Scandinavian Kitchen

Our favourite clip this week...

If you can't see the whole screen, try this link http://www.artcore.nl/529

Recipe of the week: Danish "Dream cake"

We're not really sure why it is called a dream cake, other than it is very dreamy and more-ish.

Ingredients for the cake

350 grams caster sugar

5 eggs

80 grams margarine or butter

350 ml milk

450 frams flour

3 tsp baking powder

2 tsp vanilla sugar or 2 tsb vanilla extract

 

Ingredients - topping

150 grams butter or margarine

350 grams soft, dark brown sugar

175 grams desiccated coconut

50 ml milk

This is how you do it:

Melt the butter/margarine and put to one side to cool a bit.  Whisk sugar and egg till it is light and frothy.  Sift the flour, baking powder and vanilla (if using vanilla sugar, if using extract, add this at same time as butter) and fold into the mixture (don’t over work it).   Mix margarine and milk and fold carefully into the batter.

Line a baking tray with baking paper (a 30 cm by 30 cm is about right) and add the mixture.  Bake the cake at 170 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes or until almost done (the cake is done when a skewer comes out clean)

To make the topping:

Add all ingredients to a saucepan and melt – stir until all sugar has melted and you have a good spreadable consistency.

When the cake is done add the topping immediately on the whole cake and bake for another 5 minutes on 180 degrees. 

Let cake rest before slicing.

Almost time for Eurovision 2009

We're excited, as per usual:  It's nearly Eurovision time and nearly time for in-country votings, eating grill chips with holiday dipmix and flying the flags of Norway/ Sweden / Denmark / Finalnd and Iceland. 

The bookmakers are actually making Norway the favourite this year - but here are the 5 clips so you can make up your own mind.

The semi-finals are on 12th and 14th May and the final is on 16th May.  Unfortunately, Terry Wogan will not be commentating this year, but hopefully Graham Norton will be just as sarcastic in the job.

NORWAY - little chap with the violin trying to appeal to the Eastern block voters

DENMARK - Ronan Keating re-incarnated, except not as good

SWEDEN - scary women. We're hiding.

ICELAND - Zzzzzzzzzz

FINLAND - euro-chewing gum mixed with some lordi style guitar that sounds like Aqua on speed

A little repeat of frequently asked questions...

Welcome to lots of you new guys reading our blog.  Last year we posted these FAQ's but we feel ti is now time to re-post them.

_{What day of the week do you get delivery?}

_{Tuesday afternoon is the weekly delivery day from Denmark and Sweden.  We get deliveries from Norway slightly less often - do check in with us if you are after something in particular. Next one from Norway is due in in April.}

_{Why do you sometimes run out of products?}

_{We try to keep a good level of stock of all products, but sometimes (especially on short shelf life products) demand fluctuates greatly.  If you let us know what you are after we can put stuff aside for you and we're happy to do weekly standing orders on products you buy regularly. Just pop us an email and we'll sort it from there.}

_{I'm after a very particular product - can you help?}

_{Yep - but if it is quite specific there is a minimum quantity you need to buy.  Note that order time varies and we need a good lead time to get the right stuff in for you. Ask us iloveherring@scandikitchen.co.uk}

 

_{What products do you stock?}

_{We stock over 600 food products from all over Scandinavia - from remoulade, rugbrod, leverpostej for the Danes to Filmjolk and Kalles Kaviar for the Swedes. Norwegians can enjoy anything from Bamsemums to Stabburet Makrel and brunost.  Finns love popping by for Fazer chocolates and salmiakki liquorice.  Let us know iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.uk what you're after, we'll be happy to let you know price and availability.}

_{Is Henrik Rock Star single?}

_{You have to ask him that yourself.}

_{Why do you have more Swedish products in your store than any other?}

_{There are double the amount of Swedes living in London than any other Scandinavian nationality.  On top of that, a lot of Scandinavian products are very similar across the Scandi borders and most importantly, cheaper for you if we buy the Swedish version in - so we do our best to focus on value for you as well as a broad selection. Just ask us if you are looking for something particular and we might just have that product from another country.}

_{Do you deliver and offer mail order?}

_{Officially, no.  We will do in the future, though.  Currently, we try to help out where we can so do ask us.  We charge a small surcharge plus cost of posting/courier (£7 for under 5kg, £10 for 5-15 kg, 24 hours).  We do mail chilled goods, but strictly on receiver’s responsibility.}

_{Do you offer office catering and catering for private functions?}

_{Yes.  Click here for more info.}

_{Where did I put the remote control?}

_{It's behind the left cushion on your sofa.}

_{Do you sell snus and booze?}

_{We have a large selection of Scandinavian aquavit - from OP Anderson to Rod Aalborg, Gammel Dansk and Koskenkorva - as well as beers, from Lapin Kulta to Tuborg.}

_{It is currently illegal to sell snus in the UK - we're not happy about it either - so you'll need to ask your neighbour to send some over to feed your habit.}

_{What day of the week do you get delivery?}

_{Tuesday afternoon is the weekly delivery day from Denmark and Sweden.  We get deliveries from Norway slightly less often - do check in with us if you are after something in particular. Next one from Norway is due in in April.}

_{Why do you sometimes run out of products?}

_{We try to keep a good level of stock of all products, but sometimes (especially on short shelf life products) demand fluctuates greatly.  If you let us know what you are after we can put stuff aside for you and we're happy to do weekly standing orders on products you buy regularly. Just pop us an email and we'll sort it from there.}

_{I'm after a very particular product - can you help?}

_{Yep - but if it is quite specific there is a minimum quantity you need to buy.  Note that order time varies and we need a good lead time to get the right stuff in for you. Ask us iloveherring@scandikitchen.co.uk}

 

_{What products do you stock?}

_{We stock over 600 food products from all over Scandinavia - from remoulade, rugbrod, leverpostej for the Danes to Filmjolk and Kalles Kaviar for the Swedes. Norwegians can enjoy anything from Bamsemums to Stabburet Makrel and brunost.  Finns love popping by for Fazer chocolates and salmiakki liquorice.  Let us know iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.uk what you're after, we'll be happy to let you know price and availability.}

_{Is Henrik Rock Star single?}

_{You have to ask him that yourself.}

_{Why do you have more Swedish products in your store than any other?}

_{There are double the amount of Swedes living in London than any other Scandinavian nationality.  On top of that, a lot of Scandinavian products are very similar across the Scandi borders and most importantly, cheaper for you if we buy the Swedish version in - so we do our best to focus on value for you as well as a broad selection. Just ask us if you are looking for something particular and we might just have that product from another country.}

_{Do you deliver and offer mail order?}

_{Officially, no.  We will do in the future, though.  Currently, we try to help out where we can so do ask us.  We charge a small surcharge plus cost of posting/courier (£7 for under 5kg, £10 for 5-15 kg, 24 hours).  We do mail chilled goods, but strictly on receiver’s responsibility.}

_{Do you offer office catering and catering for private functions?}

_{Yes.  Click here for more info.}

_{Where did I put the remote control?}

_{It's behind the left cushion on your sofa.}

_{Do you sell snus and booze?}

_{We have a large selection of Scandinavian aquavit - from OP Anderson to Rod Aalborg, Gammel Dansk and Koskenkorva - as well as beers, from Lapin Kulta to Tuborg.}

_{It is currently illegal to sell snus in the UK - we're not happy about it either - so you'll need to ask your neighbour to send some over to feed your habit.}

smörgåstårta a la circa 1982

It was a beautiful weekend.  Athough the weather didn't really please, we were happy because we got to eat smörgåstårta, which is basically the sin of Swedish cuisine.  Why?  Well, imagine a bunch of sandwiches struck together into a loaf and then coated in mayonnaise and decorated in the best 80's style you can imagine.  It's yummy - but naughty.

Here's our wonder - we're sure this one would have made any Swedish housewife from the eighties proud.

This smörgåstårta is made with smoked salmon, prawn, crayfish and egg.  Just so you know, we do also make a less 80's version to order for your own party, should you ever need it.

 

 

Easter Opening Times

Hello

We're closed Good Friday and Easter Monday (and Sundays are closed, as per usual) - but we are open on Saturday from 10-18, so pop by then for your last minute Easter stuff and a chit chat.

See you soon

The Kitchen People

x

Little shops we like # 8 - Nordic Balance

The lovely Johanna runs a company called Nordic Balance - a well-being company that encourages balance in everything they do- from  personal training to nutritional advice, massage, yoga, sports conditioning and pilates. It all comes together to form a holistic approach to training, focussed not only on your body, but also on your eating, your state of mind and general wellbeing.

Nordic Balance has long been popular with both locals and ex-pat Scandies alike - and the feedback we have gotten is great, so if you're looking to kick start your fitness or general wellbeing, give them a buzz to see if they are right for you.  If you quote Scandi Kitchen when you get in touch they will give you a complimentary initial assessment and nutritional advice as well.

Their website is http://www.nordicbalance.co.uk

Let the right one in...

A new Swedish film is pre-viewing in London - and guess what?  We've got a pair of tickets for the screening tonight, Tuesday 7th April (at the Barbican).  Not only that, but this screening is followed by a Q&A session with the director, Tomas Alfredson.

If you are free tonight and you want to get your hands on this pair of tickets, answer the following question:

"Let The Right One In" is about:

a) ABBA

b) Vampires

c) ABBA turning into vampires if fed after midnight

Send your answer to iloveherring@scandikitchen.co.uk before midday today and we'll notify you by e-mail if you are the lucky winner.

More info about the film here http://www.barbican.org.uk/film/event-detail.asp?ID=9045

This competition is not open to people who work at Scandi Kitchen, so Seb, stop trying, we know all your alter ego names.   No cash alternative, all responsibility for prize lays with Momentum pictures, no alternative dates for screenings (Tuesday 7th April only).  One entry per person.  No trumpet playing in the cinema and no kissing when the lights go out.

innocent is all over Scandinavia

Many moons ago, our Bronte used to hang out at the innocent 'Fruit Tower' quite a lot.  For around five years, her quest in life was to ensure the people of UK and Europe got their daily fruit.  One day, she woke up and decided her new quest had more to do with herring and open sandwiches and she set up Scandi Kitchen together with The Swede, also known as Jonas.  But she never forgot the friendly bunch in West London.

We just had a bit of a peek this week and wanted to tell all you Scandophiles that you can now get innocent in both Denmark, Norway, Sweden and even Finland.  Bronte is very proud.

Just so you know, Strawberries and Bananas is called Mansikka & banaani in Finnish.  Don't say we don't teach you anything...

Mum, where does ryebread come from?

Ryebread, like babies, are made from people having special hugs and making something beautiful.

We've had a lot of enquiries lately about ryebread, following all the press about Nordic Diet.

At Scandi Kitchen we stock many different kinds of bread and most contain some from of rye - from rye flatbread to Finnish rye bread buns to the Swedish Lingongrova and many, many more.  However, the one that most people are asking about is the Danish style rye bread, which is usually (or, at least, quite often) made from sourdough culture and contain no yeast.  We stock two kinds of this variety - both a light no seed and a multi seed version.

The ryebread comes in fresh daily and is wheat free as well as yeast free.  On top of that, it is also organic - and baked by a Danish baker in London.  Price per loaf is £3.50.

We do bring in quite a big stock every day - however, it does sell out quickly so if you want to guarentee availability then send us a mail either the day before or in the morning and we'll keep a loaf aside for you.  Bigger orders need 24 hours notice.

"Suddenly Sibulla" star robbed in Sweden

A Japenese popstar by the name of Hideki Kaji was apparently robbed last week in Sweden whilst guarding camera eqipment worth thousands.  At the time Mr. Kaji was dressed as a pineapple.

Kaji has recorded his such as "Ramlosa "and "Suddenly Sibylla" 

We were dubious to the factual elements of this story, but you can read the whole story here

Visit the offical website of Kaji here

New hotdog eating champions at SK

This is Henry and Tim - they are our reigning hotdog eating champions at Scandi Kitchen.

The other day they popped by to try for 6 hotdogs each - and succeeded.

Here's the proof - and yes, we did check up on them.  Let us know when you are ready to try for 7, guys...

Finland's winning Eurovision entry

One month or so to go... Anyone fancy helping arrange a Eurovision party?  Let us know.

Until then, "enjoy" Finland's entry.  It's almost as bad as the Danish one.  Excellent. 

Who dunnit?

Easter time in Norway is the time of year for reading crime novels.  Yes, really.  Nobody is really sure why this is the case, but every year at Easter, the book stores are filled with all the latest "who dunnits" and people flock to the store to get hold of the newest books.  Our Norwegian freinds then pack their rucksacks with books, kvikklunsj and a few oranges and head to the hills for a long, relaxing Easter weekend.

Even the sides of milk cartons has little "crime novels" printed on them - thanks to Elisabeth for sending this us us.  The policeman did it, byt the way,

Hello again, Mamma

We were famous last week: a whole three times.  Wowsa, it felt good and it almost went to our head and we've spent days blowing our own trumpets.

You can read the articles here:

Stina Backer writes for The Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/nordic-delights-the-scandinavian-diet-is-among-the-healthiest-and-most-delicious-in-the-world-1654155.html

Luke Leitch writes for The Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5982948.ece

We were in London Lite too - the link to that is coming later.