Glossary N
New Catch Holland Herring is another name of Hollandse Nieuwe. In the Netherlands June is the month of New Catch Holland Herring at a time of year when the silver fish gain up to 25% fat from feasting on plankton in the waters of the North Sea.
The first barrel of "Hollandse Nieuwe" — or "Maatjesharing", as the green or matjes herring is called — is put on auction in the last week of May. This auction officially opens the herring season.
In the weeks that follow the first auction there are several herring parties, days and special activities.
The most well known of these events is the Vlaggetjesdag in Scheveningen, where a herring fleet abundantly decorated with flags, celebrates the opening of the new season.
And though not as expensive as the first barrel of Hollandse Nieuwe, the "Koniginenharing" (Queen's herring) is probably the best herring around.
This is judged upon the fat percentage of the fish, with the higher percentage of fat making a better tasting fish. These fish are normally caught a few weeks after the opening of the season in the second half of June.
Customarily, if available, a barrel of this royal fish is presented to Queen Beatrix.
Herring can be preserved and sold all year, but Hollandse Nieuwe is only available from the middle of May to the middle of July, when it is eaten in its typical manner, that is, straight down the hatch!
After July, herring is only referred to as Maatjesharing — older and green herring taste different.
Nilat-Ang Baka means boiled Baka (beef) with Vegetables which is a typical Cebuano dish. In Tagalos dialect this dish is called Nilagang Baka. Nilat-Ang Baka is made by slowly cooking the beef with correct spices and then the vegetables are added towards the end. It is said that short ribs is the best part to use when cooking Nilat-Ang Baka.
Cebu is a famous city in the South or the Visayas Region of the Philippines.
Nasi Kunyit refers to Malaysian "Turmeric Rice". This dish is traditionally served during the Chinese and Malay festival, which is now sold at hawker stalls found in Penang. Nasi Kunyit is made from glutinous rice which is steamed together with grated turmeric, coconut milk, pandan leaves, ground black pepper and salt. It can be eaten plain with a bit of sugar or can be served with chicken curry.
Penang is a state of Malaysia.