I love Christmas celebrations. Christmas is about family, friends, love, spirituality and food. It’s the time to show people you love that you care about them and so I’m always early in my preparations. It’s such an enjoyable time to plan meals, decorations and gifts for my loved ones.
I have spent many Christmases in Sweden. In Sweden, Christmas has many strong 
traditions attached to their celebrations. Actually their Christmas festivities starts on the 13th of December by celebrating St Lucia and then it carries on to the 13th of January. If you have never experienced that you’d think one would get tired of it but the Swedes knows how to keep the Christmas vibe going for a whole month.
The decorations, food, presents and family gatherings are planned well in advance for a memorable experience. Swedish homes are filled with flavours of pine tree, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, chocolate, ginger, oranges and glogg.
Glogg is a drink that is only consumed during this time of the year. It’s a spicy red wine that can also be non-alcoholic which is served hot with raisins and almonds. Have a look at the bottom of this blog post, I’ve given you my favourite Glogg recipe.
Christmas Eve is actually the main celebration day in Sweden. The presents that have been lying under the Christmas tree for a while, are opened on this day. Usually a chosen family member sneaks out and comes back dressed out as Santa Claus, carrying a sack full of presents which he hands out to the children and adults. This is also the day that the main meal is served. Dishes on the so called julbord includes cold meats, turkey, meat balls, raw spiced and smoked salmon, Christmas ham, cheeses, pates, salads, pickled fish and various types of bread and butter. The deserts are usually a vast selection of chocolate, fudge, rice pudding, various nuts, fruits and drinks. Life during this long festive in Sweden is, as you can understand, is totally delicious.
So with this blog I want to inspire you to celebrate your festive period like the Swedes. I start preparing my menu of home cooked delicacies. Cooking for Christmas is all about preparing delicious food that allows me to have time to be a relaxed host. I serve simple comfort food that doesn’t need watching. When I do these Christmas preparations in time my celebration is just pure pleasure! Kids love Christmas so it’s great getting them involved in the planning of decor, food, present shopping, all in the spirit of togetherness and joy. To find Christmas decorations it is always fun to look around the various Christmas markets. Or check out Hazellwood who have a selection of glass tree ornaments and crochet decorations.
Of course I don’t forget the very core of these celebrations; though I’m not a regular church goer but I still bring spirituality and peace to my home. I always enjoy listening to Christmas- and Spiritual songs. Some of my favourite music for this holiday are ”Precious Lord take my hand” with Elvis Presley and ”Misa Criolla” by Ariel Ramirez. In Sweden it is a tradition to go to church very early on Christmas day to experience a beautiful atmosphere of peace and togetherness.
Look out for simple but delicious Swedish inspired Christmas recipes on my blog. Here to get you into the Christmas spirit is my Glogg Recipe.
GLÖGG (GLOGG) Recipe
Serves 10 cappuccino cups
150ml vodka
2 cinnamon sticks
15 whole cloves
8 whole green cardamom pods
3 piece dried ginger (2 cm each)
2 pieces of dried orange peel (1/4 of orange peel)
60g raisins
1/2 cup sugar
1 bottle of redwine
Garnish
Blanched and peeled almonds
Raisins
Put cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, orange peel and raisins in a jam bottle. Add 150ml vodka. Close the bottle tight and let infuse for 4 days in the fridge. Shake the bottle now and then.
Pour the vodka and spices into a saucepan and add the wine and sugar. Stir and heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 80ºC (175ºF).
Let glogg cool and then sieve, to remove the spices. Pour into a sterilised bottle and keep in the fridge, until required. The glogg can now be stored in the fridge for several weeks.
When you expect guests you warm the amount needed on very low heat, it should not boil.
Pour into cappuccino cups or small glasses with a couple of almonds and raisins in the bottom of each glass.
Tips: Replace the vodka and the red wine with a non-acoholic wine for children and those who prefere non-alcoholic drinks.
Look for your ingredients now, so you have time to dry your own orange peel and ginger.
- Ednah Rosen: What Inspires her Christmas Celebrations. - 05/12/2017
- About The Dress: Ednah’s Unexpected Moments - 30/10/2017
