Many countries do strange things on New Years to make sure their following year is a good and prosperous one. Here are some from Sweden: - A wife has to give her husband something beautiful she has made herself. No stockings, because that meant an unhappy marriage. A man had to give his wife something he made as well. - What ever happened the first day of the year was ... continue reading...
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Stollen Wreath ”Christstollen”
It is that time of the month again, here is the next Daring Bakers challenge. The 2010 December Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Penny of Sweet Sadie’s Baking. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make Stollen. She adapted a friend’s family recipe and combined it with information from friends, techniques from Peter Reinhart’s book and Martha Stewart’s ... continue reading...
Soft Gingerbread “Mjuk Pepparkaka” and Swedish Christmas Eve “Julafton”
So at last it had come around, the most longed-for day of the year, Christmas Eve! Every Swede has a Christmas Tradition of some sort, they either start with a light or heavy breakfast depending on when the “julbord” Christmas smörgåsbord is served. There are 3 main things happening on Christmas Eve 1. Julboard 2. Donald Duck 3. Open Presents. Some folks have their julbord ... continue reading...
Rice Porridge “Risgrynsgröt” and Swedish Santa “Jultomten”
Swedish Santa is a cross between St. Nicholas and the Swedish “farm-tomte,” a gnome, a imagined miniature spirit who used to help out on the farms in the old days. St. Nicholas was a Turk. At least, that is where a modem map places his native Patara, where he first saw the light of day in 270. Patara at that time was a Greek trading town. Today only ruins remain. After ... continue reading...
Swedish Christmas Glögg (Sweet Christmas Wine)
Around the first Sunday of Advent, the glögg parties move into high gear in Sweden. Everyone loves the idea of warming themselves with a glass of hot glögg. It is my favorite warm drink after tea that is. What is glögg? Glögg can we compared to the German Gluhwein. But what makes glögg is its spices, cinnamon, cardamom and sugar, some also add gloves and orange peel. ... continue reading...