Search Results for: Denmark

The name Denmark means “Borderlands of the Danes” and it’s known for being the happiest and least corrupt country in the world! The Kingdom of Denmark is a sovereign state, located in Northern Europe, which includes two other countries; Greenland (the largest island in the world) and the Faroe Islands. Denmark is the most southerly of the Nordic countries. She is a peninsula and part an archipelago made up of nearly 400 islands in the Baltic and North Sea, with about 70 that are inhabited. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges. The only country Denmark borders by land is Germany. Her neighbors just across the sea are Norway and Sweden, to the north.

Denmark is run as a constitutional monarchy and is the oldest kingdom in Europe, having existed for over one thousand years. Copenhagen, the capital, is a robust and romantic city which is home to Queen Margethe II (who is a figure head with no real political power) and to the Parliament, the country’s highest authority. Succession to the throne is hereditary although the law of succession had to be changed for a female to be crowned. Their queen has been the monarch for 43 years.
All Danes, at birth, are considered to be born into the Evangelical Lutheran church and are required to pay taxes to the church as part of their income tax. Although most of the population is part of the church’s membership, only a small percentage of the population are active participants. Freedom of religion is a right in Denmark and numerous other religions are practiced there.

Denmark has an extremely high tax rate, 50 percent, but in return they get free education (including higher education) and free health care. They have generous benefits for the unemployed, plus a full 52 week shared maternity and paternity leave. By the way, the language they speak in Denmark is Danish and it is considered the official language. However, they are taught English in the first grade as a second language and in the fifth grade, they are offered a third language, either French or German. Most will pick German. Higher education is a big deal, especially in Copenhagen. There are almost one hundred thousand university students residing in the capital city.

Denmark is a green energy country. There are more bikes in Denmark than cars and nearly half the population cycles to work and school, which is remarkable since they get on average, 171 days of precipitation. The county is known for its specially engineered cycle paths, which are segregated from vehicular traffic. Denmark is windy, with an average wind speed of 13 miles per hour and they make the most of it. As a pioneer in wind power, their turbines are used worldwide and wind power provides 39 percent of Denmark’s total electricity consumption.

The Danish are also known as being open minded in their views and strongly believe in equality. They were the first country in the world, in 1989, to offer gay couples most of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, in the form of “registered partnerships.” However, Denmark only recently legalized gay marriage, in 2012.

There is no minimum drinking age is Denmark. Sixteen is the age you must be to buy alcohol and you must be 18 to drink in a bar. Drinking a "pilsner" beer is a favored activity of many Danes after work or when relaxing. Danish pilsners of note are Carlsberg and Tuborg.

The Danish are known to hold privacy as an important core value. They are not ostentatious and consider it rude to look at other’s private property or discuss salaries. In general they don’t show open expressions of feelings, as that is considered to be a sign of weakness and they hate to be interrupted in the middle of a conversation. In a group, you likely will not be introduced but once you are accepted into a Dane’s inner circle you will have the pleasure to experience what they call “hygge”, considered a fundamental aspect of Danish culture. There is not a literal translation in English for the word, but it basically means a “coziness” or “comfort” when relaxing with friends and loved ones. The practice is especially prevalent when it is cold and while eating and drinking in a special ambiance with flickering candles and good conversation. The Danish home is a place to relax and be oneself. It may take some time before you are invited into a Dane’s home, but if you ever are, consider it a great honor.

Denmark is a wealthy nation and has many exports, one being food (they are the fifth largest exporter of food in the world.) Nearly 2/3 of the land is arable and of course, fish are abundant in the surrounding seas. They also export machinery, engines, pharmaceuticals and furniture. The Danish furniture design, developed in the mid-20th century, is often described as functionalistic. They are also known for ship building throughout their many ports. Even toys are a strong export item. The popular building blocks called LEGOs that have sparked children’s imaginations across the globe, were developed in Denmark. The name LEGO comes from two Danish words “leg” and “godt” meaning “play well.”

Looking into the cuisine of Denmark is quite interesting. Not too many years ago, Danish food was synonymous with potatoes and pork. (Not that there is anything wrong with potatoes and pork.) In recent years, there has been a transformation into organics and locally foraged foods. This is called the New Nordic (or Danish) cuisine, thanks to the two pioneers, Rene Redzepit and Claus Meyer. They are the founders and chefs, of what has won the distinction of being, the best restaurant in the world, called Noma. It often requires making a reservation a year in advance to dine there. Although this New Nordic philosophy has changed their cuisine for the good, the Danish just voted on what should be considered the national dish; (what else) pork and potatoes.

Most Danes have three regular meals a day, a cold breakfast usually served with coffee or tea, a cold lunch at work and a hot dinner at home with the family. Breakfast normally consists of bread, cereal and jams. For lunch they have a specialty, called smorrebrod, (which came in second in their national dish contest.) It is an open faced sandwich, served on a dark, sourdough rye bread then topped with almost anything: fish, shrimp, beets, liverwurst, roast beef and pork. They are made beautifully with sauces to complement the toppings and eaten with a knife and fork. Dinner is the time for the family to gather and connect with each other. It is typically served at 6:00 pm. Dinner is considered a hot meal, with pork being the most popular meat served, along with a vegetable and dessert. Confusingly, the evening meal is sometimes called “middag” (midday) because hot meals were traditionally served in the middle of the day. Nowadays, with both parents working and children in school that tradition has changed.

The Danes also love coffee and are huge consumers, coming in fourth in the world. Aside from coffee they love sausages and hot sausage wagons are found all over the country. For a sweet treat they have an obsession with licorice, this “sweet root” perennial herb, which is member of the pea family, is made into a salty, black candy and much loved throughout Denmark.

So let’s eat Danish style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Gravlax (Cured Salmon)

and Rugbrod (Rye Bread)

Stjerneskud (Shooting Star Smorrebrod)

Main
Stegt Flaesk (Pork Belly with potatoes in parsley sauce)

Served with
Sukkerroer salat (Beetroot Salad)

Dessert
Aeblesksiver (Danish Pancakes)

We set the table with the colors of the flag; red and white. In Denmark their flag has a name Danneberg. It is the oldest flag in the world and was adopted in 1219. As legend has it, the flag fell from the sky during a battle and was seen as a gift from God. We decorated the table with Legos, some farm animals, as well as potatoes and other Danish delights. We lit candles so we could create the essence of “hygee.” We began the meal with a toast of Akvavit. This is the Danish version of Schnapps, made from potatoes. We raised our glasses with “Skal”, pronounced “skole”, which means cheers in Danish. Then I said “Vaersgo og spise”, which means, come on and eat.

The appetizer of smorrebrod, called stjerneskud, was outstanding. The rugbrod (Danish rye bread) and gravlax (cured salmon lox) were made from scratch and there is just something special about both of those being homemade. For the stjerneskud, the rugbrod was buttered and a piece of lettuce was added. The dish had a fried filet of sole along with a steamed one, which sat on top of the lettuce. The sauce was a combination of a tarter and cocktail sauce that went very well with the fish. This was a bit heavy for an appetizer, as this would normally be served for lunch, but since it was ranked so high in the Danish national dish contest, we just had to try it. One could of course, make small appetizer-size bites of just gravlax and rugbrod with different sauces and garnishes, which would be perfect.

After a bit of relaxation we had the main course served along with the fresh beetroot salad that was made in honor of the “new Nordic cuisine”. What is not to love about pork belly? It is so flavorful with that crispy skin and with those little new potatoes smothered in creamy parsley sauce, wow! We totally understand how this was voted the favorite national dish. The combination of the fresh beetroot with fresh horseradish and dill was delicious and welcomed as a refreshing side dish.

Next, we needed to go for a bike ride and peddle away those calories. Oh, wait, that would be right after dessert. I was originally going to make a Danish, I mean the Wienerbrod. I thought it was quite humorous that what the rest of the world calls “a Danish”, they call, Vienna Bread. I learned that this flaky, pastry crust actually originated in Austria. (Oh, and the Great Dane dog breed, is actually German.) Although, they have perfected the art of the pastry in Denmark, we enjoyed an original Danish dessert, the Danish pancakes called Aebleskivers with a cup of coffee to complete our lovely meal.

Then we said “Tak tor mad” which means, thanks for food, and we went for that bike ride. We rode to a nearby lake and sat down and read “The Ugly Duckling,” a tale by Denmark’s beloved Hans Christian Anderson. There we pondered if it was the fairy tales or the “hygee” that makes Demark the happiest country in the world. Perhaps both.

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene

New Year's Eve traditions around the world

It is always fascinating to learn a little something about how other places and cultures celebrate special days.  New Year’s Eve, (or Old Year’s Day) is celebrated in many parts of the world, although it has many different names.  Countries in Europe call it St. Sylvester’s Day.  Malam Tahun Baru is what it is called in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.  It is called Hogmanay in Scotland and Reveillon or Wallonia in Brazil, and Portugal.  This special evening is held on the last day of the year of the Gregorian calendar, which is December 31^st, and rings in the New Year at midnight.

Fireworks are a common way to celebrate the New Year in many countries around the world.  Festivals and celebrations also include song, dance and of course, great food.

Here are some fun and quirky things people do around the world to say goodbye to the old year and bring in the new:

In Australia, people run out into the streets and bang on pots and pans.

In Denmark, they shatter dishes and plates against the front doors of friends and family.

In hope for good fortune, in Ecuador, giant scarecrows are made of paper and burned, along with photographs of the past year.

Speaking of South American countries, many believe that, your fate in the New Year is determined by the color of the underwear you wear that night.  If they are red, they will bring you love, wealth if they are yellow, and peace if they are white.

In Peru, there is a festival in a small village called the Takanakuy Festival, where at the end of the year people settle their differences with a fist fight, so they can start off the year without holding any grudges.

An easier way to ring in the New Year is practiced in Argentina, where at the stroke of midnight they take their first step with their right foot, thereby, “Starting the year off on the right foot.”

In Romania, people toss spare coins into the river for good luck.

Dropping ice cream on the floor is what they do in Switzerland.  (We are not sure how this tradition emerged.)

In Puerto Rico, people throw buckets of water out of their window to drive away evil spirits.

In Turkey, they smash pomegranates. The more pieces it breaks in to, the more good luck will come.

In Belgium, even the livestock get in the spirit as they are decorated and paraded around town with bells ringing.

Columbia believes that if you carry around an empty suitcase, travel will come your way in the New Year.

Many places including Bolivia, like to bake a coin into their sweets.  Whoever finds it in the treat will have good luck for the next year (and hopefully not a broken tooth.)

In Spain, they eat grapes, one for each chime of the church bell at midnight.  It is believed to bring good luck for each month of the coming year.  The grapes enjoyed along with some Cava of course.

In Finland, they cast molten tin into a bucket of water and then predict what’s in store for the coming year by the interpretation of the resulting shape.

In the Philippines, they turn on all the lights to ward off evil spirits.  They also wear polka dots, as anything round is considered to bring luck and prosperity in the New Year.

In Japan, the Buddhist temples strike the gong 108 times to expel 108 human weaknesses. The Japanese also have a tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve, the long noodles represent longevity.

In Brazil, everyone wears white to scare away bad spirits and in Chile they sleep beside their loved ones in the cemetery.

Lentils and black-eyed peas are popular in many places to welcome in a full year of work and money.  In fact in Texas, black eyed peas are called Texas caviar.

Pork in many forms is another way the New year is celebrated, pigs root their food in a forward motion, so pork represents looking forward in the New Year.  My sister makes pork and sauerkraut every New Year's day. 

Also in the United States, watching the giant crystal ball drop in Times Square (formerly called, Longacre Square) in New York City is a favorite at midnight, along with a toast of champagne, a kiss, and singing the Scottish classic called Auld Lang Syne which means, “old long ago.” According to Scotland.org, “The song is about love and kindness of days gone by, but it also gives us a sense of belonging and fellowship to take with us into the future.”

However you and your loved ones celebrate this New Year’s Eve, be safe, and why not do a little something special for good luck, travel and prosperity.

I would love to hear how you celebrate the New Year, Please do let me know in the comments below.

Happy New Year my friends!

Warmest regards,

Darlene

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    How did Sweden get its name?

The name Sweden, comes from a powerful, warlike tribe back in 500 A.D., called, the Svea Tribe. Swedes call their land Sverige, which means “Land of the Svea.”  The Svea tribe made raids all along the northern European coast and became known as the Vikings, which means “Pirates” in an old Norse language. Today, Sweden is officially known as, the Kingdom of Sweden.

Where is Sweden located?

Sweden is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian peninsula.  It is bordered by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea.  Her neighbors are Norway to the west, Finland to the east, and she is connected to Denmark in the southwest, by a bridge tunnel across the Oresund Strait.  Sweden also shares maritime borders with Germany, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.  Its capital city is Stockholm, located on the south-central east coast. It is built on 14 islands and has 50 bridges and is filled with royal palaces and museums.   It is the largest and most populous city in Sweden and its location makes it one of the world’s most beautiful.  Sweden is the fifth largest country in all of Europe.

A Brief History of Sweden

Sweden has a long history, dating back 12000 years, when the thick, ice cap covering the land started to retreat and people started to move in.  Artifacts from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age have all been found in Sweden.  It was, however, the Viking Age, when significant expansion occurred. The Vikings traveled as far as the Black and Caspian Seas, where they developed trading partners with the Byzantine Empire and the Arab Kingdoms.

Christianity was introduced through missionaries and the country converted to Christianity in the 11th century.  It was in 1280 when Sweden became a kingdom, as the various provinces of Sweden were absorbed into a single unit and King Magnus Ladulas authorized the establishment of nobility and organized the society based on the feudal model. 

In 1389, the crowns of Denmark, Norway and Sweden united under the rule of the Danish Queen, Margareta and the Kalmar Union was formed.  This union had many internal conflicts which culminated into what is known as the “Stockholm Bloodbath,” when 80 Swedish nobles were executed.  This act provoked rebellion and the seizure of power by a Swedish nobleman, Gustav Vasa, who was then elected King of Sweden in 1523.

The Swedish Empire grew substantially during the 16^th century and even founded a short-lived colony in what is now Delaware in North America.  It was the defeat in the Great Northern War against the combined forces of Denmark, Poland and Russia when Sweden lost most of its provinces on the other side of the Baltic Sea and was reduced to what is now Sweden and Finland.  After this defeat and the death of the warrior, King Karl XII, the Swedish parliament and council introduced a new constitution that abolished royal absolutism and put the power into the hands of Parliament.  

The 18^th century was a difficult period for Sweden as it was hit hard by the Napoleonic wars, when trade came to a halt.  This led to stagnation and an economic crisis.  One consequence of this crisis was mass emigration.  From the mid 1800s until 1930 about 1.5 million Swedes, out of a population of 3.5 million, emigrated.

Sweden managed to remain neutral through both world wars and emerged as one of Europe’s leading industrial nations.  Today Sweden’s government is run as a constitutional monarchy, supported by a parliamentary government.  The country is part of the EU but not their currency, which is the krona.  Sweden is known for its ultra-high taxes (at 59%) and cradle to grave welfare system.  In recent years, the main debate in Parliament has been how to sustain Sweden’s generous welfare system while putting a halt to ever increasing taxes.  Sweden provides health insurance, 15 months of paid parental leave, tax-free child allowances, as well as free education.  When a Swede reaches retirement age, they are entitled to a hefty pension that rises with inflation. Despite the high taxes, they enjoy high wages and Swedes rank as one of the happiest nations on earth.

Swedish Culture

Sweden is known to be an egalitarian society with the main defining features being modesty, equality and respect for universal human rights.  Swedes are known to be reserved and conservative.

The government does not collect statistics on ethnicity but rather on one’s country of birth.  In recent years there have been large waves of international immigration which has changed the Swedish makeup substantially.  Sweden has accepted more refugees per capita than any other European nation.  

Sweden is also home to a small indigenous people known as the Sami, who live in the north and survive on reindeer, husbandry, tourism, fishing and crafts.  Sami was recently recognized as an official minority language in Sweden.  Swedish is the official language but nearly 80 percent of the population is able to also speak English, the most people of any other European nation.  However, you shouldn’t expect to hear Swedes speaking English to each other.

Many Swedes pride themselves on having a religiously diverse and tolerant society.  About 60 percent identify as Lutheran (the Church of Sweden) while eight and a half percent belong to some other religion.  Further, 31 percent do not identify with any religion at all.  Generally speaking, a large percentage of those who call themselves Lutheran, do not attend regular church services. They do, however, celebrate religious holidays, especially Good Friday, Easter and Christmas.

Speaking of holidays, a few stand out in Sweden.  Sweden’s National Day is celebrated on June 6^th, which honors two historical events: Gustav Vasa being elected as king in 1523 and the adoption of a new constitution, in 1809.  Another celebrated day is called Midsummer.  Swedes, with wreaths of flowers in their hair, dance around a pole, singing songs while drinking unsweetened, flavored schnapps.  They also devour lots of pickled herring and new potatoes.  Being outdoors is a big part of Midsummer celebrations, whether in a park or at someone’s summerhouse.

In Sweden, access to nature is protected by a law known as Allenmansratten (meaning the right of common access to land.) The law applies to all fields, forests, lakes and beaches across the country and is all free to the public.  This law has helped foster a love and appreciation of nature.  The change of seasons is exceptionally important as the winter months can be long and dark in Sweden.  During the summer months, the sun is visible for most of the day and into the night and is a time for celebration.

Music and literature are both very important elements of Swedish culture.  Sweden has more choirs per capita than any other country.  They have produced many famous musicians and writers.  Sweden is also especially well known for the five Nobel prizes, established by Alfred Nobel, in 1901. They are awarded in several important categories with great anticipation, every year.  

Swedish Cuisine

As we look into the cuisine of Sweden, it is quite diverse, especially by region.  Up north, meats, such as reindeer and other wild game are extremely popular where as fresh vegetables play a larger role in the cuisine in the south.  Dairy products, breads made from rye, wheat, oat, white, dark and sourdough, are all popular.  Berries and stone fruits are ubiquitous.  Potatoes are served, often boiled or mashed, as a side to dish to many meat and fish dishes.  Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, eggs and seafood are the most popular sources of protein.  Swedish cuisine is generally considered rather bland, as spices are not often used in their dishes. 

Sweden has several famous dishes and traditions like, the smorgasbord, where many different dishes are set out to be enjoyed buffet style.  Thursday is known as soup day because that is the day that maids only work half the day and can easily leave a pot of soup on the stove to serve later.  The most common soup is called Artsoppa, a yellow, pea soup made with pork, that is served with pancakes for dessert.  Of course, Swedish meatballs are known throughout the world and are considered the national dish of Sweden. In August, they hold another celebratory feast known as the Crayfish Party. Large amounts of crayfish are boiled and then marinated in a broth, with salt, sugar and dill weed. 

Swedes also love fika, which is a time to enjoy coffee and a pastry.  Fika is a time to take a true work break and focus on socializing.  Generally, there are two, 10-30 minute, fika breaks in the work day.  Swedes are the third most coffee drinking nation in the world and it is almost always enjoyed with a delicious bread or pastry, such as their famous cinnamon buns, called kanelbullar.

So let’s enjoy a Swedish meal:

The Menu

 First Course

Toast Skagen (Prawn Toast)

 Main Course

 Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)

Served with

Pressgurka (Cucumber Salad)

Dessert

Kladdkaka (Sticky Chocolate Cake)

We set the scene with the colors of the Swedish flag; blue and yellow.  We placed a Dala horse in the décor, a symbol of Sweden for the past 400 years.  A Viking ship and shield were added as well as a picture of an elk, (Sweden’s national animal,) and finally a crown, representing the Monarchy.  To set the mood we put on ABBA’s greatest hits; Sweden’s most popular band.  Did you know that ABBA is one of the best-selling, popular music groups in the history of recorded music?

We began by saying “Smaklig Måltid” which means “Bon Appetit” in Swedish.  Our first course was a scrumptious appetizer called Toast Skagen.  It is a piece of bread, fried in butter and then topped with  prawns (or shrimp) in a mayonnaise mixture and a big dollop of caviar.  It is  garnished with lemon and dill. 

Next, was Sweden’s national dish; Swedish meatballs.  They were served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce and a cucumber salad.  The meatballs were made of pork and beef and then smothered in a creamy gravy, which went perfectly with the potatoes.  The lingonberry sauce is similar to a cranberry sauce and in Sweden is very popular to put on nearly everything (except bread interestingly.)  The cucumber salad added a lovely sweet and sour bite to the plate that provided, the perfect balance. 

For dessert, we had my new favorite thing!  Kladdkaka is a sticky, gooey, chocolate cake with an almost crispy outer layer, (more like a brownie than a cake.)  Heavenly.  After I ate my piece of Kladdkaka, I had to give the rest away or I would have eaten up the entire thing.

I remembered the Swedish word “lagom.”  It doesn’t have a literal translation to English but basically means “just right.”  It is the concept of “just enough.”  In a single word, “lagom” is said to describe the basis of the Swedish national psyche, one of consensus and equality.  In moderation, less is more, an idea that there is a perfect, and best, amount of food, space, laughter and sadness.  

When we finished our delicious Swedish meal we said “det smakade utmärkt” (it’s delicious.)

Until next time,

Stay safe.

Darlene

The name Norway comes from the old Norse words, “nordr” and “vegr.” The words mean, “way to the north” or “northern way;” because of its very northern location.  In fact, it is the most northern country in all of Europe. Today, the Norwegians have two official names, “Noreg” in Nynorsk and “Norge” in Bokmål.  Norge is used most often.

Norway is a Scandinavian country and shares a long, land border which includes the Scandinavian mountains with Sweden.  It also has a border with Finland and Russia, to the north.  The Skagarrak Strait, lies between them and Denmark is to the south.  Norway has an extensive coastline on the west, along the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea.

Norway is run as a constitutional monarchy.  The current King is Harald V.  Norway was ruled by Denmark for some 400 years and was also part of Sweden.  They have, in essence, two independence days; one, when they gained independence from Denmark, in 1814 (however it was for a very brief period of time) then, they were given to Sweden by the victors of the Napoleonic war and finally regained their independence on June 7^th, 1905.

During World War II, Norway was invaded and occupied by Germany.  Norway was one of the signers of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and was a founding member of the United Nations. The first UN General Secretary, Trygve Lie, was a Norwegian.  Norway is not part of the European Union, although it has been voted on a few times.  Their currency is called the Norwegian kroner.

Most of Norway’s population are Norwegians; a Germanic ethnic group, plus Sami, which makes up 94 percent of the population.  The rest are immigrants from other countries. especially European.  Oslo is the capital city, known for its beautiful green areas.  It is the most populous city in Norway.  It was founded back in 1040 as a trading place.  It is usually rated as one of the best places to live, in terms of quality of life, despite the high cost of living.  The official languages are Bokmal and Nynorsk Norwegian, but Sami, and Kven are also spoken.  English is taught as a second language.  The religion of Norway is mostly the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway with nearly 80 percent of the population making it their affiliation.  However, only about ten percent attend services on a regular basis.  The rest are a mix of religions, with Catholicism being second.

Norway is one of the few countries in the world with fjords – long narrow inlets in the coastline, with deep sides or cliffs, formed by glaciers, millions of years ago.  In fact, two of them are UNESCO natural world heritage sites; the spectacular West Norwegian Fjords, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.  Norway’s coastline is estimated to be 18,000 miles when you count the 1,190 fjords or 1600 miles if you don’t.  The Vikings (who ruled the country during the Viking Age between 800 and 1066 AD) built boats to navigate these unique inlets. Almost all of Norway is high ground. They have a wonderful road system and have the longest tunnel in the world, the Lærdal Tunnel, which is 15.2 miles long.  There are many beautiful bridges over deep fjords, as well as a major ferry service and numerous tunnels under the mountains.

Two-thirds of the country is tundra, rock or snowfields, and one-quarter is forested, as a result, good agricultural land is hard to come by.  Less than three percent of Norway is cultivated, and those areas are in the southeast and in the river valleys. The mountains of Norway are rich in minerals and they have large offshore reserves of petroleum and natural gas. Norway ranks 15^th in the world in oil production and is the greatest reason for the countries enormous wealth.  They have the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, worth just shy of one trillion dollars.  The lower price of fuel of late, has been a burden on their economy, and they made their first ever withdrawal from the wealth fund in 2016.

Although Norway is far north, the climate is not as cold as one might expect.  The North Atlantic Drift brings warm, damp, air to the whole country.  It is generally cooler inland and to the north, where winters are long and accompanied with much snow.  From late May to late July, the sun never completely dips beneath the horizon in areas north of the Arctic Circle. This is how Norway got its nickname, "The Land of the Midnight Sun."   The rest of the country experiences up to 20 hours of daylight per day.  It is just the opposite in winter, when from late November to late January, the sun never rises above the horizon in the north, and daylight hours are scarce in the rest of the country.

Norway is known as a spectacular place to see the “Aurora Borealis” or, “The Northern Lights.”  They say they are most active around the equinox in both fall and spring.  Of course, there are never guarantees to witness Mother Nature’s grand creation but your odds are pretty good between the hours of 9:00pm and 1:00am in the far north, when the sky is clear and dark.

The north is also home to the indigenous people called the Sami or Lapps.  They have lived in the Artic region for thousands of years.  About 50,000 to 65,000 call Norway home.  There, they keep their unique culture, language and traditions alive, including reindeer husbandry.

As we look into the cuisine of Norway, it is largely influenced by its coastal location.  Fish is the heart and soul of Norwegian cuisine.  They poach it, smoke it, grill it, fry it, salt it, dry cure it and boil it with a huge variety of seafood.  Smoked salmon is for what Norway is the most famous. They are the second largest exporter of seafood in the world, after China.  They even introduced the Japanese, to salmon that could be eaten raw for sushi and sashimi.  Fish soups, pickled herring and gravlax are all very popular dishes. The Norwegian population is among the healthiest in the world, as diet plays an important role.  Game meats like reindeer, goose and duck are also loved foods in the country.

Norway, despite its riches today, before 1905 had a rather substandard standard of living.  They only had a small number of ingredients to work with and porridge was often the only meal available and was eaten two to three times a day.  Since there was not much agricultural land, they had a hard time feeding the population.

Bread is usually dark and made of rye, as it grows easily in Norway.  These breads are often used to make open face sandwiches, called smorebrod.  They also have an interesting bread called lefse that is made of potato and is thin like a crepe.  This is often sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and a favorite at Christmas time.

Dairy is also very important in Norway and they are huge milk drinkers.  The average Norwegian consumes 40 gallons of milk per year.  Jalsberg cheese is a big export item for them as well. State controlled, independent dairies, make a myriad of cheeses that are loved around the world.  Potatoes are the most popular vegetable and apples, rhubarb and berries are used in all sorts of delicious creations.  Dill and caraway, thyme and oregano are the favorite seasonings, as they grow wild.  Shredded horseradish is also a staple, as is mustard, especially on salmon.

So let us enjoy a Norwegian meal:

The Menu

Starter

Gravlax (Cured Salmon)

Salad

 Hvitkalsalat (Coleslaw)

Main Course

Krabbelag (Seafood Feast)

Dessert

Kvæfjordkake Verdens beste (World’s Best Cake)

We set the table in blue, red and white; the colors of their flag.  We placed elk antlers as the centerpiece, since the elk is a national symbol, (although they call it a moose.)  Purple heather was added, as it is the national flower, as well as a whale, home to their seas.  A reindeer cup represented the Sami population and reindeer herding, and an anchor, symbolizing their seafaring heritage.  A King’s crown and a penguin were also included, as there is a penguin, named Nils Olav III, who is a member of the King’s Guard and the only penguin in the world to be promoted to Brigadier.

We began our first course of gravlax; delicious salmon that had been salt and sugar cured in lemon zest and dill for several days.  The result was amazing, almost candy like, and was served with a mustard aioli alongside.  We enjoyed it with a toast “Skal” pronounced “Skawl” which means “cheers.”  We clinked our glasses with shot of Aquavit, a famous exported liquor made from potatoes and flavored with caraway seed or star anise.

For the main course, it was a seafood feast called Krabbalag.  All the seafood (lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels and clams) were boiled with potatoes and corn and flavored with thyme and dill.  Mayonnaise and drawn butter were accompaniments.  This meal is typically enjoyed in a rustic environment; outside with all the seafood dumped on the table covered with butcher paper, for everyone to grab a piece, crack it and savor.  I made this feast for my father’s 90^th birthday party, some 40 people and it was loved by all!  It was served with a coleslaw, made a few days ahead, marinated with sugar and vinegar, imparting it a lovely sweet and sour flavor.

For dessert, I just had to make the cake called, “The World’s Best.”  In Norwegian, it is called, Kvæfjordkake Verdens beste.  It was awesome!!!  Basically, it is a pound cake covered in meringue, similar to New Zealand’s pavlova.  It is then layered with cream and fruit.  I used bananas and strawberries, but you can use whatever fruit you like.  It was topped with toasted almonds; which, was, literally, the icing on the cake!  Best in the world, for sure!

As we say goodbye to Norway, I have to wonder what makes it the world’s happiest place?  Perhaps it is the free education, offered from elementary school through college, or 25 days of vacation paid leave per year, or a year’s paid maternity leave, or three months paternity paid leave, or free healthcare, or a generous pension and low unemployment?  I am sure these things factor in, however they do pay for these privileges, with high taxes.  It may also be all the outdoor activities Norway has to offer.  They are renowned for their winter sports, having hosted the Winter Olympics twice.  They also have fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking the list goes on and on.  They have a saying in Norway “There is no bad weather, just bad clothes.”

If you ask a Norwegian, they will likely tell you they find happiness in the way they help each other.  They have each other’s backs, and a true sense of community, which brings comfort and joy to all.

Perhaps I should spend some quality time in Norway, to help me truly figure it out!

Until next time,

“Hah  ehn gooh  dahg” (Have a good day”)

Darlene
 

It was Scandinavian sailors that discovered Iceland in the ninth century. It is believed that a Norse Viking named Floki, sailed to Iceland and named it such. The book of Settlements called, “Landnamabok”, was written in the twelfth century and contains information on the first four hundred settlers. Among the settlers the Scandinavians brought, were people of Irish and Norse descent. They went to Iceland in search of a better life but what they faced was a continuous struggle against Mother Nature. The land is made habitable only by the warm currents of the jet stream. Much of the folklore and myths surrounding Iceland were created during this early settlement time. The four guardians of the land are the eagle, the giant, the dragon and the bull, all of which are found on the coat of arms, the parliament building and their coins.

Iceland is an island, located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Norway, just south of the Arctic Circle. Some people say that Greenland should have been called Iceland and Iceland should have been called Greenland, just because of the way the lands look. Iceland is much greener than Greenland. Iceland is a volcanic island in one of the most active volcanic areas of the world. It is also one of the youngest islands and the latest to be inhabited by humans. The interior known as “The Highlands” are cold and uninhabitable, consisting of a plateau of sand and lava fields, mountains and glaciers. Many glacier rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands where waterfalls abound. She is a land of contrasts and called, “The Land of Fire and Ice”. The island nation is sparsely populated with most of her 330,000 residents living in the capital city of Reykjavik, the northern most capital city in the world. The language they speak is Icelandic, which has not changed much through the centuries and is a symbol of national pride. It is probably closest to Old Norse, of all modern Scandinavian languages.

Iceland became independent on June 17, 1944, after 97 percent of the population voted overwhelmingly in favor of separating from Denmark. Iceland has the longest surviving parliament, known as “the Althingi” which was established in the year 930, when Iceland became a commonwealth. Iceland was also ruled for a time in the 1200s by Norway.

Icelanders are a very proud people and it seems that nearly all are related to each other. They have a unique way of naming people. They don’t use surnames, they are named as the dottir (daughter) or son of the father. For example, the daughter of Jon (whose first name is Anna) is called Anna Jonsdottir. The first name has to be in the Icelandic book of names or has to be approved. In the phonebook, the people are listed by their first name, with their occupation.

Due to Iceland’s geographical location, the winter may only have 4 hours of daylight and in the summertime, it is light 24 hours a day. Both seasons bring tourists, as the famous Northern Lights are best observed during the winter months, yet many festivals are held during the summertime. They even host the midnight, International golf tournaments during the summer months. Both seasons are also times to enjoy the many geothermal pools and geysers that are found across the country. One called the Blue Lagoon is a popular favorite.

Iceland ranks very high in many world categories. They are one of the most literate nations in the world and many speak English as well as Icelandic. They rank 13th in the world regarding environmental protection and they are incredibly green, with 85 percent of their power coming from sustainable sources and half of that, from geothermal power. They have universal health care, free education, low taxes and unemployment, and have hardly any crime. Even the police in Iceland do not carry guns. It is common to see small children and babies parked outside a café all bundled up for a nap, in a stroller, sleeping in the cool, crisp air, while the parents are inside visiting without a worry about abduction. They also have the second highest, life expectancy in the world. The world’s strongest man was from Iceland and they see more movies than any other nation on earth.

Most of the animals found in Iceland were brought there by early settlers, however there was one indigenous animal found on the island, the arctic fox. The animals you will see most commonly are sheep, which are everywhere, and the strikingly beautiful Icelandic ponies, who are famous for their ambling gaits called the tölt . There are no mosquitos in Iceland and no reptiles or amphibians. Iceland is home to about 300 species of birds and some 6000 plant species. One bird that you may find on an occasional Icelandic menu, is the beautiful puffin. The puffin’s heart is considered one of Iceland’s delicacies.

As we look into the cuisine of this island nation, it is fish and sheep that rule the diet. Iceland has little arable land and a very short growing season but they do grow potatoes and turnips. Most of the other produce is imported.

Fishing is the main industry in Iceland and delicious types of seafood can be found throughout the island. Iceland has been criticized for recently lifting a ban and allowing whaling to be legal again. Minke whale is another item you will find on their menu. Evidently, it is a real treat for those that can get past the fact that it is whale. I have heard it described as the best carpaccio you will ever eat.

Icelandic cuisine however, does not have the best reputation, as they do have some strange items for which they are known. These are typically served as part of a Porramatur, an Icelandic banquet, served at the midwinter festival known as a Porrablot. One is called hakari, a fermented dried shark that some say, if you don’t throw up when you smell it, you can probably handle eating it. A few other delicacies are from the sheep; like cooking the whole sheep head and then of course, serving the testicles.

There was prohibition in Iceland on beer (and all alcohol for a while) from back in 1915 and beer didn’t become available for sale until March 1, 1989, popularly known as Beer Day. “Viking” is Iceland’s most popular beer. Other alcohol is sold in state run stores. Their most famous drink is Brennivin, known as “Black Death”, made from fermented grain or potato mash and flavored with caraway. It is described as an aquavit, as the steeping of herbs in alcohol to create schnapps is a long held tradition in Scandinavian countries. They also are the largest per capita consumers of Coca-Cola.

So let’s eat an Icelandic meal:

The Menu
Starter
Lobster Soup (Humarsúpa)

Main
Cod with Egg and Butter Sauce (Þorskur með Eggja og Smjörsósu)

Served with
Caramel-Glazed Potatoes (Brúnaðar Kartöflur)

Roasted Asparagus and Fennel

Dessert
Skyr White chocolate Crème Brulee

served with Blueberry Schnapps

For this meal we were thrilled to enjoy it with my sister, Dale and her husband, Bo, who were on their way back home to Texas. Dale does not eat red meat, so the menu was perfect for her. We set the table with the colors of the Icelandic flag; blue represents the surrounding Atlantic Ocean and the pristine skies, red represents the fires of the nation’s volcanoes and white is for the snow and ice that cover much of the land. We adorned the table with beautiful, white petal flowers that looked like the mountain avens; Iceland’s national flower. We added staves, magical symbols that are believed to keep Icelanders safe from harm.

Our first course was a rich and delectable lobster and shrimp soup. To be honest, I had never made my own seafood stock before, it was really easy to do and the flavor it rendered was awesome. The base was similar to a lobster bisque and we garnished with fresh thyme. Bo said it was the best he ever had. This is a keeper for sure!

For the main course, we dined on a perfectly cooked, filet of cod. (as James Brown would say, “Good cod!”) Cod is a much loved fish in Iceland, they even fought cod wars with the United Kingdom, back in the 1970s, to protect their cod fishing grounds. Our fish was baked and then covered with an egg and butter sauce that was creamy and delicious. The fish was served with roasted asparagus and fennel, another lovely combination of flavors. And then there were the caramelized potatoes; seriously, sinful potatoes that were definitely loved by all.

For dessert, a skyr, white chocolate, crème brulee. Skyr, (pronounced skeer) is a type of creamy, smooth, low fat yogurt, popular all over Iceland. My husband simply said, this was the best crème brulee he has ever had, and we all agreed! Finally a toast, “Skal”, means cheers in Iceland which went with a shot of blueberry schnapps. This was the finish to our unbelievably delicious, Icelandic meal.

Honestly, Iceland will have to go down as one of our favorites. The food was outstanding and good meals are always enjoyed best in the company of friends and family.

This week I wanted to give you a little extra something and introduce you to my nephew, Eliot. He has such a beautiful perspective on life and is real free spirit. He works on Oahu, Hawaii as a life guard. He has traveled to many exotic places including Iceland and was willing to share some of his awesome pictures and experiences with us. He went on his own, in the dead of winter and had the time of his life. Please note that all of the beautiful photos in this post were provided by Eliot! Enjoy my interview with Eliot:

How did you decide on Iceland and how do you pick where your next trip is?

That's kind of a tough one. I think it usually starts with a photo in a magazine or an exotic backdrop in a movie or book that sparks my interest and imagination. I think we are all guilty of daydreaming of somewhere far off and exotic from time to time. From there I start reading guide books, researching maps and photos and it pretty much snowballs into an obsession with a place until I buy my plane ticket. Iceland was no different. I think it was the "Secret Life of Walter Mitty" that first put it on my radar, then those otherworldly, volcanic landscapes just started to call my name...

What does travel mean to you?

For me, travel is my reset button. Day to day routines at home can get mundane and stale at times (even in Hawaii). You get numb to your surroundings and things around you. Some days you don't even remember driving to work or eating lunch. Traveling opens up your senses like nothing else. New sights, people and experiences are everywhere. Even just grabbing breakfast can be an adventure in a new city. That's what travel means to me, a great opportunity to live in the moment, just the way we are meant to do.

What about travel makes you feel like you're getting a true cultural experience?

I think the best way to immerse yourself in a culture is food! Food is always the nucleus of any culture, it brings people together like nothing else. A good meal in a foreign place gives you a taste of the local traditions, language, taboos, religions and social hierarchy. Dinner in a foreign country is like cliff notes on the culture.

What camera equipment do you pack to get such beautiful shots?

I use a Canon T3i, not the most expensive or best camera but it's light and gets the job done. (Some say it's the Indian and not the arrow.) Other than that I pack a tripod, extra batteries and a remote shutter button for long exposures. The key is patience and a lot of luck. At one point, I was freezing and started doing jumping jacks at 2am, wearing every piece of clothing I packed to stay warm just to get a Northern lights shot. So let's factor in a little resilience too.

What will stay with you forever on that trip?

My trip around Iceland had so many moments I'll never forget. One that stands out is camping by an icy lagoon, towards the end of my trip. There was a floating dock on the edge of the water. It was late in the afternoon and I decided to post up on the dock for the sunset with a couple of "Viking" beers. I brought my sleeping bag to keep warm while the air cooled off and some of my favorite tunes as well. Every couple of minutes, a piece of ice would break off and gently rock the wood platform. It was hypnotic and so relaxing that I ended up falling asleep before the sun went down. I woke up at 10pm, slightly dazed on the dock and I couldn't believe my eyes. Earlier in the trip I had seen some northern lights but they were nothing compared to what I saw this night. Huge beams of green, purple and golden light swayed from one horizon, clear over my head to the next horizon. It was a powerful moment; to dream about something for years finally and have it displayed right in front of my eyes. The solar storm lasted until 3am and I loved every minute of it. I'll remember that night the rest of my life. That's why I travel.

You can find Eliot on Instagram at eliot_beebe. He always has beautiful photos and inspiring thoughts to share; you should definitely follow him.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Deutschland means “of the people” and is what the Germans call their homeland. “Deutsch” is what they call themselves. Germany is located in central Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and lying between the Netherlands and Poland and the south of Denmark. Her other neighbors are Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France and Belgium. Germany is the second most populous country in all of Europe, after Russia, with over 82 million who call Germany home. The ethnicity is made up of over ninety percent Germans, two percent Turkish (as the second largest ethnic group) and the remainder, immigrants from neighboring countries.

German is the language they speak and is the third most popular language in the world. Five other countries list German as their official language. Germany has an intriguing and vast history. The region had been part of the Holy Roman Empire and actually did not unite as a singular country until 1871, when it became the German Empire. The princes of the German States gathered and proclaimed Wilhelm I of Prussia, as the German Emperor. In years to come the Imperial German Army became the most powerful military in Europe. The German economy was rapidly growing, as was German pride and intense nationalism.

Although Germans had been involved in many conflicts in conjunction with other empires, the newly formed German Empire payed a massive price for their involvement in World War I. In fact, they just recently finished paying off the huge reparations. After World War I, Germany suffered greatly in the early 1920s with hyperinflation. This occurred when they missed a reparation payment. Things happened so fast, that one could not make it to the store, with a wheel-barrel full of Deutsch marks, quickly enough to purchase a loaf of bread. People burned their marks to stay warm, as it was more cost effective than paying for heat. It was during this time that Adolf Hitler started his rise to power as head of the National Socialist German Workers Party or Nazi for short. The Germans were angry with the price of the war and when the Great Depression hit, unemployment was unbearable. Hitler was a spellbinding orator that told the Germans exactly what they wanted to hear. He was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

What transpired next was the rise of the Third Reich. Ethnic cleansing, anti-Semitism and genocidal atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis, became known as the Holocaust. Eleven million people were killed in Germany and surrounding countries during the Holocaust; 6 million were Jews, 1.1 million children, along with other groups targeted by the Nazis for termination such as, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, disabled people and Romas (Gypsies.) Millions of others, that were not exterminated, were tortured and suffered for years in German concentration camps. This horrific chapter of Germany’s history has been difficult to overcome. Yet we can’t forget that many other countries and empires around the world have also endured similar atrocities and somehow managed to evolve as a people. Today, Holocaust denial, using the Hitler salute of “Heil Hitler”, or displaying the swastika, constitutes a crime in Germany. We can only hope that this dark past will be eclipsed by the decency, progress and hard work of Germans today.

After World War II, in 1945, Germany was divided into four zones between the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), The United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and France. The capital city, Berlin, was an island in the heart of East Germany. In 1949, West Germany, which included the former UK, US and French zones, united as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany. The German Democratic Republic or East Germany included the USSR zone. East Germany lived in isolation for many years while West Germany began its recovery and explored free enterprise. The famous words of Ronald Regan, commanding Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall” (referring to the Berlin wall that was built in 1961 by the USSR to keep East Germans from going to West Germany) contributed to the end of the Cold War. Germany was truly unified between East and West when the wall was torn down and all four powers formally relinquished their rights on March 15, 1991.

Today Germany is thriving. She has one of the highest levels of education, technological development and economic prosperity. Social programs include: universal healthcare, unemployment compensation and child benefits. Germans have made tremendous contributions to the world in multiple areas. Classical music, for example, gave us the genius of Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Strauss and Schumann, to name a few of the world’s most famous composers and all were German. Engineering innovation was another contribution in the automotive industry with the likes of: Porsche, BMW and Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen. If you call for a taxi in Germany, it will likely be a Mercedes Benz and any one of these fine automobiles would be a thrill on the world famous Autobahn, where there is no speed limit. Architecture is another area of pride in Germany. There are over 150 castles in Germany and cathedrals and buildings designed in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles, are found all over the country. A prime example of their world class architecture, is the famous Brandenburg gate. This former city gate is now a symbol of Berlin’s unity. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1439 was epochal. Einstein, probably the most recognized scientist in the world, was born in Ulm, Germany. The list of famous German inventions and people goes on and on which is why Deutschland is also known as, “Das land der dichter und denker” (The country of poets and thinkers.)

As we look into the cuisine of this most interesting nation, we find that it is as varied as its past. For hundreds of years, the German Empire consisted of smaller kingdoms, sub-units and duchies. The people of these various regions still carry on their traditions and specialty cuisines. Some might say German food is a bit heavy and there is some truth to that. However, today the modern German cuisine is International and uses a wide variety of fresh ingredients. The cuisine also changes with the seasons; game meat, mushrooms, and certain vegetables, like white asparagus, are wildly popular in the summer. Cabbage, beets, and turnips are native to the region and used year round. Potatoes were introduced by a botanist in 1589 and have become a staple. The potato makes up a large part of the German diet, cooked in numerous delicious ways from pancakes to dumplings, soups and salads. Germans also make over 300 varieties of bread and even have bread museums. Pork is the number one meat consumed and it no surprise, (I think the first thing that came to my mind regarding German food was bratwurst and sauerkraut.) The Germans are famous for wurst (sausage) and they have over 1400 different varieties.

Clearly neighboring countries, including Russia and Turkey, influenced German cuisine, especially in the eastern regions. Back in the 1960s, when Germany was enjoying a huge economic boom, they suffered from an acute labor shortage. The Germans made a trade agreement with Turkey for labor, which is why the Turks are the second largest ethnic group in Germany today.

Depending on what statistic you read, Germany ranks either second or third in the world for beer consumption. Germany is the birthplace of a number of beer varieties. Brews were crafted according to a 16th century, Bavarian law known as Reinheitsgebot or “the purity law.” The law decreed that beer could only be brewed from barley, hops and water. Brewers could only use the yeast available from the air.

One of their most famous beer festivals in Germany is Oktoberfest. It actually begins in September and well may be the largest festival in the world. The festival has been held in Munich each year since Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hilldburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities, held on the fields in front of the city gates, to celebrate the happy royal event. Today some six million visitors converge to enjoy huge steins of beer called “mass” (a liter in size) along with delicious German fares at the Oktoberfest celebration. If you go, know that if you order a beer with your index finger they will bring you two. If you just want one, you need to indicate that with just your thumb. German beer must also compete with their brandy and Schnapps as well as their world famous, German wines.

So let’s enjoy a traditional Deutsch meal:

The Menu
Starter
Brezeln (Pretzels and beer, served with mustard)

Main
Sauerbraten (Marinated beef with gravy)

Kartoffelkloesse (German potato dumplings)

Rotkohl (German red cabbage)

Dessert
KirschKuchen (Black forest cake)

We set our table with colors of the German flag; red, black and gold. Our décor included various instruments to honor their musical genius. We added a Christmas tree cookie cutter, as they are responsible for the Tannenbaum tradition. A soccer ball was included for Germany’s most recent win in the World Cup. (They have more soccer fan clubs than anywhere else in the world.) I wanted to showcase the Angela Merkel, Barbie doll, but I could not locate one. She is the first woman Chancellor of Germany and head of the European Union. Forbes lists her as one of the most powerful people on the planet. She has been very popular in her country however recently she faces huge opposition with yet another proposed Greek bailout on the table. Lastly, the German coat of arms rounded out our décor.

We ate continental style, which is customary there, as we listened to a variety of classical music. For the first course, we lifted our beer steins and toasted “prost” which means “cheers” in German. It is considered rude to drink before toasting and when you clink your glass you should raise your elbow to shoulder height. Our first course was the famous German pretzel. This thick, doughy pretzel, hot from the oven, sprinkled with coarse salt and dipped in mustard is perfect with a good German beer. By the way, you should cut your pretzel with your knife and eat it with your fork. It is rare to see people eating with their hands in Germany.

We brought out the main course and said “Guten Appetiit” which means “Enjoy your meal.” We savored the delicious roasted meat called sauerbraten. This meat is so unbelievably tender after being marinated for days and then cooked, low and slow. The result is a lovely roast with an awesome gravy to go with it. It was served with outstanding, potato dumplings that curiously are made with a homemade crouton inside. Although the crouton was also delicious, I wasn’t really sure why it was added to the dumpling. It was awesome by itself, especially dipped in the gravy from the sauerbraten. It is important to note, that when eating in Germany, you should only cut off one piece of meat at a time, and be sure to clean your plate. So you should only take what you think you will really eat.

For a side dish we served boiled, red cabbage. It was perfectly cooked, so that it still had a slight crunch to it and the flavor of apple, which was cooked with it, made a lovely combination.

For dessert, we feasted on black forest cake! This cake is nothing like the black forest cake you normally find at your local bakery. In other words, it is not made with a cherry pie filling. Traditionally the cake is made with a cherry brandy found in the Black Forest region. I made ours using Morello cherries, that are also from the region but do not include the alcohol. The result was a keeper; a moist and most delectable cake and the perfect way to end our German meal.

As we say goodbye to Germany, we do so with a better understanding of what the German people have endured. Sometimes it is said that Germans come across as unfriendly but that is furthest from the truth. They are simply up-front and hard-working people. Time is managed carefully and punctuality is very important. Perhaps that is why they have one of the largest economies in the world.

Until next week
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Bulgaria most likely got her name from a Turkic Verb meaning “to mix”. Ethnic Bulgarians attribute their ancestry to the melding of Bulgars, a central Asian Turkic people and Slavs, a central European group beginning in the seventh century. She gained independence from the Ottoman Empire March 3, 1878.

Located in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is bordered by Romania and the Danube to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the west and the Black Sea to the east. Having a temperate-continental climate, characteristic for Central Europe, with hot summers and long cold winters, Bulgaria has four distinct seasons.

Ethnic Bulgarians are the bulk of the population followed by Turks and Romas (Gypsies). The official language is Bulgarian which is closely related to Macedonian. Turks speak Turkish and the Gypsies speak Romany. Orthodoxy is the official religion of Bulgaria however the constitution guarantees the right to free exercise of religion. Eight-three percent are Orthodox Christians, twelve percent are Muslim and the balance is a mixture of Jews and others. The Bulgarian government (along with the backing of the Orthodox Church), was one of only two countries that saved their Jewish population from being sent to Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. (Denmark was the other).

Speaking of religion, one of the must see tourist attractions in Bulgaria is a UNESCO site, “The Rila Monastery”, founded in the tenth century by the hermit, St. Ivan Rita, is one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments. Aside from the beautiful frescos, it also houses the famous “Rila Cross”; a wooden cross with 140 microscopic scenes from the Bible featuring more than 1500 figures. The largest of these figures is no bigger than a grain of rice.

Bulgarians have a unique and fun tradition of welcoming spring. Baba Marta “Grandmother March” is celebrated on the first day of March when friends and loved ones exchange red and white adornment bracelets called Martenits. They symbolize health and longevity. They wear them throughout the month until they see a stork or a blooming tree. They then tie these little red and white adornments to the tree (the storks prefer not be adorned). My sister was visiting Bulgaria on a Danube river boat cruise last March and got to see this incredible display of colorful, blooming trees during this special springtime event.

Another highlight of Bulgaria is their incredible folk dancing. The men and women don traditional Bulgarian outfits and strike up the music with a vast array of instruments such as: a goat skin bag pipe, end-blown flutes, bowed string instruments, a long-necked lute, large drums, hourglass drums and accordions. The tempo is lively and the dancers line up and hold the sash or belt of their neighbor cross handed and move to the compound meter of the music, kicking and clacking their heels. It is quite an amazing show of talent, stamina and tradition.

Bulgaria also brought the world the Cyrillic alphabet, which today is used in Russia and throughout the Balkans and other Slavic nations. The Alphabet was invented by two monks during the First Bulgarian Empire.

Bulgaria’s climate is ideal for growing grapes, roses and much of their own food. The country is listed 20th in the world for wine production, producing some 200,000 tons a year. The old tradition of wine making in this region dates back all the way to the Thracians (Old Stone Age, 100,000 to 40,000 BC). The roses grown in “Rose Valley” produce ¾ of the world’s rose oil, used in perfumes. The national flower of Bulgaria is in fact the rose. One-third of Bulgaria’s land is forested, ranking third in Europe for bio-diversity. It is home to brown bears, wolves, the golden jackal, wild cats, common otters and many species of reptiles.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus is a bacteria used to make their unique tasting yogurt. Bulgarians love their yogurt and consume it by itself and in many of their dishes. Found naturally in the air only in Bulgaria, they export the bacteria to many other countries around the world. This particular bacteria gets credit for the large number of people in Bulgaria who have lived past the age of 100.

Bulgarian food is delicious, fresh and hearty. They grow quality vegetables and have many organic dairy products. They use mild spices allowing the natural flavors of the organic ingredients to shine. Pork and chicken are the most common forms of meat, although fish, beef, veal and lamb are also eaten. They have a strong culinary culture where cooking traditions have been passed on from generation to generation.

The Bulgarian cuisine is diverse with influences from other Balkan cuisines as well as Middle Eastern cuisines; India and Persia. The mix of cuisines began way back during the First Bulgarian Empire, when trading was prevalent with herbs and spices from these other lands. Bulgarians are famous for their one pot meals, cooking the meat first, low and slow in water and later adding in fresh vegetables and spices. These one pot meals are cooked in a clay pot called a gyuvetche. They also love Lyutenitsa, considered to be a national relish. It is a spicy mixture of mashed and cooked eggplant, tomato, garlic, hot peppers and parsley. They use a special cheese called Sirene, which is added to their famous Shopska salad, served as a starter to most meals. The cheese is similar to a feta. The end result of their cuisine is a hearty and delicious combination of flavors. As I planned our meal for Bulgaria, it was difficult to narrow down, as there were so many wonderful and delicious options.

So let’s eat Bulgarian style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Lyuti Chusnki (Roasted and marinated chili peppers)

Salad
Shopska Salad (Bulgaria’s most famous salad)

Main Course
Kavarma (Bulgarian slow cooked pork and vegetable stew)

Served with
Au Gratin A-la Bulgaria (Potatoes Au Gratin)

Dessert
Pecheni yabalkis med I orehi (Honey walnut baked apples)

The table was set using the country’s national colors; red, green and white. We decorated with roses, their national flower. We enjoyed the meal continental style which would be customary there.

We began our meal with the unbelievable roasted and marinated chili peppers served with slices of Lukanka (Bulgarian salami) we also had some yogurt on the side to cool the palate.

Next was the most refreshing Shopska salad, topped with feta. (I could not find sirene cheese locally, the feta was a fine substitute.) We loved this salad that was simply dressed with oil and vinegar.

Next up was the main course, Kavarma. This slow cooked pork stew was awesome, tender and beautifully flavored with fresh vegetables; onion, leek, mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes and pepper, then just lightly seasoned with cumin, oregano and bay leaves. This was served alongside Bulgarian potatoes au-gratin, which were also delicious and went great with the stew. A baguette was added to the table to sop up that amazingly flavored stew gravy.

For dessert, apples baked to perfection, stuffed with walnuts and raisins that had soaked in brandy, created a wonderful combination of flavors. In the middle of the cored apple, I placed a little note wrapped in foil which said” Leko nosht I sladki sanishta” which means “Good night and sweet dreams.” This is a tradition of many Bulgarian cooks, especially around the holidays, to add a coin, a lucky charm or a note of good fortune and hide it in their desserts.

We enjoyed the meal with a lovely Bulgarian red cabernet sauvignon called Sparticus. We ended the meal with a toast of Rakia, Bulgaria’s national drink; a fruit brandy popular all over the Balkans. We lifted our glasses and toasted “Nazdrave”, meaning cheers. When I asked my husband if he loved the meal, he shook his head from side to side. Come to find out, in Bulgaria, Yes means No and No means Yes, by the shake or nod of the head, (he is so smart!) His shaking of the head meant he absolutely loved the meal, as did I.
Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene