Basic foods of Europe.

Europe, is the second smallest continent of the world. It occupies one-fifteenth of the world's total land area. Europe enjoys a considerable & long exploited resource base of soil, forest, sea and minerals. The people living here are well educated & highly skilled. There are total 44 countries in Europe today, according to the united nations. European culture is the root of western civilization, which has it's traces back to ancient Greece & ancient Rome.

The European food is vivid like it's culture & history. These cuisine of western countries are diverse, historically, it has been developed in the European royal & noble courts. Today we will discuss the everyday nutriment of Europe. Although the European basic diet is based on bread, fruits, vegetables, meat & cheese.

For better understanding of the cuisine let's divide the European continent into five parts.

Firstly let's begin with Central European cuisine. It is the central region of Europe consisting of countries like Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Serbia & others.

Most foods are based on meat, with pork being most common. Sausages are also adored in Central Europe. Dairy products such as cheese, milk and butter are used extensively. Seafood, bread, pastries, cakes and dumplings are common food. Potatoes is the most common staple bedside breads. Fruits & vegetables are usually pickled. Drinks like beer is consumed largely. Some dishes include schnitzel, sauerkraut, pierogi, goulash etc.

(Pierogi)

Secondly Eastern Europe is the region between Western Europe & Asia. It is the largest and most populous part of Europe. It consists of seven countries and three republics like Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Russian federation & republics of Belarus,  Moldova and Ukraine. Eastern European cuisine also known as Caucasian cuisine is specifically known for it's grain production, the most prominent being wheat, as well as livestock such as cattle. Pancakes, breads, berries and meat are very basic food of Eastern Europe. Cold & hot soups are also vital dishes. All kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown in Eastern Europe. Fresh seafood is also in abundance. Some dishes are Borscht soup, strukli, peka, palacinky, beet soup, apfelstrudel, goulash, cabbage roll, pierogi, chicken kiev, tzatziki.

(Krakow)

Northern European is loosely defined geographical & cultural region in Europe. It include countries like Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, United kingdom of great Britain & few more. The diet generally consists of meat, poultry and seafood, which is accompanied by small side dishes of vegetables and starch. People enjoy dishes like shepherds pie, Yorkshire pudding, tea & cakes, fish & chips, haggis, ploughman's lunch, bangers and mash, colcannon, chocolate mousse etc.

(Icelandic fish)

Southern Europe is also known as Mediterranean Europe, include countries like Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Turkey & Vatican city and more. Southern European meals are based on grains such as rice and wheat. Pasta and bread are popular here. They consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables, dairy products, red meats, chicken and fish. Some of the favorite dishes are tortilla, risotto, pasta, pizza,  dolma, gyros, paella, tiramisu, churros, mousaka, caldo Verde, piyaz, cassoulet, bacalhau, ratatouille and many more.

(Turkish food platter)

Lastly Western Europe, the region which is farthest from Asia. The region is blessed with sceneric landscape of high mountains, farmland & beautiful coastline along the Mediterranean sea, which includes countries like Netherland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Austria, France & Belgium and so on. Foods like steaks and cutlets are common dishes across the west. It emphasize grape wine and sauces as condiments & seasonings. People of this region  preferred to eat their food in the natural state without cooking it extensively. Some of the foods here are pretzels, lentil soup, potato salad, cheese souffle, poffertjes, porchetta, chocolates, waffles, cassoulet and many more.

(Chocolate waffles)

The daily meal of European people is simpler and less varied. The diet consists of of quality produced food which is made with highest standard. They are well known for their healthy food.

Overall these are some everyday and basic foods of Europe.