Scandinavian Kitchen

Crown Dill - kron dill

Last year, we were inundated with requests for Crown Dill for crayfish parties.  Now, you see, crown dill is not usually grown in the UK and it is extremely hard to get hold of over here (read: impossible), unless your mum happens to be flying in from Sweden or Finland on the day you happen to need it.

Never the less, last year we promised to sort something out for this year - and we have kept our promise.  So, if you need crown dill, you can order it from us now.

Crown dill is much more aromatic and pungent than normal dill - and is used for many things, but especially in crayfish preperation for the season.  It is also used as decoration.

We're selling it as of today - only £1.50 for a nice, big bunch.  Pop by and stock up.

Smelly Basshunter?

Basshunter - the man behind this massive hit in both Sweden and UK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYQUsp-jxDQ - was at Scandi Kitchen a while back for an interview.  He forgot his LYNX deodorant.  Seb has been using it, believing it may habour magic powers - a bit like the LYNK adverts.  Perhaps it will even give him magic musical powers and he'll be a rock star one day, who knows...

Seb before using Basshunter's LYNX - and two sides of cured salmon

Seb AFTER using Basshunter's LYNX - both Moa and Michaela approves..

Here's the original ad - but we prefer Seb's version

Nothing Fishy About ..
Watch the ad...

Nothing ever happens in Rydsgård...Or Hong..

Ever wondered why some of us left?  These are some of the highlights from our local areas newspapers this week:

Henrik’s Rydsgård: Thieves broke into a ticket machine at the train station for the second time in a row – and didn't even steal the cash, that’s how bored they are there: http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/article/20090826/SKURUP/19073669/1365/&/Nytt-inbrott-i-biljettautomat

Bronte’s Hong – local person vigorously denies sowing hemp plants and blames the local birds for sprading the seeds to the 40 plants found in his garden. http://www.sn.dk/artikel/13471:Kalundborg----Fuglene-maa-have-saaet-hampplanterne

World record attempt in pumpkin growing was aborted at last minute in Ystad http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/article/20090826/SKURUP/931850365/1365/&/Nytt-rekord-trots-misslyckande

Got any better ones?  Please do send us some links.

Honestly, Officer, the birds did it...

 

Upcoming Wine Tastings at SK with Ray O'Connor

Ray is our wonderful wine expert - and he really does know his stuff.  Vote the Young Wine Writer of the year last year, he has worked as a head sommelier for Gordon Ramsey as well as for Decanter Magazine and The International Wine Challenge. 

For the past year, Ray has been doing monthly wine events here at SK - for all levels and abilities - and we've really enjoyed his courses. 

The next three coming up are:

October Tues 13th

How to buy wine - reading behind the label and an introduction to wine & food matching £20.00

November Tues 10th

Wines from Spain - exploring Spain's regions and varietals, including a special review of Sherry £20.00

December Tues 8th

Christmas wines & Fizz £24.00

 

Start times - 18:45, canapes and snacks included in price. 

 

Ray is not affiliated to an one brand or shop and his events are always unbiased and broad in selection of wines, which makes these events very different to most wine tastings around (where someone is always trying to flog you a case or two - we do not.  Ever).    We also believe that by keeping the price and the attendees small, we all get to enjoy a wonderful evening and learn new stuff and get to meet new people.

 

We always operate on a first-come, first served basis for spaces (always limited to 15 people per session), so pop your name down now for the ones you want to attend: liz@rayoconnorwine.com

 

We're also planning an accredited 8-session course for wine beginners - dates and times still to be confirmed, but if you are interested, let us know and we'll keep you updated.  This course will be slightly different in that you will be awarded an official certificate at the end from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

URGENT: Naked Scandi man wanted for TV production for WED 26/8

We've been asked to help a nice little TV production company find a "typical Scandinavian looking man" by tonight at 6 pm for a day of filming in Camden tomorrow.  You can earn £200 for doing this - the only snag is that you have to be a bit naked - although you can wear pants and your bits will be covered by a sign.

Here's the advert and contact details.  You need to call the lady Fiona before 6 pm tonight and send her a photo.

And don't worry, it will not be shown on TV so you'll not need to worry about your mum seeing it.

'Hello - sorry to ask but we're a small tv production company who has been asked to put forward a pitch presentation and they want to feature a man standing in front of a weather image with no clothes on - don't worry you can wear pants or a gstring! And then to deliver a couple of lines of dialogue to the camera. It will never been seen on tv but its to convey a concept that my friends are working on. 

The person needs to be stereotypical scandinavian if possible or certainly to have a scandinavian accent! 

There is a fee of £200 and we'd be filming in Camden tomorrow afternoon about 5pm -my contact details are Fi Lambie, Lambie Productions Ltd, 3rd Floor, 4 Golden Square, London W1F 9HT 

Tel: 0207 734 0035 or mobile 07967 631699 - age probably 30 if possible. Many thanks'

 

Do you speak Danish and want to work for LEGO?

We don't usually do job adverts - but we quite like the people at LEGO, they are cool.  And they are looking for some Danish speaking people at the moment - and they asked us if maybe any of our lovely customers knows someone who might be perfect for this job?

The role is in their Customer Service team - and applicants must be fluent in both Danish and English, spoken and written.

Crayfish party / kräftskiva supplies - only £9.95 per box of crayfish

We stock the exellent Chineese JUMBO crayfish this year - they did really well in the annual "Best in Test" in Sweden.  In fact, the exact ones we've got in this year did THE BEST out of all:  it got 5 out of 5 stars.  So there.

Price is only £9.95 a kilo (that's per box) - and there's around 18-22 crayfish in a box. 

We also stock the hats and bibs - a 4pack is just £1.50.

Don't forget we also stock lots of different kinds of aquavit - from OP Andersson to Skaane to Hallands to the excellent Danish Red Aalborg - and many more.

We have stock now in store - but it is always best to reserve to guarentee availability, just in case.  Just mail iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.uk and we'll sort you out with all that you need for your annual crayfish party.

Love, The Kitchen People

x

WIN tickets for "Insane in the brain" and "Cirkus Cirkor"

Yahoo - we love competitions.  We have two pairs of tickets to give away for some Swedish events taking place in London in September and October.

"Insane in the Brain" is at the Peacock Thatre from 15th September till 3rd October

Performances: Tue - Sat at 8pm, Sat matinee at 2.30pm, Sun at 4pm - Tickets: £10 - £36

Ticket office: 0844 412 4322   www.sadlerswells.com   

A street-dance version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey

 

Bounce’s explosive Insane in the Brain, a hip hop version of Ken Kesey’s classic novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, was a smash hit at its UK debut in 2008 and returns to the Peacock Theatre for a second year from Tuesday 15 September until Saturday 3 October 2009.

In the confines of a psychiatric hospital, breakdance becomes a way of expressing freedom and rebelling against the iron rule of Nurse Ratched, who prefers to give her patients a daily dose of ballet.

Bounce was formed in 1997 by a group of Sweden’s leading street dancers keen to explore the different dance styles of breaking, locking, popping, boogaloo and new school. Not afraid to use any style of dance to create fresh and exciting work, Bounce also utilises lindy hop and tap, which have influenced the street dance of today.

Watch a clip at: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Bounce-08

Cirkus Cirkor (Inside Out)

Wednesday 14 - Saturday 31 October - Tickets: £10 - £36

Performances: Tues – Sat at 7.30pm, Sat Mat at 2.30pm, Sun at 4pm

Ticket office: 0844 412 4322    www.sadlerswells.com

A huge hit in its native Sweden, and around the world on tour, Cirkus Cirkör comes to London for the very first time with its spellbinding show Inside Out.

Following the adventures of two characters who meet a circus company of bizarre and magical oddballs, Inside Out features a cast of eight multi-skilled performers who balance on knife edges and challenge gravity in a spectacular blend of acrobatics and storytelling, laced with style and humour.

We have a pair of tickets for the 15th September for Bounce and a pair of tickets for Cirkus Cirkor for the performance on 14th October

To enter the competition, answer this question:

"Insane in the brain" is based on which famous novel?

1) One flew over the hen house

2) One flew over the cuckoo's nest

3) A pig flew.  The end.

Please mail your answer to iloveherring@scandikitchen.co.uk - and let us know what show you prefer (if no show is specified, you'll be entered for both).  Please have your entry in by Sunday 23rd August by 5 pm.

Rules and regulations:  only one entry per person, no cash alternative or alternative dates available.  All responsibility with this competition lies with the organisers and not Scandi Kitchen.  All correct entries will be entered into a draw - most likely a lot of names printed on paper and then popped into a big hat/sock/box or whatever we can find on the day.  The judges decision is final, because judges rule.   

Job going at SCAN magazine

Our friends at www.scanmagazine.co.uk asked us to let you guys know about a job they have going for a Swedish speaksr.

Sales person required (native Swedish speaker) for Scan Magazine, London

Scan Magazine is based on Clapham high street, London. They promote Scandinavian design, travel and business. 

They need an enthusiastic team player who is highly self motivated to help sell advertorials and advertisements, primarily in Sweden. You need to be outgoing and have good relationship management skills. 

We don't believe in micro management, but we do believe that you will always do your very best. 

Job Start: 1st of September 

Please email thomas@scanmagazine.co.uk or call 079 200 138 68 to hear more about the position.

A Swedish plague?

This track was a huge hit across Scandinavia this summer.  Some of us wish we'd never heard it and had spent a week in Majorca listening to Latino Beats # 4 and Ricky Martin's Un, Dos, Tres instead.

We had Basshunter in Scandi Kitchen last week - they were filming an interview with him. Basshunter is also Swedish and did stuff such as this track, also a huge hit across Scandi land a few years back (Sebastian has the extended version on vinyl if you want to hear it).   It was eventually made into a UK hit also - called "Now you're gone".

Come back, Roxette, all is forgiven.

Poor Norwegian Ram

This is the most unsettling animal picture we saw this week.  Thanks for sending it in to us (from The Guardian).

Queen's Park Day 2009

We love a bit of a day out.   Our good friends at KIDSEN   - the Scandinavian children's store in Kensal Rise - have a stall at the excellent Queen's Park Day on 13th September - and we've promised to supply the sweetie bits and cakes for them.

Do pop along for the day if you happen to live or be in the area - it is a great event.   Look out for the stall from Kidsen for some really good bargains and good Scandi all round chit-chat.  And maybe a kanelbulle or two.  Yummy.

More about QP day here http://www.queensparkday.org.uk/

A new Swedish engagement

Princess Madelaine of Sweden has got engaged to her beau - his name is Jonas.

Congratulations to the happy couple - now we have two Royal Weddings in Sweden to look forward to (her big sis, Victoria, got engaged a little while back).  Time for a new hat, we think.

 

Here, Jonas, pull my right arm and I'll make farty noises...

"Swedes are stupid" claims Norwegian professor.

We love a bit of Scandi banter - and nothing gets the Scandies up in arms as much as "who is the stupidest of all Scandinavian nations?".  A few weeks back, a Norwegian professor commented that "Swedes are studpid" due to their inabilities to understand the spoken Norwegian word well. 

You can read the article in English here http://www.thelocal.se/21208/20090810/

The Swedish paper, Expressen, hit back.  And then came the comments from left, right and centre - most of them commenting that seeing as nobody understands the Danes, surely that must mean something?

We love it.   Feel free to pop your own view in here.  We take no responsibility for your opinions and we'd just like to say that we love everyone.  Any comments with naughty words will be removed immediately.

Swedish Crayfish party / Svensk kräftskiva / Finnish Rapujuhlat in London 2009

Crayfish / Kräftor will be available from 18th August onwards in our shop.  Book yours now to guarentee availability.

Ahhh, those lovely little things, kraftor (Crayfish).  We're taking orders now for boxes of crayfish for August/September Crayfish party season - due to high demand, we need to ensure orders come in early or else we cannot guarentee availability.

If you know you'll be wanting some, mail iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.uk and let us know how many boxes you want as well as your phone number so we can get hold of you.

We'll then contact you nearer the time to take payment over the phone (due to cost, we require advance payment) and to make sure we get the right amount of boxes in for you.  And hats.  And bibs.  And aquavit.

Boxes are £9.95 - there's about 16-18 crayfish in a box, which serves 1 1/2 - 2 people.

 

 

Kalle was such a happy crayfish.  And then he met a bunch of hungry Scandies.  Destiny is a cruel thing.

Crayfish / Kräftor will be available from 18th August onwards in our shop.  Book yours now to guarentee availability.

Ahhh, those lovely little things, kraftor (Crayfish).  We're taking orders now for boxes of crayfish for August/September Crayfish party season - due to high demand, we need to ensure orders come in early or else we cannot guarentee availability.

If you know you'll be wanting some, mail iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.uk and let us know how many boxes you want as well as your phone number so we can get hold of you.

We'll then contact you nearer the time to take payment over the phone (due to cost, we require advance payment) and to make sure we get the right amount of boxes in for you.  And hats.  And bibs.  And aquavit.

Boxes are £9.95 - there's about 16-18 crayfish in a box, which serves 1 1/2 - 2 people.

 

 

Kalle was such a happy crayfish.  And then he met a bunch of hungry Scandies.  Destiny is a cruel thing.

Little shops we like #11

Lars Gregersen makes ceramics.  A trained potter from Denmark, he is now UK based and he makes some really lovely stuff - from vases to cups and mugs and everything inbetween.

We really like his stuff and wanted to share his site with everyone - you can check out his full collection here www.soendergaarddesign.co.uk

 

Ray's amazing wine tasting course

We run a monthly wine tasting session at SK.  Headed by our friend Ray O'Connor (Young wine writer of the year last year and all round amazing wine expert with a sommelier background as well as working for Decanter Magazine and International Wine Challenge), we meet and taste and learn.

All levels are welcome.  The sessions change from month to month in terms of the kinds of wines we taste.  Price per person is usually around £18 and this includes all wines and snacks.

As Ray does not work for any producer or particular body, this is not a selling course and there are no wines to buy at all.  It is pure enjoyment and learning about wines together with like minded wine appreciators.

Due to holiday season, we still have 3 spots left on the course this August 12th.  Starts at 18:45 till around 21:00.  Mail iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.k if you fancy coming along.