What culinary influence is best demonstrated by the elaborate Rijsttafel feast?
Colonial relationship with Indonesia.
The *Rijsttafel* (rice table) serves as the most elaborate and prominent example of culinary fusion resulting directly from the Netherlands' long colonial relationship with Indonesia. This preparation is presented as a substantial Indonesian feast adapted for Dutch restaurants, involving the serving of dozens of distinct, small dishes accompanying a central portion of white rice. These accompaniments can range widely, incorporating elements like *satay* skewers and spicy *sambal*. The integration of these flavors is so profound that the Chinese-Indonesian restaurant culture, which facilitated many of these fusions, has been officially recognized as Dutch intangible cultural heritage, demonstrating deep integration beyond just snacks like the *Bamischijf*.
