Quite simply the loveliest and most popular celebration cake in Sweden. Let me explain, this is Prinsesstårta or Princess cake, so called because Princesses Margaretha, Märtha, and Astrid, daughters of Prince Carl, brother of King Gustaf V loved it so. And they weren’t alone. It promptly became popular in Sweden and Finland. Every year around 500,000…
scandinavian
Pea & Dill Cakes with Beetroot Yogurt
It’s almost that time of year when we are besieged by green vegetables. After a few years off planting in my little kitchen garden, I’ve taken an almighty leap and sown all my veggie beds. Many are still tiny shoots but I eagerly anticipate harvesting courgettes, carrots, beetroot, kale, Swiss chard and peas. Assuming (the…
Kladdkaka – Sticky Chocolate Cake
This decedent dark chocolate torte is possibly Sweden’s most popular cake. Without exception, every cafe boasting its own unique version. This rich, dense, incredibly simple cake has few ingredients. Baked just long enough to form a crisp exterior, while remaining gooey and mousse like in the centre, kladd means sticky in Swedish. Serve at room…
Swedish Seeded Limpa Bread
There is quite a revolution happening in British kitchens, no longer are we satisfied with supermarket pre-packed sliced, we want to master a home baked loaf. Now if you follow my blog you’ll know that I am a sourdough addict, occasionally though I find I just haven’t enough time to bake my sourdough. This is…
Laxpudding (Swedish Salmon & Potato Pudding)
Midsummer is upon us and Swedes are fairly well tuned into the rhythms of nature. At this time, many begin their long annual summer break and everyone is in a hurry to get things done and prepared during the relatively short summer season. Midsummer’s Eve is celebrated in the countryside and on the day before,…
Beetroot & Horseradish Cured Gravad Lax
Gravad lax these days is so readily available, the lightly cured salmon with a scattering of chopped dill, I find the commercial versions often taste incredibly similar and the accompanying mustard sauce can be too acidic and intense. The salmon I ate in Sweden, prepared by my mother and grandmother always tasted so fresh, with…
Swedish Fish Soup with Saffron Rouille
If ever you find yourself in Stockholm at the Food-hall (Saluhall) at lunchtime you will do well to join the local shoppers and office workers in a bowl of fish soup. Swedes like to eat lunch early, we’re talking midday or even earlier! You’ll find yourself sitting at a table where you will be jostled…
Semlor Buns (Swedish Lent Buns)
The merest hint of cardamom or cinnamon instantly triggers memories of my childhood. The smell of meatballs sizzling in butter and the comforting feeling when the air is scented with pepparkakor fresh from the oven. How smell can evoke such happy, mouthwatering memories. My mother and grandmother always had buns of differing flavours in the…
Venison à la Lindström with Spiced Celeriac Remoulade
January feels like we’re lumbering through the grey and the cold that forces its way through our clothes and into our bones. I need comfort at this time of year and it had occurred to me whilst sitting in my kitchen flicking through my recipe notebook that I hadn’t made this Swedish classic for some time. ‘Biff à la Lindström’ Beetroot,…
Slow Cooked Pigs Cheeks
Each year, the plunge into winter makes me grateful for a well-stocked larder and freezer, it makes it easy to create a repast even when it’s too cold to go outside and stock up on this-or-that. This is a wonderful prepare ahead dish, requires a little effort but well worth it. It’s comfort food at its best, a casserole with deliciously tender…
