Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

Finnish Christmas Food – Part Two

December 23, 2010 by Helena Halme 3 Comments

I had a productive day yesterday. As well as the Lax below, I managed to make meatballs, according to my Grandmother’s old recipe, combining minced beef, white fresh breadcrumbs, double cream, an egg, finely chopped onions (sweated in butter) and generous amounts of salt and black pepper. These are then fried, again in butter, ready to be reheated on the big day. (Finnish Christmas is not for those on any kind of a diet.)

I never seem to get my meatballs to turn out as round and pretty as my Grandmother’s, but the taste is the same.

I also managed to soak the ham in water last night. Whatever the butcher tells me, I always soak it for eight to twenty-four hours, otherwise it’s too salty. The ham is the main attraction of the Christmas Eve feast, so it needs to be perfect. I will cook it slowly in the oven later today, and when hot, I’ll remove the skin and glaze it with a mixture of egg yolk, French mustard (I have no Linnan Sinappi) and top with white breadcrumbs, trying not to burn the glaze under the grill. The Swedes use the cooking of the ham on the 23rd of December as an excuse for a pre-Christmas party, Doppingfest, when guests – often the neighbours – are invited to taste the ham juices by dipping some bread into it, and washing it all down with vodka or beer. I know, I know it all sounds very unhealthy, but Christmas only comes around only once a year.

The uncooked ham doesn’t look particularly attractive, but just wait…

As I was on a roll last night, I also decided to make a prune compote for the ‘Stars’ – Joulutähti – in Finnish. These are pastries made with all-butter puff pastry, and a little like Danish pastries they are filled with prunes cooked with water and sugar. In Finland you can buy this stuff, like mincemeat, in supermarkets, but I make it since this is one of the Finnish Christmas ingredients that I cannot get anywhere in the UK. This year I added a sliced vanilla pod to the mixture, just to see how that tastes. Sometimes I add brandy or home-made sloe vodka when the mixture has cooled.

Finally I made the dough for gingerbread cookies – Piparkakut – which needs to rest in the fridge for a while, or overnight. I’ll let you have this recipe, as it is a combination of several I’ve seen and turned out really well this year.

170 ml granulated sugar
250 ml dark brown muscavado sugar
250 ml golden syrup
275 grammes butter, melted but not hot
1.5 tbls each of cinnamon, ground ginger, grated nutmeg and mixed spice
finely grated rind of an orange and the juice of the same
1.8 litres plain flour
1 tbls bicarbonate of soda
287 ml of double cream slightly whipped

Combine the sugars, syrup, butter and spices and mix well.
Mix bicarbonate of soda with half of the flour and add to the mixture. Add as much of the rest of the flour as you need until the dough resembles very fine breadcrumbs. Now add the whipped cream. If the dough is too wet at this stage add more flour. Wrap the dough in some baking parchment and place in the fridge until you want to make the cookies.

It should look something like this:

You can also freeze the dough and use it later in the year or even next Christmas

I will post more pictures of the finished cookies and pastries later today, as well as the definitive Christmas Eve Menu ala Helena Halme.

You may also like:

Default ThumbnailFinland in a bun Default ThumbnailA New Finnish Cookbook, Kuura, plus an Exclusive Recipe Default ThumbnailNew Year’s Day Supper: Lobster and Prawn Chowder Five books for Mother’s Day

Comments

  1. Christina @ Fashion's Most Wanted says

    December 26, 2010 at 6:54 pm

    Dear Helena, those meatballs look delicious! I love anything fried in butter. I think we should eat what we like at Christmas and go back to being healthy (ish) afterwards.

    Thank you for all your support this year and have a fabulous Christmas, love Christina xx

    Reply
  2. Metropolitan Mum says

    December 26, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    Wow, you seem so organised, much more organised than me! I am always missing one thing. This year I managed to get hold of bluecheese spread, but didn't have any Pepparkakor. 🙁
    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

    Reply
  3. nerines says

    December 26, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    Merry Christmas!!xoxoxo

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

Read an Exclusive First Chapter

NEW

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Follow me on Instagram

Have you read my military romance, The English Hea Have you read my military romance, The English Heart, which is based on a true story of how I met & fell head over heels with my Englishman? 
🇬🇧⚓️🥰
Finland 1980. A newly qualified navy officer looking for adventure. A student with her life planned out. When they meet sparks fly, but how can they plan a future together when their countries are on the opposing sides of the Cold War?
😰💔📘
The English Heart is now free to download from all the usual ebook stores, but hurry this offer ends 15th of this month. 
Go here to read this “exceptional” novel today 
👉 books2read.com/TheEnglishHeart
(Link also in bio)
Lovely lunch @eat17restaurant with this lot. 
❤️🥰🥗
#familytime #bankholidaymonday #walthamstow #northeastlondon #eastlondon #londonlife
Best oat latte in town. ☕️❤️ #coffeetime Best oat latte in town. ☕️❤️

#coffeetime #coffeeshop #writersofinstagram #sundayvibes #londonlife #takingiteasy
London is in bloom! These are just the roses I spo London is in bloom! These are just the roses I spotted on my way to the shops this morning. 🌹🌺❤️
Load More Follow on Instagram

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

writing and publishing tips

Read Exclusive First Chapter

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in