7 Famous European Food Dishes From 7 Different Countries

Nothing brings people together better than good food. A country's food speaks a lot about its culture, heritage and people. Europe, located in the Northern Hemisphere is home to about 44 countries, Netherlands, United Kingdom, France and Italy being some of the few well-known countries. We're picking some of our six favorites. The English breakfast, also called the good ole fry-up colloquially, due to the presence of mostly fried food items, is the world-famous English breakfast spread, fit for a king. The platter usually consists of baked beans, eggs, ham, fried tomatoes, bacon, sausages, black pudding, mushrooms, toast, and a beverage such as coffee or tea. The eggs are usually served sunny-side up and, the acidity from the tomatoes helps counter all the fatty goodness that is served on the plate. The English breakfast is a must-have for everyone at once in their life. Greece is not only notable for its famed Greek mythology and beautiful beaches, but for some of the most delicious dishes around Europe. Gyros, one of the most popular street foods consists of a flatbread called pita. Filled with meat that is cooked on a vertical spit. Topped with tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables, gyros is one of the most sought-after street food by tourists. Goulash a traditional Hungarian stew made with lots of fresh tomatoes, bell peppers and a healthy serving of meat, usually with chunks of beef and pork that become tender during the slow cooking process, is extremely famous. Paprika is an indispensable condiment used in the stew that gives it a rich, smoky flavor. The stew is usually served in Hungary with buttered egg noodles called spätzle. This slow-cooked stew will work its way into your taste buds. Pierogi or pierogies are Polish-style dumplings usually made with noodle flour dough. Traditionally, pierogies are filled with potatoes and quark cheese and boiled in salt water. However, these thinly rolled dough treats can be filled with anything ranging from meat such as beef, lamb, chicken, to sweet fillings that include berries and jam. One of the favorite desserts of some Russian tsars, Catherine II, and Ivan the Terrible, Varenye, is a traditional Russian homemade jam. But there is nothing simple about this dish. Traditional Varenye is made of fruits and berries cooked together with sugar. The fruits and berries are cooked carefully so as not to lose their shape. Strawberries, apricots, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries are usually used and the dish is either eaten as it is or used as toppings in pancakes or as fillings in pies and cookies. Rightly labeled as Switzerland's national dish, cheese fondue is a bubbling, gooey, melting pot of cheese flavored with cherry brandy, white wine, or a sprinkle of nutmeg. The pot of cheese is placed over a burning stove to keep the cheese molten and warm. Swiss cheese fondue is eaten by dipping bread. Fondue is the perfect treat for all cheese lovers around the world. One of the dishes which is commonly eaten in almost all of Germany commonly is potato fritters or also known as potato pancakes. It's also known as Karottenpuffer in Germany. Imagine potatoes, egg and flour fried to perfection served with apple sauce or yogurt sauce. Meat is common in Germany so this can also be served as a part of a meal and it tastes great as a side dish with meat. If you enjoyed this small trip around Europe's cuisine and your mouths watered just as much as ours, then don't forget to like and subscribe to Explified. Until next time.