Berenklauw is a Dutch street food consisting of meatballs and onions on a wooden skewer, often served with peanut sauce. It is commonly sold at snack bars in the Netherlands and has inspired variations in other countries.
Berenklauw refers to a common Dutch street food which mainly consists of meatballs and onions which are fried and served together on a wooden skewer. In English, the object is referred to as a bear claw. This dish is typically prepared and sold in the Netherlands at snack bars, stalls or outdoor counters. Snack bars in the Netherlands generally serve quick and inexpensive fried foods and are often found in clusters near heavily populated areas of cities, such as near public transport stations.
The process of making a berenklauw usually begins with forming ground beef, pork, or other meat into balls and lightly frying the patties until cooked through. The meatballs can be cut up before being skewered or they can be kept whole for a heartier dish. The other main part of the dish involves slicing onions and then alternating them in a wooden skewer with meatballs. Once the skewer is assembled with alternating meatballs and onions, the skewer is dipped into hot oil to fry the meatballs and onion. After the berenklauw is fried, it is often served with a sauce either on the item itself or with the sauce on the side.
The most common sauce that is served with berenklauws tends to be an Indonesian-inspired peanut sauce. Peanut sauce is often associated primarily with satay, an Indonesian and Thai dish consisting of grilled meat that is served on skewers. As Indonesia was once a colony of the Dutch, many foods commonly eaten in the Netherlands are derived from traditional Indonesian cuisine. Peanut sauce is usually made with peanut butter, soy sauce, red chili paste, and brown sugar, and has a distinctly spicy, sweet flavor.
Although peanut sauce is usually the preferred condiment for a berenklauw, an alternative serving sauce is known as zigeunersaus or gypsy sauce. Gypsy sauce is a tomato-based sauce, made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, or even ketchup. It is mostly flavored with sweet or hot Hungarian paprika, depending on the desired level of spiciness. Gypsy sauce may also contain onions, peppers, garlic, and a sweetener such as brown sugar, honey, or agave nectar, for added flavor.
Restaurants all over the world have dishes that are variations on the traditional berenklauw street food. For example, some cafes may turn the snack into a full meal and serve sandwiches of meatballs and sliced onions covered in peanut sauce to mimic the flavors of the traditional dish. Pubs and other food establishments may also make smaller versions of the fried meatball and onion ball kebabs as appetizers.
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