Belgian-Macedonian Business Club

Chef Mark is in full action: the Belgian embassy is offering a “friendship drink”.

Mark, what is a friendship drink?

It is when all participants join at the end of a meeting, game or any other event to raise glasses, toast friendship and munch on a few appetizers.

Mark, what did you bring?

Today, I brought homemade pâté, baguette, Belgian beers, wine and Belgian chocolates of course.

Tell me, pâté… is it not for dogs?

Dog food is made of meat byproducts, bones and fat. Our pâté is much finer, typically a traditional mix of ground pork meat, liver with fattier cuts such as bacon, blade or neck.

You have duck, goose or game pâté that can be, to name a few, pepper, orange or apple flavored.

The pâté we find in Macedonia is usually canned and of lesser quality (seasoned ground meat, tuna, chicken) mixed with onions, peppers, ajvar… adapted to the local market.

What do you eat pâté with?

Mostly with bread, be it white, whole wheat, baguette or crackers…  You just need a base to spread pâté on.

Which beers did you bring?

I brought a representative sample of our best-known Belgian beers:  Cherry Kriek, blond and dark Leffe, Chimay trappiste, Duvel and Chouffe that are very tasty slightly stronger beers.

Why did you choose pâté?

Because pâté is a traditional belgian food that we enjoy sharing at such events. It is usually served with onions, pickles, mustard, good bread and beer.

Pâté, Belgian beer, dark bread: do you find these in Macedonia?

It depends… on the quality you are looking for. Today’s pâté was personally selected by the ambassador and brought from Sofia.  Beer on the other hand can be found in every supermarket.

We are fortunate to have Pastel in Skopje, a renowned bakery where you can get lots of quality products whenever needed.

No fuss around pâté !

Make yourself at home, it’s a finger food!