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| Brunede Kartofler |
Food Diary (December 23, 2011)
Breakfast: Sourdough toast
Lunch: Brunede Kartofler with
peas
Dinner: Fried rice, toast
Baking/sweets: Chocolates
Christmas season is the time to indulge
in sugar, fat, alcohol and other goodies, guilt free. And this is where brunede kartofler can really help you in your
mission. Brunede kartofler or Danish caramelised potatoes brings
sugar and fat to your main dish even before you start with desserts. Brunede kartofler occupies
an important
place as a side dish on the Danish Christmas table.
Trust the Danes to do miracles
with butter. Danish butter cookies and Lurpak butter is available in so many
countries worldwide. It is no surprise that the Danes have come up with this
dish, and I am surprised that it is not so widely known. When I first heard about
it I knew I had to try it, and after trying it, I know I will try it again. Caramelised
potatoes may not sound appealing but it is actually delicious. It is not sickly sweet even though it is called
caramelised potatoes. The recipe is available here if you are brave
enough to try it.
By the way, I should mention
that the real brunede kartofler looks a
bit different from the photo above. It should have more caramel, with the
potato completely covered and glistening with joy. Mine unintentionally became
a diet version, and I really mean unintentionally. I wouldn't skimp on butter and sugar, not this time of the year.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy new year.
Today's Favourite Photo
Christmas Pudding Cookies
Today’s Favourite Blog
A selection of strange Christmas traditions from around the
world:
Japan: Christmas lunch is all about KFC - Kentucky
Fried Christmas. It began 40 years ago when a KFC employee noticed foreigners
queuing up for KFC because they couldn’t find chicken or turkey anywhere else. KFC
launched a Christmas party barrel and a new tradition was born. It’s so popular
stores often sell out and customers place orders two months in advance. I am guessing many Americans avoid KFC during Christmas, and strangely its the complete opposite in Japan.
Iraq: For Iraqi
Christians, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a family or community gathering,
where children read the nativity while everyone else stands around holding
candles. Afterwards, a bonfire is lit and songs sung. If the fire burns to
ashes, it’s a sign of a good year ahead, and everyone jumps over the ashes
three times to make a wish.
New York: SantaCon is an excuse for hordes of adults to
dress up in Santa outfits and hit the streets, singing songs, enjoying a drink
or three and generally spreading good cheer. It’s huge in NYC, where Santas
ride the subway, fill the bars and run amok in a city-wide party, but the joy
has spread worldwide, with events taking place as far away as Beijing.
England: Jumping into freezing cold water for a bracing
post-Christmas Day dip might sound insane, but it happens surprisingly often in
the Northern Hemisphere. One of the biggest events is in Sunderland, England,
where 1000 people turn up in fancy dress to plunge into the grey North Sea. I have tried this in New Zealand, not for Christmas when its summer but for a fund raising event in the middle of the year. Its a good experience.
Finland: A family Christmas has a whole new twist in
Finland - everyone gets naked and jumps in the sauna. The Finns see saunas as
the ideal way to cleanse oneself ready for the New Year. Some people throw beer
on the stove to encourage a good harvest, while others enjoy a refreshing
post-sauna roll around in the snow outside.
Slovakia: many
traditions revolve around the Christmas Eve meal. Carp is usually at the heart
of it, while poppy seeds feature in abundance because they’re thought to be
lucky. Some people throw walnuts into the corners of every room for good luck,
while perhaps the most unusual tradition is throwing food up to the ceiling -
the more that sticks, the better your crops will be next year. No chance of cookies heading to the ceiling.
Greenland: The bird that graces Christmas dinner in Greenland
is the humble auk. But instead of a plump, succulent fowl roasted lovingly in
the oven until it’s crisp and golden, think more small seabird wrapped in
sealskin and buried under a rock for several months. It’s then dug up and its
raw, suitably decomposed flesh devoured as is. Apparently kiviak, as it is
known, tastes like a very mature cheese.
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Thank you for finding this interesting article. I think the Japanese KFC tradition is the most surprising. Since I love KFC chicken and haven't had it for years, I wouldn't mind some hot wings on my Christmas table :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat is rare is considered delicacy and KFC has become very rare in my life :-)
Your potatoes look excellent. I must try the Danish recipe one day too!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sissi: I also found the Japanese tradition most surprising. And same in my life, KFC is rare and I really want some. Its been a while since I had it last.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family and all the best for 2012, I hope all your dreams and wishes come true. And looking forward to reading your great posts and recipes
Hey! You've gone missing again! And I just noticed myself here :D Thank you! Best Christmas present of the year! It's a Happy Christmas indeed! Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteKFC for Christmas!? Nooo thank you. That's my I-have-no-choice-coz-I-can't-think-of-anything-else-to-eat-and-too-lazy-to-cook fall back.
We made these Danish potatoes for last year's Christmas and this year we were lucky enough to have these at a dinner party at a Danish friend's house. They're delicious! :D
ReplyDeleteping: you are most welcome. Don't thank me, you are the creative one:) OK, point taken, KFC won't be making an appearance on your Xmas or any special occasion menu!
ReplyDeleteLorraine: 2 years in a row.