Aquavit
December 9, 2014
“Mock Aquavit” by Andreas Viestad 2014
Fylgia #119 Norcal scandi.
try playing with spices to get that OP Anderson taste for a Julbord
- 2 tsp caraway seeds
- 1 TB coriander seeds
- 2 tsp dill seeds
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 star anise
- 1 whole clove
- 2 tsp cumin seeds (optional)
- 1 750 ml /liter bottle potato or other good vodka
Open the vodka bottle, add all the remaining ingredients and cover tightly (Note: option to warm all the spices in a dry frying pan until they begin to release their essence)
Let stand in a cool, dark place for 1 to 2 weeks, gently shake every 2 or 3 days. How long you let it sit depends on how strong you want it, so taste it after 7 days to see if you want to let it go longer. Strain the solids through a sieve and discard them, then transfer the aquavit back into the bottle. If it becomes too strong, you can dilute it with a little plain Absolut or other vodka. (optional- add dash Marsala wine)
You can add a little orange or lemon rind. A little goes a long way.
To serve: place your aquavit in the freezer until chilled.
Baked Ham
March 4, 2012
Ham can be served, Easter, Christmas, anytime. This one was a precooked, spiral cut (Niman Ranch) ham.
- Warm in oven, tightly wrapped in foil for an hour (350°)
- Turn up heat to 400°, mix a mustard glaze. Glaze the ham, bake 1/2 hour without foil, at 400°.
- Either serve on a cutting board or slice and serve on a platter. Decorate around edge of serving bord/platter with parsley & red apples sliced (Julbord).
Mustard Bread crumb glaze: mix egg white, mustard & sugar and brush onto ham. Sprinkle with Bread crumbs.
- 1 egg white whipped
- 1 TB mustard powder
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 C bread crumbs (panko)
Roasted Pork Spareribs
February 29, 2012
- 5 LBs spareribs, bones cracked (short) or [4 sides of ribs, cut in half]
- 1 1/2 TB kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 tsp ginger (or powdered mustard)
- 2 C bouillon (or 1 can consumé & 1 can water)
- 20 prunes, halved
Trim meat, dry, rub with mixed seasonings. Brown in cast iron Dutch oven on both sides.
Add bouillon, heat to simmer. Remove from heat, cover and bake in oven 350° for 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Baste occasionally.
Strain pan juices, remove fat. Serve separately.
Jansson’s Janson’s Frestelse
January 2, 2012
Holidays in our house mean it’s time for “Jansson’s temptation”. Enjoy! (note, 2 recipes listed here)
svgs 4-6
Preheat oven 350°F
- 7 medium boiling potatoes (ex: Yukon Gold), peeled, cut into 2-inch strips 1/4″ thin. Put into cold water to keep from discoloring.
- 2 onions, thinly sliced, sautéed in 2 TB butter 10 minutes until soft. Do not brown.
- 1 can/flat anchovy-style sprats fillets (herring), drained. Save the juice.
- white pepper to taste.
- 2 TB bread crumbs (preferably Panko).
- 2 TB butter, not melted.
- 1 C heavy cream, whipping cream or half-and-half.
- 5 large potatoes – peel, slice into narrow fries
- 1 med onion – slice thin
- 2 cans Swedish anchovy sil
- 1 C whipped cream
- butter
- 4 TB soy sauce
- bread crumbs
- Saute sliced onion in butter, add soy sauce and remove from heat to cool.
- Put half of sliced potatoes into bottom of buttered baking dish. Add all of onions, anchovies, top with rest of potatoes plus juice from cans of anchovies.
- Top with dabs of butter, add half of cream.
- Bake 350° for 20 minutes then add remainder of cream. Continue baking uncovered until golden brown 20-25 minutes more)
Swedish Cucumber Salad
January 1, 2012
Traditionally served with salmon, meatballs, potatoes, either for special occasions like a Julbord, or in everyday smorgåsbords.
- 3 large English cucumbers (1 1/2 lbs)
- 1 TB salt
- 1/2 cup white vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 2 TB sugar
- 1/8 tsp white pepper
- 2 TB chopped fresh dill
Directions:
Slice cucumbers using a 1 mm slicing disc on food processor or slicing blade of cheese slicer. Sprinkle salt over slices, press with plate to remove excess moisture (about 1 or 2 hrs). Drain off liquid, pat cucumbers dry. Mix vinegar, sugar, white pepper and pour over cucumbers, sprinkle with chopped dill (you may add more sugar if you want it sweeter). Refrigerate for 2 hours, pour off liquid and serve!
Olsson Recipes 