So we were in Leiden, the photographic walking tour ended up being a bit of a bust, but it was a Saturday, and therefore it was Market Day.
Netherlands markets are just amazing and wonderful! There is so much to see, hear, smell, and touch, they inspire all your senses.
Being that we weren’t in the same town as home, we opted to not purchase the fresh fruit and vegetables. Nor did we indulge in the amazing fresh fish, though I suddenly had all sorts of wonderful plans for dinner that evening!
The fungi stall though. Oh my goodness, the fungi stall. I think my only restraint here was the fact that Himself doesn’t eat mushrooms. (More for me!)
Though I may have splurged in something that would survive the trip home, and was a little off to one side of this stall …
Yes. I bought a whole string. Yes, the house now smells like smoked garlic. You got a problem with that?
The cheese stall wasn’t to be walked past either. Even though all of the Netherlands is known for its cheese, Leiden is known for its cumin cheese!
I found it to be a turning point in my life when I saw the drop and chocolate stall, my inner child went “YAY!!!”, then the rest of me kicked in and wondered “Now what?”
No purchases made there then.
As always, when the weather is fine, there are cafés on the edges of canals to sit in, and wine to be imbibed in. I discovered a new French wine which is quite to my fancy! I think Himself went Spanish. We’re expanding our horizons!
So all in all, it was a really pleasant (if expensive) day!
What with the cheeses, the garlic, the new tea flavours, the new risotto rice, the truffle salt, the spices, the herbs …
ghoti industries 
One thing I don’t tire off is the Saturday markets, though some days the crush of people is a bit too much. How did this one compare in size and selection to the ones closer to home for you?
Will be very curious to hear about the cooking adventures using your garlic — I’ve never seen smoked garlic here, so have not tried it myself, but will be interested to know how it affects the flavour in comparison with the unsmoked garlic.
Looks like you brought home quite a haul! Yay!
Amsterdam is covered in markets! Depends on what you’re after, and what day it is, which one you go to. They all tend to be “sprawling”.
The very first thing we made was a smoked garlic, smoked duck, paella! With the real (and not overly expensive) saffron which we had also dragged home with us, instead of turmeric which we usually substitute in.
It was to DIE FOR!!! Himself out did … himself. 😀
Tonight I’m going to put some in the truffle risotto I brought home and see how that goes! Excitement all ’round!
Num! Garlic-duck paella sounds incredible and the truffle risotto delicious. Excite and happy tastebuds all around indeed!
We’ll have to feed you up when you come to visit! 😀
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