A World Cup Feast

Here's how I'm approaching the second round matches:

England v Denmark
Not the best way to start the second round. I almost awarded myself a bye, but decided to settle on some shepherd's pie with some warm beer in the first half.

In honour of Denmark's massive contribution to cuisine I contemplated an open sandwich with shrimps, smoked salmon, marinated herring, smoked herring and egg yolk, radishes and chives, smoked eel with scrambled egg, pork with red cabbage, apples and prunes, and liver paste with pickled cucumber. [Not all in the one sandwich]. A danish pastry seemed a fair compromise.

Senegal v. Sweden
The game commenced with some pickled herring canapes, washed down with some infused vodka. Go Sweden!

The second half of the game saw my plate graced with some Yassa, a traditional Senegalese dish. Yassa begins with chicken, lamb or fish that is marinated in peanut oil and lemon. It is grilled, then stewed, then served over rice with an onion-lemon sauce and a fresh hot chile paste. I went the fish (my partner is a vegequarian - only eats veges and seafood).

Spain v Ireland
A potato and leek soup, with a pint of Guiness (couldn't finish the Guiness much in the way that the Irish couldn't take a penalty).

Grazing away on some tapas in the second half. Love the spicy sausage and grilled baby octupus in garlic!

Mexico v USA
Plan to start with some quick-fried shrimp with sweety toasty garlic, matched with some Tequila (note: the worm's a myth).

Then the hard yards - maybe a chilli dog, or a big slice of pie, washed down with enormous quantities of Coca-Cola or Budweiser. I sincerely hope Mexico gets through this match.

Brazil v Belgium
Some Feijoada - a Black bean and pork stew - will see me through the first half. I figure a lime Caipirihna will suit.

Hmmm, the famous cuisine of Belgium. I'm going to cheat and make Belgium waffles I think. Perhaps I'm getting lazy.

Japan v Turkey
This is a game I'm looking forward to. Sashimi (very fresh - love the local fish markets) and miso soup in the first half.

I feel that I should be out buying food from street vendors to get the Turkish feel happening properly, but will probably settle for some kebabs and Baklava (and some strong coffee).

Sth Korea vs Italy
More cook-it-yourself barbequed meat, perhaps with a potato, tofu and clam stew.

A pasta dish washed down with a red sounds a bit boring for second half fare - perhaps some veal might substitute. With some gelati to cleanse the overworked palate.

But I need your help. Adequacy food or sports nuts - how can I improve my World Cup experience? Local knowledge / 'authentic' recipe suggestions welcomed. I'd like to think that by the final my cooking skills will be as polished as Henrik Larsson's head, and my stomach as full as David Beckham's haircut is bad.

	South Korea vs Italy: dog marinera (none / 0) (#1)
	by Anonymous Reader on Sun Jun 16th, 2002 at 11:38:49 PM PST

	There will be fasting during Brazil vs. Belgium in deference to the wishes of the Belgian families whose sons will be eaten alive on the pitch.

	Looks like... (none / 0) (#2)
	by hauntedattics on Mon Jun 17th, 2002 at 09:56:59 AM PST

	you're going to have to stomach the chili dog and Bud again later this week. Sorry. (Not.)

	Yep (none / 0) (#3)
	by doofus on Mon Jun 17th, 2002 at 10:34:44 AM PST

	(Not.) Yes, whoo and hoo combined. Nice McBride goal in the first half.

	Saurkraut (none / 0) (#4)
	by Narcissus on Mon Jun 17th, 2002 at 10:37:32 AM PST

	at least he can add a little pickled cabbage to make a good meal out of it (I recommend saurkraut and a little dijon mustard). MMMMMMM... -------------------------------- Ok, who picked the flower???

	Neither... (none / 0) (#5)
	by Ernest Bludger on Mon Jun 17th, 2002 at 06:54:36 PM PST

	my eyes nor my stomach could believe it!! A truly horrible result. At least Belgium lost (though I could have gone some nice chocolate truffles if they were playing an evening game). However, the U.S. have beaten Mexico in 5 of the last 6 now, so it was always on the cards.