Filet Americain is seasoned raw minced beef served cold, rather like the French steak tartare. Various seasonings are added to the beef (which must be very lean) to give it flavour: raw or pickled onion, egg yolk, Worcestershire or Tabasco sauce, ketchup, mustard, parsley, capers, salt, pepper and oil. You can eat it in two ways: spread on bread or toast (when it’s called toast kannibaal or ‘cannibal toast’), or as a main meal, accompanied by frites and pickles. If you order it as a main course in a restaurant, it may be prepared at your table so you can have it just how you like it.
