Food guru Rens Kroes has already had quite a festive week: she celebrated King's Day and her birthday. Does Rens give in to a few beers or fries with mayo?
You had your birthday yesterday, how did you celebrate it?
‘It was finally quiet: my birthday always used to fall on Queen's Day.’
Did you receive any good gifts?
‘I received a lot of cookbooks, I can never get enough of them. I am now a big fan of Donna Hay: she cooks deliciously. I always make sure to add a healthy twist myself.’
What was on the birthday menu?
It started with an extensive breakfast with scrambled eggs and smoothies. Oh, and I made a delicious birthday orangecakee in the evening I went out to dinner with friends and we had cocktails.’
Honestly. Do you really always eat healthy? Even on your birthday?
‘Healthy food is really my job, so I want to be strict about it. Besides feeling absolutely better and more energetic, I also have to set a good example. I don't find it difficult at all. Yesterday I had a piece of cake, so I don't need to have that for a while. Easy as that.’
Did you have a nice lukewarm beer on King's Day then?
‘No, I don't drink beer. Mostly a lot of water. I had a really wonderful day, got up early to browse stalls with friends. Saw a lot, but bought nothing. In the afternoon I went to restaurant De Luwte to have a glass of champagne (or cava, it was something with bubbles anyway).’
Your own cookbook is coming out soon. How cool is that?!
‘Yes! It has turned out incredibly beautiful and I am very proud. The photographers of the photos also got to taste everything and they were very enthusiastic. I really hope I can inspire people to live a healthy and delicious life with this.’
Where have you been cooking all those dishes?
‘In the very small kitchen of my apartment in Amsterdam. Really, it is so small that there is no room for a dishwasher. I barely had space to write down a recipe. Cooking didn't always go well either: I think I made a pumpkin almond pie about five times. Sometimes I took all my stuff to my parents in Friesland. They have a really nice big kitchen, so I got to work there.
You always know what to cook in the evening, right?
‘Definitely not. Then I just look at what is in my fridge and try to make something out of it. That can also completely fail, you know. I always try to cook extensively for myself, even if I'm alone. Then I also eat at the dining table with a magazine or sometimes in front of the TV with RTL Boulevard. Actually not good at all, you should chew well and be aware of what you eat.’
Is there something you absolutely don't like?
‘I used to find Brussels sprouts really disgusting, but lately I can prepare them very tasty in the wok. Other than that, I am really an omnivore. Oh wait. Eel! I'm not so fond of that.’
What does your weekend look like?
‘A friend of mine has organized a surprise party for me. She is also my assistant and can cook wonderfully. So I think there will be a table full of healthy things ready. But other than that, I only know that I have to dress festively and be at her house at a certain time.’
Lastly, do you have a nice recipe for us?
‘Sure. You definitely have to make cashew bliss balls, a delicious healthy snack. Here it comes.‘
Recipe: Cashew bliss balls
Ingredients (about 10 balls)
- 90 grams of raw cashews
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa
- 75 grams of dates
- 1 tablespoon of oat flour
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla powder, sugar-free sesame seeds, roasted
Preparation
First, mix the cashews in the blender until a fine mass. Then add the dates, maple syrup, cocoa, oat flour, vanilla, and coconut oil. Mix everything together and then scoop the contents from the blender into a bowl. Take a small piece of the dough, place it in your palm, and make small balls. Roll them in sesame seeds and you are ready to serve! Or put them in the freezer to save for next week.
