My gloomy month is a little bit brighter today, because the Netherlands, the country that represents that majority of my heritage, has beaten Uruguay and is going to the FIFA World Cup Final!

One of my friends from Toronto informed me that she'll be attending a World Cup potluck party where the foods must be indicative of the cultures involved. But, she had no idea what "Dutch food" consists of. Well, I was happy to oblige! Below is my advice:

Traditional Dutch foods include:

- Pannekoeken: Pancakes, flat-style like crepes. I may be a Canadian by default, but I've always preferred pannekoeken to flapjacks.

- Stamppot: (pronounced "stompoht") which is a mash that includes vegetable(s) other than potato. My mom made it with carrots and onion, but I've made versions with turnips, zucchini, or spinach. Best served with sausages!

- Appelflappen are beer-battered, fried apple slices dusted with icing sugar. Traditionally served on New Years Eve but good for any celebratory event.

- Hagelslag is putting butter and chocolate sprinkles on fresh-baked, fluffy white bread. See if you can find some De Ruijter brand sprinkles at your local specialty store.

- Heineken Pilsner has been made in the Netherlands by the same company since 1873, using the same yeast strain the company developed during the very dawn of bacteriology.

And if you go for cheese, don't just get Gouda. There's also Edam, from the town of the same name where my maternal Dutch ancestors hail from.

NEDERLAND! NEDERLAND!