Traditional and modern Scandinavian and Nordic recipes.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Black Cherry Strawberry Smoothie


I like to use certain Scandinavian ingredients when I make my smoothies.  Here is an easy smoothie recipe that is delicious to have anytime of the year. Black cherries and strawberries are delicious classic summer berries. Both berries brings back many happy summer time memories.   If you can't get either fresh fruit during the winter, I usually go to the frozen section of the supermarket.  That way I can have this delicious smoothie anytime of the year.

I love to use Icelandic yogurt for my smoothies.  The Icelandic yogurt tastes so fresh and creamy.  I love the consistency of the Icelandic yogurt too.

I am adding the black cherry preserves as a sweetener with this smoothie recipe too.  Black cherry preserves gives a nice kick.  If you prefer to use sugar or another sweetener that is fine too.  But, the black cherry preserves gives a richer taste to the smoothie. 

Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons of black cherry preserves
  • 1 cup of frozen dark cherries
  • 2 cups of fresh strawberries 
  • 1 container of regular or vanilla Icelandic yogurt
  • ice cubes(optional)
  • mint leaves or lemon balm (optional garnish)
  • whipped cream (optional)
Kitchen Utensils
  • measuring cup
  • teaspoon
  • blender  
  • bowl
  • 2 to 3 drinking glasses

Directions
1, Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 
2. If the blender has room, add some ice. Blend it all
2. Pour into 2 to 3 drinking glasses, add some whipped cream and garnish with mint leaves.

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These recipes are perfect for the holiday season. Please let us know what you think! Glædelig Jul and Merry Christmas♥ ! Our Scandinavian recipes including Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish are on http://scandinavtoday.blogspot.com/ Follow us either on Twitter @scandinavtoday, Blogger, Google+, Google Pages, Pinterest and Subscribe to our YouTube Chanel Scandinavian Today!  Let's get cooking Scandinavian foods!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Danish Pancake (pandekage) with Nutella and Bananas

Danish pancakes traditionally are eaten with either sugar or jam. In the last few years, my family has started to eat Danish pancakes with nutella with bananas.  YUM!



 It is very simple to make this yet it tastes sooo good.  First check out our recipe on How to Make Classic Danish Pancakes Once you have made several large Danish pancakes spread a thin or better yet thick layer of the chocolate hazelnut spread onto your Danish pancake.  Be sure the Nutella has not been in the refrigerator for at least a few minutes.  Otherwise, it will be really hard to scoop a large spoonful of Nutella.

Then slice bananas down the center. Here are some other great choices to fill inside the Danish pancake too!
  • fresh strawberries
  • fresh red raspberries
  • apple slices
  • kiwi slices
 Roll or fold the Danish pancake (pandekage).  If you want to jazz up the Danish pancake you can either
  • sprinkle powder sugar or 
  • dust on cinnamon 
  • drizzle chocolate syrup or Nutella over the pancake
  • sprinkle nuts 
Then, just before serving top with whipped cream. Can't get any better.  Enjoy! 

Our YouTube channel has videos including
These recipes are perfect for the holiday season. Please let us know what you think! Glædelig Jul and Merry Christmas♥ ! Our Scandinavian recipes including Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish are on http://scandinavtoday.blogspot.com/ Follow us either on Twitter @scandinavtoday, Blogger, Google+, Google Pages, Pinterest and Subscribe to our YouTube Chanel Scandinavian Today!  Let's get cooking Scandinavian foods!

Monday, July 22, 2013

How To Make Rhubarb Syrup For Your Summer Drinks and Cocktails

Rhubarb is a classic Scandinavian fruit served during the summer season.  What I love about Rhubarb Syrup is that you can make it for your cocktails, ice tea and even make rhubarb ice cubes.  It a fabulous syrup to make the night before you have a pool party.   That way when your guest arrive for your pool party or Sunday brunch, all you have to do is combine the ingredients.  No worries making it the day of a party!





This recipe is just to make ice cubes and should make about 2 cups of rhubarb syrup. If you need more liquid, you can add more water.  If you like the syrup to be less sweet, use less sugar. 


Ingredients

For the Rhubarb Syrup
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cup of chopped ruby red rhubarb (about 5 stalks rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch thick)
  • 1 cups water
  • 1 cup of sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla 
  • cinnamon stick (optional)
Kitchen Tools
  • large sauce pot with lid
  • mesh strainer (- a colander with big holes won’t work!) 
  • Spoon  
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • measuring cup
Instructions

First Step: Make the Syrup

  1. Clean the ruby red rhubarb under cold running water, cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Keep slicing until you get 1 cups of sliced rhubarb.
  2. To make the rhubarb syrup, combine chopped rhubarb, water, and sugar in a heavy-bottomed pot.
  3. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until rhubarb has broken into shreds. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the syrup.  If it gets too hot, turn the temp down a little more.
  4. Let rhubarb cool for a few minutes before straining. 
  5. Then, strain the syrup using a mesh colander.  A colander with big holes won't work because alot of the rhubarb pieces might fall into the syrup.  A cheesecloth is another helpful way to strain the syrup too.  Otherwise, you might have to strain it a couple of times.  I don’t mind the yummy rhubarb that might go through into the syrup but to get a clear syrup that is what you might want to do. 
  6. Move the solids with a spoon around to extract more syrup. Just don't press the rhubarb mush because it might get into the syrup.
  7. Allow to cool so more. Set the syrup aside in the refrigerator 
If you want to make ice cubes, pour the rhubarb syrup into an ice cube tray.  Wait until the rhubarb ice cubes are frozen.  When you are ready to serve to your guests, serve with a sprig of mint in a glass with clear soda.  Garnish with a slice of lemon on the rim of the clear glass.  It is really pretty to see the rhubarb ice cubes dissolve in the clear glass.

Other fun ideas
  •  Drizzle rhubarb syrup over plain or vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice cream. 
  • Rhubarb Syrup is great for ice tea.
  • Top Icelandic yogurt with the rhubarb mush.
  • The rhubarb mush or solids make a nice quick jam.  It's great on toast!
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These recipes are perfect for the holiday season. Please let us know what you think! Glædelig Jul and Merry Christmas♥ ! Our Scandinavian recipes including Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish are on http://scandinavtoday.blogspot.com/ Follow us either on Twitter @scandinavtoday, Blogger, Google+, Google Pages, Pinterest and Subscribe to our YouTube Chanel Scandinavian Today!  Let's get cooking Scandinavian foods!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Rhubarb Strawberry Smoothie! A Great Summer Drink With Typical Scandinavian Flavors

Smoothies are great! So fast to make and delicious healthy ingredients.  One of my favorite smoothies is a Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie.  If you have never had a strawberry and a rhubarb combination, you might be pleasantly surprised how good this smoothie tastes!

 Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh chopped rhubarb cut up (or use frozen)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries(or use frozen)
  • 1 cup of  Icelandic yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar, honey or agave nectar  
  •  1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Kitchen Utensils
  • cutting board
  • kitchen knife
  • measuring cup
  • mixing spoon
  • blender   
In blender, place all ingredients. Cover; blend with on-and-off pulses until pureed. Pour into 2 drinking glasses. Serve immediately. 

If you have your own favorite yogurt it will work great too!

An alternative fruit is to substitute raspberries for the strawberries. 

A bowl of summer strawberries for your smoothie!
In the winter time, this smoothie is great with frozen strawberries and frozen rhubarb. This makes a frothier smoothie.

In the summertime, sometimes I like to add a couple of ice to this delicious smoothie too!

Our channel has videos including
These recipes are perfect for the holiday season. Please let us know what you think! Glædelig Jul and Merry Christmas♥ ! Our Scandinavian recipes including Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish are on http://scandinavtoday.blogspot.com/ Follow us either on Twitter @scandinavtoday, Blogger, Google+, Google Pages, Pinterest and Subscribe to our YouTube Chanel Scandinavian Today!  Let's get cooking Scandinavian foods!