Weekly news 13th July 2011

Our reigning hot dog eating champions (8 each in one sitting)

Scandi hello: How to make a hot dog, Pondus the Penguin and we’re four years old

Hello friend

Four is a magic number.  Did you know the number FOUR in English is the only word that has the same number of letters as the number?  Other ways to talk about 4 includes quartet, tetra and quad.  There are four seasons, four wings on a bee and our Camilla only has four toes on one foot.

We were four years old last Sunday.  We opened our doors back on 10th July 2007.  We think we’ve come a long way since then and we’re still loving what we do and all of you guys we do it with all the time. http://xurl.at/51d

Summertime and the living is easy...

We Scandies love our summer holidays.  In fact, many Scandinavian countries (it feels like) simply close for a full three weeks in July and everybody heads off to their cabins or head south for the sun.  We’re not closing this summer but we will be taking Sundays off during the school holidays.  So, from 24th July until 4th September inclusive, Sundays are closed.  We suggest a picnic in the park, a trip to the zoo (they have penguins) or maybe even cleaning the garage.  It could do with a tidy, you know http://xurl.at/51e

In the shop

This week we have a special on Wienerkorv (Scandinavian hotdog sausages).  Yeps, dear friends, two for one from Wednesday till Sunday.  You can grab yours both online and in store, but be quick because this is a super offer that means instant barbeque success and reasons to wear Grilldress.  To make a real Scandinavian hotdog, here’s a bit of a guide http://xurl.at/51f

To buy sausages (and other stuff) online:  http://www.scandikitchen.co.uk/shop

Penguin of the week

Our penguin this week is called Pondus and he wears a red scarf.  Bronte can’t quite remember if he really did use to go for tea at the Queen’s castle or if she dreamt it.  Still, he’s a cool fella is our Pondus: he goes to birthday parties and looks suitably bored. http://xurl.at/51g

The best of the rest

-Swedish ladies in semi final world cup football – it’s tonight and we’ll all be watching http://www.thelocal.se/34896/20110713/
-What a nice thing to say http://xurl.at/51h
-The snus loophole closes in Denmark http://xurl.at/51i

See you in the kitchen soon
Bye for now
The Kitchen People

Scandinavian Kitchen – good food with love from Scandinavia
61 Great Titchfield Street W1W 7PP

p: 0207 580 7161 e:iloveherring@scandikitchen.co.uk
www.scandikitchen.co.uk
Find us on Twitter @scanditwitchen or on Facebook: “Scandinavian Kitchen”.

Disclaimer
There is no getting around it:  we never spam.  It’s just not in us.  We don’t even eat the stuff, let alone throw it at people.  With us, you only ever get a mail a week and maybe a hug or two.  If you have decided that it’s not working for you, click on the link below and follow the instructions.  We’ll all be weeping in our coffees and humming “It must have been love, but it’s over now” but we’ll understand.  Fly bird, fly.  We still love you.   

The art of the Scandinavian Hot Dog

You may think that the hot dog is a NY phenomenon, but no, in Scandinavia, we take it one step further.  We LOVE Hot dogs. As in luuuuurve.   The Scandinavian hot dogs are widely considered to be some of the best in the whole world.  Or niverse. Or something.

In Denmark, we love the red skinned hot dog:

soft bun, Red sausage, remoulade, ketchup,mustard, crispy and raw onions, pickled cucumber

In Sweden,we love the wienerkorv, warmed and put in a soft bun.

In some parts of Sweden, they like to add mashed potato on top.  Or prawn salad.  No, we don't understand the prawn salad either but apparently, it is a amazing.

Swedish guilty secret: with mash AND Prawn salad.  Greedy.

In Norway hot dogs are sometimes wrapped in potato pancakes called Lomper.  Very nice.

In Iceland, they are really clever and put the condiments in the bun before adding the sausages (why didn't we think of that?)

This week (starting 13th July 2011)  we have a super special deal on to celebrate the summer and to generally celebrate the wonders of the Scandi hot dog:  2 packs of Wienerkorv for the price of 1.  It's a BOGOF indeed. 

Wienerkorv from Sweden is a versatile brown hot dog sausage. Heat in hot water for a few minutes and it's ready. Some of us like to grill it gently.  All of us like to eat it.  Top with ketchup, Scandinavian mustard, Bostongurka or pickled cucumbers (no substitutions will do - got to be the Scandi kind) and remoulade (it's a must if you're Danish).  Finish off with crispy onions.

Pop by and stock upon wienerkorv and condiments and make your own hotties in the back garden.  Like a native Scandi.

Shop online for all you need here

Summery Sundays: Sunday Summer Closed 24/7 - 4/9 inc

We love doing brunch on Sundays - but during the summer, lots of people leave London and the sun is too tempting on a Sunday to stay inside.  So, during the school summer holidays we will be closed on Sundays.

For those of you who can't remember when the school holidays are:  We're closed on Sundays from 24th July until 4th September inclusive.

Instead, how about popping by on a Saturday and stocking up on nice stuff to bring to the park on Sunday?  Our perfect Scandinavian picnic for a sunny Sunday in the park looks a bit like this:

- Pickled herring (for newbies, we suggest Abbas Senapssill - it's a good starter herring)

- Dark rye bread (slice it from home, it is easier)

- Leksands crisp bread

- Some lovely cheese - try the creamy Aseda/Havarti or the wonderfully nutty Jarlsberg. if you like stinky, go for Gamle Ole.

- Beetroot and Apple salad

- Some nice new potatoes, tossed in dill

- Stryhns liver pate from Denmark - topped with the Swedish smorgasgurka

- Some beautifully dill cured salmon with dill & mustard sauce (hovmastersaus)

- Vasterbotten paj - a quiche made from Vasterbotten cheese and cream filling - top with romsas (1 jar of lumpfish roe mixed caviar with 2 dl creme fraiche).

Sweet stuff for afters

- Swedish kladdkaka - sticky Swedish brownie - served with fresh strawberries and maybe a dash of vanilla creme.

Pick up most of the stuff you need from the store on Great Titchfield Street (or order online) - ask the nice people behind the counter, they can help you with any question you have.

Carrot & courgette salad, potato salad, Beetroot & apple salad

 

Penguin of the week: Pondus

Speak to any Dane born in the seventies and it is pretty certain he or she will remember this little penguin called Pondus who used to wear a red scarf and live at Copenhagen Zoo.

What most will not remember is that the series of photo books that were published were done by a photographer called Ivar Myrhøj. He made 4 books from 1966-69.  The series of Pondus books was even translated into English and we were super surprised to find that old English copies of this books now sell to collectors for quite a handsome sum of money.

What even less people in Denmark know is that Pondus the Penguin was also a mascot for a Canadian messenger firm in 2005.  He got around, did our Pondus.

Pondus was also the mascot for Danske Bank back in the day and we all had one of these money banks in the shape of Pondus.  The Scandinavian bank in the UK ("Northern Bank") has resurrected little Pondus and he is now the mascot there also. 

Pondus, you are truly worthy of being Penguin of the Week.  But mainly because you used to come along to birthday parties and eat hotdogs and stuff.

What the **** am I doing here? They don't even serve herring. 

 

 

 

 

 

Four is a magic number (happy birthday to us)

The bump made an appearance the day after opening the shop...

It takes quite a bit to make us feel all nostalgic, but really, on Sunday 10th July we definitely did.  That's because it was our 4th birthday.

For those of you who do not know the background to why Scandi Kitchen was born, well, Jonas and Bronte both gave up their day jobs (innocent drinks and Barclays, respectively) to open a cafe/deli where both locals, Scandi ex pats and foodies could meet over a nice cup of coffee and some open sandwiches. We hadn't quite expected to open on the 10th july 2007 and have a baby on 11th July less than 24 hours later, but we survived and managed it all.

We've loved every minute.  It's been tough at times trading in what has essentially been a recession in the UK from the first month of opening - but it has been worth it.  We have a fantastic team of dedicated wonderful people working with us - and the most amazingly loyal customers one could ever hope to get to know. We are super proud to be totally independent.

So, THANK YOU for all your support over these past four years both at the Cafe and at the new Scandinavian Food online store  - and here's a raised glass for the next four years ahead where we have many big plans...  more to come soon on that one.

If you want to read more about Scandi Kitchen and who we are, click here

this was the sign on the front door before we opened...
Bronte and Jonas sitting in the mess that became the shop floor

Peter (Jonas' cousin) helping out in the days before opening

Frokost.

 

Weekly news 4-10 July 2011

Sign up to receive our weekly news on our website www.scandikitchen.co.uk

Scandi hello: Pea soup fight, Norwegian Toenail lady and Bjorn hides political messages in Mamma Mia

Hejsa du,

This week we learnt that there are two people in Sweden who are named “Bulle” which means “Bun”. There are also two people named “Kanel” (cinnamon). And one poor dude named “Socker” (sugar).
Still, this does not beat the Norwegian first name of “Odd” or “Bent”, or how about the Swedish name Jerk for your first born?

Mamma mia, here we go again

We have long known that the answer to all life’s questions can be found in ABBA songs. We bow to Benny & co and we are happy they have enriched our lives with songs such as “I do, I do, I do”, “Money Money Money” and “Gimme Gimme”. We even like the lesser known “Hej Gamle Man” . Last week, Bjorn revealed their songs are not to be boxed as silly pop songs: they all have hidden political messages... Fernando? http://xurl.at/4yt

Give me my Thursday pea soup, or else...

Food is all about culture and roots. When people ask us why we started Scandi Kitchen we say it’s because we found a temporary remedy for homesickness for the Scandi ex-pats. Food is Mamma, food is home, food broadens your horizons and lets you taste a country’s culture and innermost secrets.

In Sweden, all soldiers in the Swedish Army eat pea soup and pancakes on a Thursday. It’s as Swedish as Volvo and fermented herring and nobody should mess with that. Except one big catering firm did and they lost out. http://xurl.at/4yu

In the shop

This week, David wants everyone to know that goods from Norway are coming in mid week, so if you are running out of brown cheese, it is a good week to stock up. There will also be a special offer on Norwegian Fiske pudding. New stuff includes Norwegian Sørlandschips. They are crisps, but they are Norwegian and this means they are better than Abba, Aqua and Ace of Base put together.
Don’t forget we’re still in the middle of Korv Mania (Swedish Sausage Season) so stock up on the best BBQ sausages in town (don’t forget to wear Grilldress if you are Norwegian). http://www.scandikitchen.co.uk/shop

Penguin of the week

Lance the Tourist Penguin is still lost in New Zealand. Thanks to all of you who sent in Penguin stories. This week’s Penguin of the week is one that tickles. And one that slaps. http://xurl.at/4yw

A little bit of this and a dash of that

• Highest viewing in Norwegian TV history? 134 hours direct transmission of a cruise through the fjords (yes really) – highlights here http://xurl.at/4yx Perfect if you are planning an armchair holiday from the comfort of Winchester.
• Danes think sunbathing in the buff is a bit rude http://xurl.at/4yy
• The UK Guild of Food Writers pop by http://xurl.at/4yz
• Is her name Toe-nail or not? http://xurl.at/4z0
• Please note that we will be closed on SUNDAYS from 24th July (inclusive) until beginning of September.

See you in the kitchen soon
Bye for now
The Kitchen People

Scandinavian Kitchen – good food with love from Scandinavia
61 Great Titchfield Street W1W 7PP

p: 0207 580 7161 e:iloveherring@scandikitchen.co.uk
www.scandikitchen.co.uk
Find us on Twitter @scanditwitchen or on Facebook: “Scandinavian Kitchen”.

Disclaimer
You know that bit at the end of the e-mails that says “if you are not the intended recipient of this mail, stop reading immediately”? Yeps, this is that bit. Although seeing as we only send this mail to people who have signed up themselves, chances are this e-mail IS intended for you. If not, do stop reading right now or you may get into trouble. Who knows? You can get arrested for all sorts of things these days. On the other hand, if you DID sign up and have changed your mind, just follow the instructions on how to unsubscribe at the bottom of this mail. We promise we’ll never share your stories or intimate details with anyone else and we also promise never to send you e-mails about special offers for pants with extra stretchy waistbands or ask for your bank account details so we can share them with the millionaire from Lagos who has $89 million just waiting for you. We’re simple folk, you know: one mail a week and that’s about it.
if you want to leave this Facebook group, just click "leave group". Pretty simple, huh?

Tom Selleck is hot

Tom Selleck - now with mustard herring open sandwich

Bronte loves Tom Selleck.  Nobody really understands or knows why.  She also loves Boris Johnson but this is less of an issue.

This week we found a site entirely devoted to three great things:  Tom Selleck, sandwiches and waterfalls.

Enjoy the site here

 

Guild of Food Writers

The UK Guild of Food Writers is an association whose members are professional food writers and broadcasters, journalists and columnists.  To become a member of this Guild you have to fulfil quite a number of criteria and on top of that, you really need to know your food, in great detail. 

In short, these people know their stuff.  As in, really know their stuff.

We were honoured when we were invited to host a workshop at Scandi Kitchen.  We decided to talk about the food we really eat in Scandinavia:  about the importance of husmanskost and smorgasbord/smoerrebrod - and to put on a selection of some of the stuff we Scandies feel represents our regions well.

We served Kalix Lojrom (Vendace roe), we served moose and reindeer salami...  We sampled different cheeses, enjoyed home made mustard herrings and made sure everyone had a good taste of aquavit snaps.

It was amazing to have so many foodies gathered in our little shop.  In fact, we were so overwhelmed and excited we forgot to take pictures. We all looked dashing and handsome, so just remember that bit.

Thanks to the amazing Jenny Linford for putting  our name forward and to all the members of the Guild for being there.

 

 

Penguin of the week: Tickle me Elmo

We never quite realised just how obsessed you guys are about penguins.  We have been inundated with your favourite penguin stories and clips and feel we must therefore keep the Penguin of the Week open a bit longer.

Last week, Lance the Penguin featured.  Poor Lance is stuck in New Zealand.  This week he’s still stuck in New Zealand (surprisingly few ferries to Antarctica this time of year).

This week, we’re mostly liking the old slap-clip

But penguins do sound funny when tickled:

Norway to deport toe-nail citizen?

Thanks to Schlagerfiasko for this clip.

Surely, she says Toe Nail?  Tonje?  Toe Nail?

We are presuming this is a spoof; if not, we'll be happy to help Norway deport this criminal and strip her of any rights to the oil. 

 

 

Go on, have an affair (update)

Last year we wrote about this company in Sweden that ran a campaign at bus stops in Stockholm with the poster reading:

"Are you married?  Make life exciting: have an affair".

We thought we'd just tell you that the results of the Swedish jury have come in and the complaints sent to the Swedish version of the advertising standards agency was not upheld.  Nul points.

So, now you can once again walk around Stockholm and be encouraged to get a bit on the side by joining this Norwegian dating agency.

ABBA: What about [Ken] Livingstone?

SK's new uniform?  From l to r:  Sebastian, Anna, moa and Claes.  Maybe.

Last week, Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA (not Benny, the other one, you know, the one with no beard and extra tight trousers) revealed that ABBA’s songs had hidden political messages in the lyrics.

“It was our curse that we were regarded as simple and happy” he said and went on to explain that for example the song “The Visitors” was about the Soviet Union and about freedom.

“These walls have witnessed all the anguish of humiliation
And seen the hope of freedom glow in shining faces
And now they've come to take me
Come to break me
And yet it isn't unexpected
I have been waiting for these visitors” (repeat over 19 times)

We’re very surprised.  We never knew the deeper meanings of ABBA and now we shall proceed to analyse all the songs as we listen to them again (and again) during our working day at the cafe.

Upon reading this article we also did a bit of googling about interpreting ABBA lyrics.  It’s worth doing, even for the excitement of realising what Dancing Queen is really all about. 

Still, a few dubious ones popped up....  Maybe political?

What about Livingstone

What about Livingstone?

What about all those men?

Who have sacrificed their lives to lead the way

Tell me, wasn't it worth the while

Travelling up the Nile

Putting themselves on test

Didn't that help the rest?

Wasn't it worth it then?

What about Livingstone?

Money Money

I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay
Ain't it sad
And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me
That's too bad
In my dreams I have a plan
If I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work at all, I'd fool around and have a ball

Dum Dum diddle

Dum-dum-diddle, to be your fiddle
To be so near you and not just hear you
Dum-dum-diddle, to be your fiddle
I think then maybe you'd see me, baby
You'd be mine
And we'd be together all the time
Wish I was, dum-dum-diddle, your darling fiddle
But I think you don't know that I exist
I'm the quiet kind, woah-oh

 (read the article in Danish here - if you read Danish, that is... if not, you may enjoy the pictures only sorry.)