Witloof and the buren

Kinda has a "children's tale" sorta ring to it. Witloof and the buren.

Well, it's a tale about dinner at our neighbors house. Buren = neighbors and witloof = endive. You know what neighbors are, but you may not know what endive is. So I'll tell you what I know! It's a vegetable that's quite popular here and according to our neighbors, often served in a traditional dish with ham and cheese. So, that's what we had for dinner!

This is a picture of witloof. The leaves are the part that our neighbor cooked in a casserole with a creamy cheese sauce and ham. It's a bit bitter, but her dish was good. The bottom - root part - is chicory. Those of you who drink Community Coffee have definitely heard of chicory. So that's about all I know about witloof.

at the grocery store across the street

So, back to the dinner. Another invited guest was a local doctor. He was an interesting guy who grew up here in Hasselt, studied in Brussels, and now has a family practice here. He lives just around the corner, owns a '68 Ferrari, and is just like our veterinarian - by that I mean . . . he's a one-man-show. I asked lots of questions about this because it is SO different from the States. This doctor is the receptionist, answers the phone, examines the patient, takes up the money, files insurance papers (if necessary), sees patients in the hospital and here's the best part - he visits patients at their house! Or even their office! That's even why he chose not to stay in Brussels and to buy a second car that's tiny. Because of traffic and parking when he goes to see patients at their house!

He certainly feels like this is the best way to practice medicine and he feels like he develops a true relationship with each patient. Of course after working in a hospital and with doctors, I'm not sure it's the BEST way, but I can't help but have an appreciation for it.

Anyway, our neighbors are a nice couple with two nice sons who have been especially welcoming to us. We appreciate their hospitality very much. And now we personally know a doctor and a pharmacist so we may be able to retire the Jim Beam for medical purposes!