Traditional Scandinavian Foods

[simplykate]

I'm interested in learning more about norwegian and swedish foods because my husband is of direct descent and I thought it would be cool to incorporate some of the holiday traditions this year. I'm having trouble finding any resources though. Does anybody know of any?

[Ammaarah]

Might as well start with the ultimate traditional food, lutefisk.

[elleystar]

My grandfather came over here right from Norway, so I've grown up with a fair bit of Scandinavian food at holidays and family reunions. Two things that stand out in my mind are cookies. First, krumkake. Soooo good! I think we always flavored ours with almond but I like the sound of the cardamom as well.
And also rosettes, though you need to buy special irons and stuff for them. They keep for ages.
(This link has a picture of the finished rosettes)

I got sucked in to that Scandinavian food About site, and found these Goro crackers. I'd love to find an iron and try them, they are just beautiful! (That is the last slide in the slideshow, go back to the beginning for the recipe.)

Don't forget the Gjetost cheese! I didn't develop a real taste for it until I was an adult. It is a very weird, nutty, sweet, bizarre cheese. But so delicious! I had cravings for it while I was pregnant and ate a ton while at my parents' for Christmas. Serve it on a nice plate with rye crackers or hard crispbread. Sliced pears or apples with it would also be nice! Here's a description of it:
"Gjetost is the cheese that is traditional in a Norwegian breakfast and this sweet red-orange gourmet cheese does have a presence. Gjetost is made from the whey or buttermilk which is heated very slowly until the water has evaporated and the milk sugar forms a kind of brown caramelized paste. At this stage milk or cream may be added to change the fat content of the finished product. Produced in squares this cheese has no rind and is sold as soon as it is made. The texture may be hard or soft but it all has an unmistakable sweet, almost fudgy, caramel taste."

This is how you're likely to find it-wanted you to see how it looks in the package.

[sisteeesmama]

I love the gjetost cheese, too. It tastes caramely and is so good with fruit!

Ligonberry crepes are something my Scandinavian grandmother makes. She also makes fish in sour cream sauce with dill and these meatballs that have nutmeg in them and a sour cream sauce. She eats rye crackers and cheese with fish for breakfast every single day.

hth

[rabbitmum]

Pinnekjott is my favourite Christmassy dinner!

Another link: http://www.scanspecialties.com/food/...Lamb_Ribs.html

[Otto]

Originally Posted by elleystar

Two things that stand out in my mind are cookies. First, krumkake. Soooo good! I think we always flavored ours with almond but I like the sound of the cardamom as well.

I'll second the krumkaker. (But I just looked out of curiosity.... Nordic Ware's suggested price for their regular krumkake iron is $67?)

[havsulen]

Well, I am Norwegian - so if there are any specific recipies you want, I will do my best to help you. Such a lucky husband you've got for doing this for him!

[motherbirth]

If you google mothering.com, we had a thread about this a while back. There is a great book by Trina Hahnemann called The Scandinavian Cookbook. Totally worth the purchase.