On September 13th, Old Amsterdam was part of the first Harbor Day ever in New York City. The Old Amsterdam flat bottom boat joined the parade of Dutch and American ships that circled the Statue of Liberty and sail up the Hudson River. The highlight of Harbor Day was the grand 'Holland on the Hudson' flotilla, with the Half Moon replica as centerpiece. Thousands of people watched the parade from the shores of lower Manhattan.
Old Amsterdam is a proud sponsor of an old Dutch flat bottom from Huizen, a village in the Netherlands were the Westland company was founded. The authentic fisherman’s boat is part of a flotilla of 17 leeboard vessels from Holland that are apart of different NY400 festivities from September 8th until 20th.
Ingredients:
* * 6 strips bacon, cut in ½” pieces * * 2 tbsp butter * * 2 garlic cloves, minced * * 2 cups leeks, thinly sliced, white and green parts only. * * 1 tsp thyme * * 2 tbsp Dijon mustard * * 8 oz Crème Fraiche 1 cup freshly grated Old Amsterdam aged gouda * * 2 lbs potatoes-Yukon Gold, Russetts or Red Bliss, peeled and sliced 1/8” thick.
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly butter 8 x 8 shallow baking dish. In large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp, set aside, drain bacon fat, reserving brown bits; reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add leeks and garlic and continue to cook, stirring often, for about 3+ minutes, until leeks are softened. Remove from heat, season with thyme, stir in mustard and Crème Fraiche. Set aside.
Place 1/3 sliced and peeled potatoes into baking dish; sprinkle with ½ reserved bacon. Spoon ½ leek mixture over top. Repeat layer of potatoes, bacon and leek mixture. Top with remaining potatoes. Cover with foil and bake 45+ minutes or until potatoes are tender. Remove foil, sprinkle with grated Old Amsterdam and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand 5 minutes.
