've been to Amsterdam a number of times, BAM, and always enjoyed it. The people are so friendly and the city is beautiful, no matter when you visit. I've brought back a number of bulbs each time I've visited and never had a problem going through customs, so long as the bulbs were soil-free and certified. I've left some beautiful tulips at a number of the places I've lived across Chicago. 🙂
You've got me wanting fries and mayo now and I was perfectly happy without them. I need to get to work and make some of your mayo. And double-frying the potatoes is the key to crispy fries!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Bonjourno John! Hong Kong/China actually has loose custom standards compared to any other country as people always have to bring in their Chinese medicine and sorts to and from, so a few bulbs here and there is no problemo.
I am sorry I have everyone craving the salts and fats of the perfect Belgium fries but when the weather cools down, our body, well at least mine, craves the comfort foods.
So how is your whole IT connectivity going? Any resolutions or are you at a Starbucks getting caught up? Take care, BAM
Mich Piece of Cake says
Wow those fries look amazing... i'll remember to eat them if I do visit Amsterdam.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. A must try if you ever have a layover/visit in Amsterdam. They are conveniently located almost on every street corner.
David Crichton says
Absolute heaven. Scorching hot with salt and vinegar. Strange how the best condiments for chips is an argument that could go on forever.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello David, thanks for stopping by. Salt and vinegar is also very sublime. I enjoy this as well with a side of fish. However, it is the "double fried frites" that are the star of the show. I think everyone craves a little comfort food this time of the year and we only live once. Take Care, BAM
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
What a fun post! I love the house with the red shutters. It's not even noon and I want fries.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. The Amsterdam architecture is beautiful. They look like little gingerbread houses all lined up in a row. However did you know that because everything is essentially built on a swamp that are their buildings are built on stilts for support first. As you can imagine. architectural changes occur over time due to land changes and many of their houses are not exactly straight but full of character. Have a super day. BAM
Jasline says
I agree Bobbi, french fries are definitely one of the best food inventions on Earth! They're so addictive! Beautiful photos of Amsterdam you've got there! Reminds me of my trip in Amsterdam 🙂 I didn't get to eat the yummy fries in Amsterdam that time, but thanks to you, I think I can re-create them in my own kitchen, thanks Bobbi! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Xie Xie Ni Jasline. I can't think of a country that does not serve frites in one form or another but Belgium and the Netherlands have the lead in this very special dish. Even though the doubled fried frites are the best, I prefer to have the baked ones just to save a few calories. This is not the most low carb meal on Healthy World Cuisine, by any means, but it is really yummy.
So what country is next on your travel bucket list?
Take Care, BAM
Hannah (BitterSweet) says
The fries are mouth-watering of course, but it's your photos of the scene that make me really hungry- For travel! You captured the details so well, I almost feel like I'm there with you.
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am glad that I could bring a little of Amsterdam to you. I was only in Amsterdam less than 24 hours on a layover but just long enough to get a nice flavor of both the culture and the food. Amsterdam has amazing architecture, lovely canal walks, beautiful swans, great museums amusing red light district and have I mentioned the best fries in the world! Take care, BAM
Karista says
Although we. Darn iPad auto correct!
Karista says
I agree! The invention of fries was genius! We too love fries, although her we, or rather I should say I, dunk them in ketchup. My youngest gal prefers tartar sauce and my husband is the mayo dunker. Love your post and gorgeous photos!
Healthy World Cuisine says
That is the beauty of Amsterdam as they have a dipping sauce that is perfect for everyone. The frites shop I visited had something like 18 different types of dip for your fries. Seriously until my visit to Amsterdam, I was a ketchup girl all the way. However, after my first bite of their special Amsterdam homemade mayo I think I have changed my mind. Take care, BAM
yummychunklet says
I remember seeing a tv spot about these Belgian type of fries. They look tasty!
Healthy World Cuisine says
If you ever visit Amsterdam, it is a must try. However, until then give my frites and mayo recipe a try as it is pretty close in taste. Take care, BAM
schneckspeck says
Its all about the fat! These frites are baked in ox kidney fat. First at 140°, second at 190°.
Healthy World Cuisine says
No doubt! That is why they are soooo great! Not only fried twice but then you put dollops of mayo on top. I shutter to think about the calories but you do only live once! Take Care, BAM
kitchenriffs says
I need to travel there to try these fries! Next best thing, of course, is to try your recipe. Good fries I can make, and I know what they should taste like. The mayo there I haven't tasted, so I'll absolutely trust you on these - the mayo looks first rate. Good stuff - thanks.
Healthy World Cuisine says
I know it sounds strange but I have never tasted Mayo so good as it was in Amsterdam. Take care, BAM
Joyce Barnes says
Oh! stop the torture! We are on a low fat low salt diet here! I can make baked wedges and sub no fat yogurt for the mayo, but it is so not the same thing!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Joyce, you are so funny. I promise I have some healthy things on the way soon. Have you even made steamed Cantonese fish? Be sure to try our Asian Steamed Fish.
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
I love this.. the vibrant colors in Amsterdam were so invigorating to see (gray and cold here in Calgary). Celia made some mayo as well.. this is really calling out to me!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I must say it rained almost non-stop when we were in Amsterdam as well. It was cold, wet and rainy. I think that is why the frites really hit the spot as they were warm and comforting. Take care, BAM
Choc Chip Uru says
There is something so ridiculously delicious about fries when I saw your pics, I actually went downstairs and baked some 😉
Fantastic pics!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
There is nothing better than a little grease and salt to cure any cravings. Great comfort food. Take care, BAM
Mama Miyuki Easy Pantsy says
Very nice..