Pea soup and pancakes

Did you know that it is tradition to have pea soup and pancakes on Thursdays in Sweden and Finland? Neither did I!

To be honest I am not a fan of peas. Actually that would be an understatement. I hate peas. I haven't eaten a pea since I was five or six and can barely remember what they taste like but I know I hate them and I have hated them for so long that I am too stubborn to try again. They are green and pop in your mouth. Gross! I love pretty much all foods but peas so you can imagine that I was less than excited when I found our about this Thursday tradition.

Pancakes peaked my interest. Mmmmmm. What's not to love about pancakes and in Sweden they are served with cream and Lingonberry jam. Yum!

So torn....pancakes and peas! Who does that!

Anyways, I soon found out that the pea soup wasn't those dreadful little green bastards but is actually a yellow pea soup sometimes served with bits of pork and with a dash of mustard on the side. I've never had yellow peas before and thought I should try this new un-ventured veggie territory

And it was delicious!!! YUM!

Turns out not only is it delicious but it also has a history. Eating pea soup and pancakes on Thursdays dates back roughly 500 years when Sweden was home to Catholics who fasted on Fridays and needed a big fatty and whole-hearty meal to last them till Saturday!

Good choice!

Eat at a Nation!

I went for an amazing brunch at Kalmar Nation today for just 50SEK I had enough food to last me for the day including everything from eggs and bacon to waffles, soup, and even dessert! It was an amazing spread and the fact that it was super-duper cheap was a sublime cherry on top!

The awesome brunch today! What you can't see is the yummy waffle!

Semlan...nom nom nom

One of the greatest things about living is Europe is the seasonality of food! There are tons of foods and drinks which are only available certain times of the year. I guess this is the case everywhere but because of our great whether in SA I feel like we get everything (or at least most things) all year round.

One of late winter's seasonal pleasures is semlan! It is a treat which is unlikely to leave you wanting more because it is soooooooooooooooo sweet! But is also delicious!

Baking with Buddies

There are few pleasures quite as sweet as baking your own awesome creation and then getting a chance to guzzle it down with friends!

Not too long ago we headed to a friend's house, Ulrika, to bake Lussebullar. Lussebullar?

Bulle (buns) are huge in Sweden. the most famous variety is kanelbulle (Cinnamon buns) but around this time of year you see yellow buns with raisins in them popping up everywhere, and these yellow buns are what are known as lussebullar. From what I gather they are a 'either you love them, either you don't' kind of food and this may have to do with their saffron flavouring.

So we arrive at Ulrika's house and first things first we heat up the Glögg which is kind of like German Gluwein but sweeter (a mulled wine I guess). You can buy it with or without alcohol and with a wide range of flavours, some with coffee and chocolate aromas or some with hints of rum or whisky but people seem to prefer the classic Glögg which is slightly spiced and simply delicious to drink, especially when the weather is cold outside!

I was expecting to be handed a large mug of this amazing smelling stuff but instead I was given a mini mug, slightly largely than a shot glass. Huh? I know right! But it is a good way to pace yourself and it feels quite quaint. Then, everyone started dropping raisins and nuts into their tiny glasses (along with the Glögg) and started sipping from their little glasses. Yummmmy  (Or "Mums" as they say in Swedish).

Anyway, back to the baking!

We went about baking the lussebullar which involved a fair amount of mixing and kneaded and before long we were twisting the dough into cool little twisted creations with raisins getting them ready for the oven...we then started getting creative making everything from snails, to penisis, and faces. I blame the Glögg.

This is clearly serious business

But man-oh-man whatever shape they were when they came out of the oven they smelt epic! Mums!!! I happily sat eating these baked creations and knew that I was definitely one of the "love them" people...

Click here for the recipe and let me know if you are a love them or hate them person!