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Scandinavian Christmas by Trine Hahnemann

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It’s not often that I ask for anything having always been a modest type of girl but this modesty went out of the window when I asked to review Scandinavian Christmas by Trine Hahnemann published by Quadrille Publishing. Having a Danish mother every Christmas at home was always Scandinavian so I felt this book was perfect for me to review as the subject matter is close to my heart. From the first day in Advent I remember my mum busy baking in the kitchen, making table decorations from bits of oasis, candles, pine cones, holly, oranges etc as well as making wonderful paper star and heart decorations for the tree which was always real and full of candles! Dancing around the tree singing Danish “jul” songs with family and friends was also a highlight!

Before blogging I had not heard of Trine Hahnemann but in my eagerness to follow all Scandinavian food writers (of which there are not many who write in English) I found her. Trine is a chef and food writer and writes for many magazines in Denmark where she is very well known. Trine has recently moved to London from Copenhagen so I expect we will be seeing a lot more of her and her fabulous cuisine.

So on to the review. The book is aesthetically pleasing due to its padded cover and spot varnished photos so you are immediately drawn in. Once inside Trine introduces the book by sharing her love of winter and snow (me too Trine) and all things Christmassy!  Then there are sections on Christmas Baking, Gifts from the Kitchen, Advent, Festive Brunch, Christmas Party, The Christmas Eve Feast and finally Christmas Day Smörgåsbord. Flicking through the book I was pleased to see that all the Christmas standards I’d grown up with were there ie Christmas porridge, Brown cookies, Vanilla cookies, Ring Cake, Apple ӕbleskiver, Red cabbage, Caramel potatoes, Meatballs (frikadeller), Liver pate with mushrooms and bacon, Slow-cooked goose with apples and prunes and for pudding always Rice pudding with hot cherry sauce! I can’t tell you how much I didn’t like this as a child but would eat my way through it to try to find the hidden almond to win a marzipan pig! I love this cold and creamy rice pudding now as does my husband and can’t wait to make Trine’s sauce as she uses fresh cherries and we’ve always used tinned!

I have so far baked Hallon cookies (for recipe click here), Redcurrant-almond cupcakes (but with blueberries) and Red Cabbage. As Christmas draws nearer I am looking forward to trying out many more recipes including Ruis bread, Christmas Danish pastries, Fried plaice with rémoulade and Pepper cookies (pepparkakor) which my Swedish school friend’s mother always used to bake!

Redcurrant-almond cupcakes (but with Blueberries!)

Light and fruity inside.

Red cabbage perfect with hot food.

Equally good on pate with rye bread cold!

Hallon Cookies.

Perfect with a cup of Christmas tea!

So all in all this book is a must if you are wanting to experience a slice of Scandinavia at Christmas. There are all the traditional recipes plus many of Trine’s more modern ones such as Salted cod and kale pesto on celeriac bruschetta. There are beautiful photographs throughout, not only of the food but also of wonderful Scandinavian landscapes and heart warming interior shots. This book is not for the novice cook though, as a certain amount of cooking knowledge and skill is required and it is not for anyone on a tight budget, but then who budgets at Christmas? These are not quick recipes but more ones to be savoured and enjoyed over the festive period with your children if you have them, who will love helping out as did my daughter! Christmas is, after all, a time for sharing and what better way of doing it sheltered from the cold in a kitchen full of love and baking!

To win one of 2 copies of Scandinavian Christmas by Trine Hahnemann enter the rafflecopter below.

How to enter:
Complete the Rafflecopter form below to confirm your entries made via blog comments, Twitter, etc.
This giveaway will close on 4/12/2012.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Gary Martindale

    I’d love to win the book so I can recreate some recipes I sampled whilst on holiday in scandinavia earlier in the year and so my family and friends can try them as well.

    Reply

  7. Maria Jane Knight

    I would love to win this book to give my family a taste of a different culture this christmas instead of sticking to the traditional english cuisine and ideas.

    Reply

  8. Katarina Lloyd

    I am in love – would be amazing to try the cookies for a dessert at my wedding – would be the envy of my Scandanavian amigos!

    Reply

  9. Carol D

    It looks like the type of cookery book i would turn to time after time, i love the bright pages & illustrations, I can see already there are a couple i would like to try out.

    Reply

  10. Claire Trevor

    I’d love to win this bok as I’d love to try out some of the recipes over the Christmas holidays:)

    Reply

  14. Angela - Garden Tea Cakes and Me

    I love the sound of your family traditions, we all have them and they all differ in good ways. After visiting Finland 2 years ago I’d love to learn more about Scandinavian Christmas and its food and treats.

    Angela

    Reply

  16. melanie stirling

    I’d like to win because my mum and I both enjoy looking at new recipe books and getting new ideas 🙂

    Reply

  17. Aimee R

    Thanks for the review, it sounds great! I’d love to win a copy because it combines two of my favourite things; Christmas and Scandinavian culture 🙂

    Reply

  22. Gill

    I’m hosting Christmas for the first year for my parents. They’ve made it possible for us to buy a house this year, so I want to make it special to say a big thankyou

    Reply

  23. Annie T

    I love the Scandinavian idea of ‘Hygge’ and this book looks like it contains plenty of warmth and cosiness, good food and great crafts.

    Reply

  26. laura cope

    I am half swedish but I have never been there at Christmas time.I think its time I got back to my scandinavian roots and made this Christmas a God Jul!

    Reply

  27. Caroline H

    I’d love to win this because I love Norway and would visit more often if it wasn’t so expensive but mainly because I’m always looking for impressive new recipes at Christmas because everyone gets a little bored of the endless mince pies!

    Reply

  31. Karen Whittaker

    I love trying all different sorts of cooking and have just got into Scandinavian crafts so this would go well.

    Reply

  32. Hel Jones

    I’ve visited Scandinavia, I’ve loved their Christmas traditions, and would love to learn more to do at home.

    Reply

  34. Louise

    Having tasted the meatballs and gravy in Ikea this has given me an interest in Scandinavian food so would love to try out the recipes in this book

    Reply

  37. Lorna F

    The recipes in this book seem delicious and I do enjoy baking especially. Thank you for offering such a lovely prize 🙂

    Reply

  42. Rachel

    I’d like to win as I love getting inspiration for new things to try from interesting cookery books

    Reply

  50. Jill

    I would love this book as Scandinavian cooking exudes warmth, lovely spicing of cardamom and cinnamon and jewel like berries of cloudberry and lingonberry .

    Reply

  53. Louise R

    I have been very much enjoying Scandinavian crime fiction. Short of going there for Christmas this book would be the next best thing.

    Reply

  59. Jen

    I’d love to win this book because even tnough I’ve never really tried any Scandinavian food I’ve always been interested in giving it a go.

    Reply

  60. Sam

    I would love to win this book as I’d like to recreate a Scandinavian Christmas in my home – always looks to pretty and perfect.

    Reply

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