Saturday, December 19, 2020

Great Gramma's Finsk Brod: Adapting Old World Recipes

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Butter the size of an EGG?*!*!

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My mother was never a baker, her expertise was no bake cookies, basically syrup, marshmallows and some sort of cereal. But, my extended family relied on the old world baking of my Grandmother with her vague, old, hand-written in Danish, recipes from Frederickshavn, Denmark.

During the holidays, her kitchen always smelled of butter, vanilla  and cinnamon. 


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Infinite butter cookies were washed down with dark rich coffee, sweet cherry wine, or rich Droste old fashioned cocoa in milk. Not a marshmallow in sight.

I have many old hand-written baking recipe's in Danish with obscure measurements such as 'butter the size of an Egg', Fars cup of sugar..versus Mors cup of sugar??? (Father's cup and Mother's cup),  scrape a vanilla bean soaked in vodka, and many more oddities, not too mention litres, millilitres, etc.

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I was fortunate to have helped my Gramma bake at Christmas time. I often spent days at her house while my mom worked extra in the family's Fish Market. 
Christmas was always their busiest time of the year. So many cultures use fresh fish and shellfish, imported cheeses. and delicacies in their traditional Old World holiday dinners.

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Today, Gramma would be 122 years old, so now I'm Gramma and I often bake for gifts. What could be better than real Danish Poundcake? It took me quite a few years to get the balance right on this old recipe.
Tip: Don't use extra large eggs or the dough will be too heavy and not rise.

Recipe Here: 
Grandmother's Pound Cake


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Now the kitchen smells like Christmas! 

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Also excellent in the summer with strawberries on it 
and fresh whipped cream! 

I ran across an old family recipe for Finsk Brod, basically meaning Finnish Bread--a short bread cookie from my aunt, who had tried to duplicate the Danish cookies we were all so fond of. 

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I always use a recipe as written first, and then try and tweak it to what I remember it really tasting like.

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Suprisingly without leavening these still puff up.

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The rich dough is rolled into finger size pieces, then dipped in beaten egg. 

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 The recipe said to roll in chopped almonds and a bit of sugar. (The problem with this is the sugar burns on the bottom...so next time, we will sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon on top) after rolling the 'logs' in almonds.

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The almonds are chopped a bit fine!

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The taste is definitely right...texture is perfect...the toasted almonds divine... the cinnamon just like Morsmor! (Mother's mother)

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And warm, we could hardly resist gobbling them down.

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Oh, my goodness...total deliciousness! 

Danish Recipe for Finsk Brod- makes 75

1 cup of unsalted butter room temp
1/2 cup of sugar
Beat until thoroughly combined with mixer
add 1 tsp. clear pure vanilla extract

 2 cups of sifted(several times) unbleached flour with pinch of salt (or use salted butter)

Add a little at a time, I use a dough hook on my mixer and keep it going until it all the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Lightly knead the dough on a bread board. Take 1/4 of the very soft dough, quickly roll into long 1/2 " rolls cut 1-1/2" long pieces. 
Dip pieces in beaten egg 
and roll in fine chopped blanched almonds.

Place on parchment paper covered cookie sheets, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 min. 
Watch carefully. Remove the cookies on the parchment from the trays to cool immediately.
Store in air tight container in a cool place.

 
Have a Happy Holiday Season.
and 
GLADELIGE JUL

Other Danish posts:





PLEASE -Do not use my photos without my permission and linking back to this post on my blog.


Thank you for your cooperation, 
Sandi 











Friday, December 18, 2020

Tis the Season: Sing Along!

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'Tis the season....sing along!'


Haul out the holly


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Put up the tree before my spirit falls again


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Fill up the stockings

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I may be rushing things but deck the halls again 

Now

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For we need a little Christmas right this very minute

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Candles in the window, carols at the spinet

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Hasn't snowed a flurry,


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But Santa dear we are in a hurry,
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Climb down the chimney, turn on the
 brightest string of lights I've ever seen

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Slice up the fruitcake
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It's time we've hung some tinsel on the evergreen bough
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For we need a little music, 
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need a little laughter,

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Need a little singing 

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ringing through the rafter


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And we need a little snappy, 

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happy ever after


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We need a little Christmas


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Christmas, now!

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We need a little 

Christmas, 

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now!
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And we need a little snappy, happy ever after

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We need a little Christmas now!
music: Cast of Glee 
song by Jerry Herman

What holiday song has wormed into your brain???
LOL

Our decorating has been a little haphazard this year. Each item placed made us smile, or evoked a holiday memory or tradition. 
Our home without company will be strange, but we are healthy and have comfort in our small home and knowing our loved ones are staying home and safe also!
Merry Christmas
 and STAY SAFE!  
Do not use my photos without my permission and linking back to this post on my blog.

JOIN ME AT THESE GREAT PARTIES:


Thank you for your cooperation, 
Sandi 


 



























Saturday, December 12, 2020

Tree Lighting and Food Drive:I'll be Home for Christmas

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I still do my dolls on my other blog,  but as this display part of my holiday decor now, I thought I would include them here. If you click on my photos--they will send you to barbieoldnewgreenredo.blogspot.com/

But, please enjoy!~ Something Fun!

Tree Lighting and Food Drive

This is Tereeza for Channel 7 Noon News in Chicago. I'm in the Northside Community Park, where tonight there will be a Tree Lighting and Food Drive.

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Hopefully the rainy weather won't keep the neighborhood families from coming out for the lighting this beautiful tree and donating to the 
food drive.

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There, they are testing the lights. This should be a great event, signing off and see you at 8pm, LIVE on Channel 7 tonight for this tree lighting. 

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It's Dusk and the Park is almost ready for the Event. 


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Tereeza: Alderman Derek, how nice to see you here at the Food Drive and Tree lighting.

Alderman: Thank you Tereeza, I'm here with Monica who is chairwoman for the Food Drive and this event.
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Monica: Yes, the neighborhood is trying to help any way we can. All the food collected tonight will be taken to the Food Bank over at St. John's to be distributed to those in need. We have so many right now! 


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Tereeza: Well, you have a great crowd here tonight and your bins are almost full. Can people bring food in still tonight.

Monica: The bins for non-perishable food items will be placed at neighborhood shops for the duration of the holiday season---the need is so large this year. And, we thank everyone for opening their hearts and pantries for those in need.

Thanks so much, Monica and Alderman Derek. Next, we have Colette Deveraux who will be leading the sing-along after the Tree is lit.


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Tereeza: Miss Deveraux, how are you involved with this event. 

Colette/Callie: Well, Tereeza, Colette Deveraux was my stage name in France, but I'm Callie Devers from Joliet, and I'm so glad to be home here in Illinois. I live across the street from this park in the Grand View, and really wanted to join with the community for this event.

Tereeza: Well, what will you be singing tonight for us after the tree is lit?

Callie: "I'll be Home for Christmas, if only in my dreams" by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, 1943.

Tereeza: Thanks, I really love that one. 
(Turns to the CROWD gathered 
 ARE We READY! 

10....5...4...3..2...1....!  
 
LIGHTS GO ON!!!

Oooh...Ahhh...Beautiful background Music starts....


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The TREE IS LIT!
And now Miss Callie Devers singing "I'll be home for Christmas."

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Callie: I'll be Home... for Christmas....

You can plan on me.....

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Please have snow...and mistletoe and presents by the tree...

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Christmas Eve will find me....

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Where the love light gleams....
I'll be home for Christmas.....

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If only....in....myyyyyy....dreams.

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Christmas Eve...will find me....

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Where the love light gleams...

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I'll be home...

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For Christmas....

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If only ....

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In my .....

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Dreams......

Applause....

Callie: Let's all sing along, everyone knows Jingle Bells... 

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Dashing through the snow....

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In a one horse open sleigh, oe'r the fields we go....laughing all the way...

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Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright...

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Oh what fun it is to ride in a sleighbell ride tonight...
OOOOOOH..... Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells..
Jingle all the way....


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Tereeza: This is Tereeza from Channel 7 Evening News signing off from Northside Neighborhood Park, tree lighting and food drive. Wishing you all jingle bells and Happy Holidays.

I hope you are home safe and enjoying your holidays!
Wear your masks, social distance and please stay at home, alone! 
Hugs, Sandi 

I'll  be happy to answer any questions or inquiries from your comments, or email me through Blogger!