Food for Christmas
When it comes to food, IKEA is no longer as much of an alternative for many of the must-haves for a Swedish holiday. Not that there’s anything wrong with what’s on IKEA shelves, but it’s all now streamlined for mass production and often IKEA’s own brand. Once upon a time IKEA shelves and freezers had a variety of items from several independent suppliers, such as Geier’s Christmas hams or prinskorv in the south—and nothing ever came closer to the Swedish equivalent. Prior to locating Geier’s just outside Tampa, Fla, we found out that ham from Karl’s Sausage Kitchen, just north of Boston, is just as good. The limpa from New Jersey based Breadsmith (Nordstjernan Market /pxx) has a special place with us, and no visit to Manhattan’s Lower East Side is complete without picking up a few cardamom buns at Fabrique Bakery (fabriquebakery. com) though there are bakeries all over the U.S. with a distinct Scandinavian flair. Berolina Bakery (berolinabakery.com) is on the west coast. The Cardamon Man. Bronx, NY claims their “decadent Nordic Night cookies are inspired by a trip made to Sweden and Norway to explore and discover how other parts of the world incorporate Cardamom into their desserts. The results were sublime. Each Nordic Night cookie takes Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder and Dark Chocolate Chips to give it a subtly bold flavor. We then mix in a
generous portion of Cardamom and prior to baking in the oven, we sprinkle the top of each cookie with Sea Salt cultivated from the Arctic right underneath the majestically beautiful Northern Lights! A truly indulgent delight for those who wish to venture up north. So relax, break out the mulled wine, and immerse yourself in our Nordic Night.” If you dare take their word for it mail ordered Nordic Cardamon breads, tarts, scones and other delights are available at www.thecardamonman.com. In New England, Hulda’s Swedish Baked Goods is a small batch bakery in Brookline, NH (swedishbakers.com). The owners and bakers are father and daughter David Schur and Jenny Lewis, whose business started in 2018 when they made the decision to bring their well-loved and time-tested family recipes to local farmers markets. After much success in markets and curbside pick-up events, David and Jenny have started offering a selection of products such as Swedish rye bread (limpa) and cardamom coffee bread to be purchased online and shipped to those in New England, New York and the NYC (metro area). So, just in case you’re far from the New Hampshire Milford Farmers Market, see swedishbakers.com Danish Pastry House in Watertown, MA, is much more than “just a bakery.” It is an authentic old world patisserie that offers a full range of breakfast
pastries, specialty desserts and everyday treats. It doesn’t get better than the simple pleasure of handmade bread and baked goods fresh from the oven. DPH believes it’s something you deserve to enjoy every single day. That’s why they make artisan breads, cakes and pastries by hand, using only the finest ingredients. Danish pastries include Napoleon Hats, Kransekage Cookie and Mayor Snail, and they make a Swedish Princess Cake - beautifully decorated with perfect layers of cream, cake, marzipan and jam. DPH is available for walk-ins on Fridays and Saturdays. Contact dphorders@gmail.com
Music
For live music in New York, many Tri-state area residents are familiar with Ellen Lindstrom of the Swedish Meatballs, Jeanne Eriksson Andersen and Smörgåsbandet, or Don Sandy whose accordion music is a part of every Jamestown Scandinavian Folk Festival in upstate New York - finally celebrated again this last summer. Some other musicians in the area: Renee Vaughan, Minneapolis, MN, plays traditional Scandinavian music on the nyckelharpa, an instrument that has been around in one form or Continues on next page DECEMBER 15, 2022
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