gerechten

Gerechten is the Dutch term for prepared foods served as part of a meal. A gerecht can refer to a single dish or to the set of dishes that make up a meal, including starters, main courses, and other courses in between.

On menus, gerechten are typically organized into voorgerecht (starter), hoofdgerecht (main course), nagerecht (dessert), and bijgerecht (side dish).

Gerechten vary widely in ingredients and style, including vleesgerechten (meat dishes), visgerechten (fish dishes), groentegerechten (vegetarian dishes), and vegan options. They are prepared by methods such as koken (boiling), bakken (frying or sautéing), stoven (stewing), braden (roasting), and baking.

They are served hot or cold, plated with attention to balance of flavor, texture, and color. Portion sizes and course order depend on tradition and context, but a typical Western-style meal includes a voorgerecht, hoofdgerecht, and nagerecht, with bijgerechten or side dishes optional.

In the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking regions, gerechten reflect a tradition of hearty, seasonal cooking and regional specialties, while contemporary cuisine also embraces international influences and convenience options. Ready-made or frozen gerechten are common in supermarkets as ready-to-heat meals.