Lee, my son and I set out on yet another adventure in Amsterdam. We woke up early and had a breakfast together and then went to meet the train to take us to Lelystad, Flevoland where our friends live.
The train ride was about an hour long and then we caught a bus which should have been around 20 minutes but we stopped off at an Albert Heyn to buy some flowers. This was a big mistake as the next bus to go just one stop would only arrive an hour later so we had to call our hosts to fetch us from there. It was only a 10 minute walk but the wind was very cold so we decided not to walk.
Henning, the birthday boy duly collected us and drove us to their house. The following day was Yolandi's birthday - so we had a double celebration to look forward to. This was a real wow moment as we laid eyes on their magnificent view of the lake.
Breathtaking view of the lake in front of their house
Truly magnificent
Such a peaceful view
We sat down and enjoyed some of their homemade biltong and some sparkling wine.
Sparkling wine, biltong and nuts
The sparkling wine
Henning told us the story of the wine and how he had met the mayor from whence it came. The vineyard and winery belongs to the previous Major and his wife of Zellerndorf, Weinviertal, Austria. The vineyard belonged to the family of his wife and when he married into the family the name of the wine changed to Platz - Schwayer (her family surname and his family surname).
It was excellent. I'm not a big drinker but I really enjoyed the sparkling wine.
Excellent
There was another couple their from England that we had met some years back.
Lots of banter and good company and then I went to the kitchen with Yolandi to help cut up some vegetables for the lunch.
Lovely kitchen
Cut up onions, peppers, mushrooms, ginger and sliced cheese
We cut up and placed on two silver trays, onions, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and sliced cheese.
This was placed on the dining room table and then the cooking utensil was plugged in and placed on the table. It is called a raclette.
Dishes with marinated prawns, salmon and steak were placed in bowls on the table.
A raclette meal at home uses a table-top grill like this one. The cheese is melted in small pans called coupelles, which are placed on the grill to heat up the cheese. The grill can also be used to cook meat and vegetables. Source Google.
Steak
little coupelle to cook individually under the grill
The idea was that each guest would place some veg/salad goodies in the little coupelle (spade that went under the grill) and each person cooked their own food on the grill. What an amazing and novel way to entertain.
Prawns, Salmon and Steak on the grill
The birthday cake
Yolandi baked a delicious chocolate cake with lit up bubbles on top.
Tulips and roses adorned the table
Yolandi with her babies, Gollie and Daisy - now 9 and 12 years old
[//]:# (!pinmapple 52.51798 lat 5.47185 long Birthday Lunch with Two Special Friends d3scr)πππ
Lovely home in gorgeous setting, good friends mingling around cooking food for themselves a great idea, nice way to entertain.
Thanks Joan - this is surely a great way to entertain and so inclusive with everyone participating. It was a privilege to be entertained by them
Sounds similar to fondue sharing we used to have, this is far more efficient in allowing more diversity of foods. Being with friends always something refreshingly different.
Yes, I used to love fondue entertainment but this was definitely on another level - such good fellowship @joanstewart - thanks for supporting Eden - she's doing so well with this Vibes contest
I am happy to see the view of your arrangements, like vegetables in try, meat was so fresh, great.
Yes everything was so delicious @asmatkhan
Wow! what an incredible visit. Everything is so special, the food, the decor and even the gorgeous pups.
They're not pups anymore @elfin-essie - Old boy is 12 years old and the lady is 9 years old but still cheeky as ever. The food was amazing and her decor first class - roses and tulips everywhere
Best wishes to Y'all
Thank you !!
Food looks absolutely delicious and the view is phenomenal, excellent blog @pandamama β€οΈ
It was thanks Em - Welcome to Hive @emcandlish - food and view were beyond superb. Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog
Looking forward to your blogs!!
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The lake in front of the house looks exquisite. I want one of those raclettes - love the idea of cooking my food just the way I like it - and I love that it is so social - not one person standing behind a barbecue feeding all.
You really must have one of these. You will love it, I know
It looks like you had a really great time in Flevoland, which is the area Dean's neighbour took us to go sailing on his yacht. Another draft post waiting to be completed! We saw a number of homes along those lakes
I love the idea of the raclette meal!
Ah then you must have sailed past their house @lizelle. Yes, the raclette is simply marvellous. I would love to invest in one some day. I look forward to seeing your post from Flevoland