Sinterklaas 2012

I write something about this every year, but it still gives me a kick to celebrate the Feast of St Nicholas. Sinterklaas is the Dutch version but we say Santa Clause. It's all the same person really; Father Christmas.

I'm not sure where he came from, but possibly Turkey. He then became a bishop in Spain and arrived in Holland by boat, apparently on December 5th. His entourage consisted of one or more dark-skinned helpers all called Zwarte Piet. He also brought a fine white horse which he rode through the streets.

Now you can believe all this or not, but it's best to play along like I do. That way you get a bit of a party, some Dutch food, a sing-song and a present.

This year the party consisted of quite an extensive family gathering with sister Katy from Amsterdam, Susy from Portland ME, Nick and Gabby from London, and ourselves, of course.

The food was snert, baked potatoes with cheese, rye bread and a bunch of delicious extras from Mill Road Festival, including Korean Sushi.

"What exactly is snert?" I hear you say.

It's basically a very thick soup made from split peas, ham and sausage. You can just dunk a pack of dried peas in a saucepan of water, add a big chunk of gammon or ham and leave to simmer for about an hour. At this point the peas no longer exist and the soup looks like something you might find up a nostril. We call it snot soup.  ('Cos it's not soup?)

At this point you cut up the ham and put it back in the snert with a few vegetables and a wadge of whole, smoked sausages; slap the lid on and carry on drinking Dutch lager for another hour.

Window artwork by Nick Stevenson

When you can't wait any longer, take out the sausages and slice them as a side dish, then cut the soup into slices and serve!

There are proper recipes on line. Try BBC Good Food first.

For the music, you have to get hold of some Dutch CDs. On-line, you can get loads of songs if you search "Sinterklaas Songs". They all sound the same by the way. It doesn't matter which ones you choose they will sound like a school assembly with Miss Curwen at the piano; kitsch, but nice.

To get a present, you have to put out your shoe. So I got a cheese grater, Dutch cigars (heel leker, by the way) and a garlic squasher-upper. All the girls had mini Zwarte Piet hats, scarves and Dutch liquorice. Dan had nuts, a nut cracker, videos and DVDs.

So now we have Christmas to look forward to. We are just getting in the mood but don't intend to put upo decorations for another week at least.

Try this on You Tube.