The Ritual Master It’s December 15, so if you haven’t decided on a Christmas menu, this is your reminder call. And I’m here to give you some inspiration from books, of course, in line with our Scandinavian Advent Calendar. Cookbooks are fascinating for me, they open doors to cultures in ways that intellectual activities cannot. And even if the online offer is abundant, the beauty of a cookbook remains unique. Here are some suggestions for days when you fancy some northern delights.
The Scandi Kitchen, simple, delicious dishes for any occasion by Brontë Aurell is a classic. She’s one of the most prolific cookbook writers in the Scandinavian world, so the choice between her books is difficult. This general introduction to Scandinavian food presents 75 dishes, from morning buns to salads, healthy dinners and delicious desserts. You cannot go wrong with this, and as a bonus, you have beautiful chapter introductions that bring to you the essence of the Scandinavian lifestyle.
Then you have The Scandi Kitchen Christmas edition, by Brontë Aurell as well, with more festive suggestions for fancy meals but also articles on Christmas traditions in the north. This is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Scandinavia, with people spending time indoors and testing new recipes or reverting to the true and tried. This is a treasure for any Christmas enthusiast.
Gero Hottinger is a German chef who has lived in Finland for more than 30 years. Needless to say he is passionate about his new found home and has a special way of giving back to the Finnish culture by sublimating its cuisine. Simply Delicious ! Pure Finnish Flavours is an elegant cookbook that shows the more refined and curated part of Scandinavian cuisine. It all comes from the love of the produce, and this is a cookbook to inspire memorable feasts.
And finally, Karoline Jönsson’s Happy Vegan Christmas is the plant-based inspiration for a Scandinavian holiday feast. Soups and meatballs, winter salads of colorful cabbage and hearty nuts, fragrant desserts with cinnamon and almonds, the options are endless. And this is a book to inspire even the non vegetarians to try a new approach to festive meals. Everything looks and reads delicious, so I’ll definitely try out some veggie dishes this Christmas.
I hope you’ve found some inspiration for cookbooks to get for yourself or as gifts, they are all found online, either new or previously loved, and they offer a perfect perspective on Scandinavian cuisine. Do come back and share with us any recipes you might try.
Until tomorrow, bon appétit !
