THE BLOG
Food Culture and Traditions in the Fjords of Norway
This post is sure to be the first of many parts where I dive into Norwegian food culture, and what makes it different, special and unique. Having lived in multiple countries, I am fascinated with both differences and similarities among countries, which is what inspired me to write a few words on this topic.
A Summery Lemon-Vanilla Cake with Strawberries
I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that Norwegians hold a record as one of the most enthusiastic cake bakers in the world. We also love to eat cake more often than not. I find our cake culture very special, particularly in Sunnmøre, where I’m from. This is where the tradition is particularly strong. It’s not uncommon to see 20 different cakes being brought out to the table at any one festivity such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings or holiday celebrations.
Easy No-Knead Bread Recipe
I can’t imagine a world without bread. Perhaps it’s the Scandinavian in me, but I feel tremendous happiness in enjoying a big hunk of bread, slathered with butter or some other topping, paired with a nice glass of wine. Give me that, and that’s all I knead (pun intended).
Celebrating Midsummer with Norwegian Rømmegrøt
Jonsok, or Sankthansaften, is a midsummer marker traditionally celebrated on June 24th and historically a Catholic holiday. Jonsok / Sankthans is named after the baptist Johannes, whose Danish saint name is St. Hans. Religious history describes how Johannes baptized Jesus in the Jordan river, and was the first one who recognized him as the Messiah. The word Jonsok is an Old Norse word which translates to “waking night for Jon” (short for Johannes).
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
One of my favorite memories from my childhood in Norway is when my mom would make a simple, creamy cauliflower soup for dinner. She would also buy a baguette (white bread—a luxury in my home) and we would slather it with butter and eat the soup with my mom’s homemade saft (a fruit concentrate blended with water) that were pressed from red and blackcurrants we grew in the garden. Nothing could be simpler, but yet it seemed like a really special meal to me.
A Classic Norwegian Potato Salad
Now that Easter is officially over, we’re at full speed ahead preparing for May 17th, Norway’s Constitution Day and easily one of the most celebrated days of the year for Norwegians. This made me think of potato salad, the most classic of dishes served no only on this day, but in the weeks and season ahead.
A Wine Lover’s Carrot Cake
he best part about being in the food and wine business is that you’re always exposed to fun, & unique and high-quality products made by creative folks who are just as passionate about this business as I am.One of these products and companies is...
Norwegian Beet and “Herring” Salad
The time of the year has come yet again when Norwegians either flock to their cabins in the mountains or vacation homes by the sea, read crime novels, eat oranges and chocolates called kvikklunsj (think Kit Kat but 10 x better). Many people take an entire week off from work and regular life to celebrate the return of longer days, the disappearance of the snow (yet we’d still like it on the mountains so we can ski), and the sight of the sun again.
Norwegian Hvetestang with Vanilla Custard
With the first day of spring officially here, I start thinking about foods that resemble sunshine. In Norway, we celebrate the return of the sun after a long, dark winter and the northern lights are replaced by the midnight sun. That doesn’t mean we switch out our drinks though, as coffee is just as popular in the summer as it is in the winter.
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls for St. Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I started thinking about all the green food I truly enjoy and my mind came to kålruletter or stuffed cabbage leaves which is a classic Norwegian dish. Typically they are stuffed with ground pork, but since pigs are my friends, not...
Norwegian Fastelavnsboller with a Swedish Twist
Fastelavn is celebrated the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and evolved from the Roman Catholic tradition of celebrating the days before Lent. Often referred to as the Nordic Halloween, children will dress up in costumes and gather treats for the fastelavnfeast. Although we don’t see as much of this tradition in Norway, it’s still practiced in Denmark, who I think are the masters of fastelavn and are known for parades and festivities across the country.
Food Culture and Traditions in the Fjords of Norway
This post is sure to be the first of many parts where I dive into Norwegian food culture, and what makes it different, special and unique. Having lived in multiple countries, I am fascinated with both differences and similarities among countries, which is what inspired me to write a few words on this topic.
A Summery Lemon-Vanilla Cake with Strawberries
I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that Norwegians hold a record as one of the most enthusiastic cake bakers in the world. We also love to eat cake more often than not. I find our cake culture very special, particularly in Sunnmøre, where I’m from. This is where the tradition is particularly strong. It’s not uncommon to see 20 different cakes being brought out to the table at any one festivity such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings or holiday celebrations.
Easy No-Knead Bread Recipe
I can’t imagine a world without bread. Perhaps it’s the Scandinavian in me, but I feel tremendous happiness in enjoying a big hunk of bread, slathered with butter or some other topping, paired with a nice glass of wine. Give me that, and that’s all I knead (pun intended).
Celebrating Midsummer with Norwegian Rømmegrøt
Jonsok, or Sankthansaften, is a midsummer marker traditionally celebrated on June 24th and historically a Catholic holiday. Jonsok / Sankthans is named after the baptist Johannes, whose Danish saint name is St. Hans. Religious history describes how Johannes baptized Jesus in the Jordan river, and was the first one who recognized him as the Messiah. The word Jonsok is an Old Norse word which translates to “waking night for Jon” (short for Johannes).
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
One of my favorite memories from my childhood in Norway is when my mom would make a simple, creamy cauliflower soup for dinner. She would also buy a baguette (white bread—a luxury in my home) and we would slather it with butter and eat the soup with my mom’s homemade saft (a fruit concentrate blended with water) that were pressed from red and blackcurrants we grew in the garden. Nothing could be simpler, but yet it seemed like a really special meal to me.
A Classic Norwegian Potato Salad
Now that Easter is officially over, we’re at full speed ahead preparing for May 17th, Norway’s Constitution Day and easily one of the most celebrated days of the year for Norwegians. This made me think of potato salad, the most classic of dishes served no only on this day, but in the weeks and season ahead.
A Wine Lover’s Carrot Cake
he best part about being in the food and wine business is that you’re always exposed to fun, & unique and high-quality products made by creative folks who are just as passionate about this business as I am.One of these products and companies is...
Norwegian Beet and “Herring” Salad
The time of the year has come yet again when Norwegians either flock to their cabins in the mountains or vacation homes by the sea, read crime novels, eat oranges and chocolates called kvikklunsj (think Kit Kat but 10 x better). Many people take an entire week off from work and regular life to celebrate the return of longer days, the disappearance of the snow (yet we’d still like it on the mountains so we can ski), and the sight of the sun again.
Norwegian Hvetestang with Vanilla Custard
With the first day of spring officially here, I start thinking about foods that resemble sunshine. In Norway, we celebrate the return of the sun after a long, dark winter and the northern lights are replaced by the midnight sun. That doesn’t mean we switch out our drinks though, as coffee is just as popular in the summer as it is in the winter.
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls for St. Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I started thinking about all the green food I truly enjoy and my mind came to kålruletter or stuffed cabbage leaves which is a classic Norwegian dish. Typically they are stuffed with ground pork, but since pigs are my friends, not...