With Nigella Lawson professing her love for this book – and she does enjoy a good Christmas shindig – it seemed like a sensible place to look for Advent treats
With so many Scandinavian imports popping up in London over the past months, Scandi-chic is very much on the up. As is Scandi-grub and we’re talking about much more than just Ikea meatballs and gravlax.
Trine Hahnemann and Signe Johansen are leading the way with their cookbooks and this week we are looking at Hahnemann’s very festive Scandinavian Christmas. With Nigella Lawson professing her love for this book – and she does enjoy a good Christmas shindig – it seemed like a sensible place to look for Advent treats.
Suitably full of red, white and beautiful pictures of snow-frosted chairs, children and trees, it is unmistakably a Christmas book, but that said many of the recipes are just good Scandinavian staples – like dark rye bread and cured salmon – that could be used at any time of year.
The book is split up into helpful sections – so Christmas Party, Festive Brunch and the ever so useful Gifts from the Kitchen. Each of the sections is prefaced by a little note on the traditions and more personal thoughts and experiences from Hahnemann herself. The recipes themselves are all pretty straightforward, clearly explained and with easily sourced ingredients.
This is a very cute book that serves its purpose well. Don’t expect Noma-style food here but rather home-cooking to be done for and with the whole family. There is something really rather charming about that, if you ask me.
To celebrate the launch of the book, Trine Hahnemann has given Spear’s some of her recipes for you to enjoy: beetroot-horseradish cured salmon and Christmas cookies.
SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS by TRINE HAHNEMANN is published by Quadrille (£16.99, hardback)
Photos © LARS RANEK
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