Spicy tuna and maple apple granola

This week has been about food. Most weeks are I guess, but this one in particular. Food and an Indian summer. Indian summers don't happen often in Stockholm, so we've got to savour it for the short while it's here or ... ooops there it goes....

Let's get back to the food bit. From playing kubb barefoot on the softest grass imaginable in an apple orchard to making maple apple granola in my very own kitchen - it's all about kicking off fall the right way. Just remember to put a timer on the granola. No one likes burnt granola. (Thankfully I was able to salvage most of it.)

While we're on the subject of making things in the kitchen, I also discovered the easiest, healthiest "ice cream" imaginable (thanks MS!). Pop some pieces of frozen banana in a blender for, say, 3 minutes. And viola - you've got banana "ice cream". I don't know how it happens, but you must trust me. My love affair with bananas just reached a whole new level.

With regards to foods outside of my own kitchen, I have 3 words for you: vegetarian buffet and sushi. One of my favourite restaurants in Stockholm must be Herman's. It's situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking where the sea meets the old city, and serves dozens of rotating vegetarian dishes daily. Unfortunately for me, self-control when it comes to buffets (or any food really) is not my strong suit. Let's just say it was a good thing my ride home on Friday night was downhill. 

On Saturday, we indulged at what I can confidently say is Stockholm's best sushi restaurant: Ljunggrens [yoon-grens]. Drinks to start on the rooftop, followed by spicy tuna and edamame below. A match made in heaven.

Tune in later as my culinary adventures continue. And I can also happily report that I'm enjoying the creating part of food more and more, rather than just the eating.

Along the belt

Do you ever examine other people's groceries as they line them up on the conveyor belt? I mean, you're standing right there waiting for them to finish anyway, so you probably at least have a look. But do you make observations? Judgements? Conclusions? Frozen pizza and 1L coke: home alone tonight. Kale and Coke Zero: on a diet. Mini juice packs and Cheetos bags times 30: snacks for the football team.

I always think it's interesting to see what other people are buying. What will they do with that combination? Sometimes I almost ask them.

...

When I first moved to Sweden, I dreamed of starting a food blog. I love food and I love writing, so it seemed like a perfect match. Swedish food is exciting! And strange! Despite what you may have heard, I've discovered lots of delicious treats over here, of both the sweet and salty persuasion. Some I was hooked on from the start, others took months and years to grow on me (ie salt licorice aka getting a mouthful of chewy ocean saltwater). Regardless, my food blog never took off - or even started - but food is still often on my mind. 

As much as I love to eat, my experience behind the stove is quite limited. There is always something else going on, or something I need to get done - and since NS has a lot of experience in the kitchen, it's much easier to throw the reins to him instead. His specialties (read: full extent of his repertoire) are meatballs and pasta, hamburgers and pasta, fish fingers and pasta, and best renowned, his meatsauce and pasta. Do you see a trend? 

Now I love a good bowl of pasta as much as anyone, but day in and day out pasta is not my forte. Nor is the ketchup garnish that so many Swedes resort to. Ketchup instead of tomato sauce is not okay. 

Which is why there's been a gradual change in the Syk household. I go through cooking kicks and occassionally get sudden urges to create something tasty, but now it's becoming more of a habit. Tonight, it was this crustless broccoli and cheddar quiche, last night it was this cannelloni with goat's cheese. Last week, I discovered this incredible salad: kale salad with sweet potatoes and apples. A-m-a-z-i-n-g! 

What are you cooking right now? Where do you get inspiration? What's your newest favorite meal to make?

Starting the new year right

What do you miss about the States? 

It's a common question for me here in the far north, and one to which I always answer - after family, friends, and hot summers of course - orange chicken. One of the main dishes of American-style Chinese food, I simply can't get enough of it. Every time I'm home, I make a point to eat orange chicken at least once, ideally from Panda Express, America's Chinese fast-food of choice. The small pieces are completely engulfed in the gooey orangey goodness so each bite is extra flavorful. I'm undoubtedly taking 10 years off my life with whatever chemicals are used in the concoction, but it's totally worth it. 

My cravings for orange chicken have always been limited to my visits to States... until yesterday, that is. On the international hangover day of the year, NS and I dragged ourselves across the street - a struggle in itself - for Chinese takeout. I was preparing myself for the disappointment I always feel as soon as I take my first bite of Swedish Chinese food - a meaty lump doused in salty sauce at best - when low and behold, I discovered this amazing sign:

"Orange chicken, comes from America" - eureka! What luck! The greatest moment in Swedish culinary history since princess cake. And I have to say, it was pretty good. A bit of salad strangely added into the mix, but otherwise, grade-A orange chicken. I have a feeling it's gonna be a good year.

Cupcake Stockholm

For months I've been aching to try Cupcake Stockholm, and this evening as I biked home from work, I decided: today is the day. I can't say I was disappointed

The top is a classic Red Velvet and the one below is Fäbodjäntan, which is apparently a very strange old Swedish movie (really not sure where the name came from, but it was kind of a strange cupcake as the top was sprinkled with pepper). They also had one called the Michelle Obama (chocolate, raspberry, and licorice) and the Elvis (chocolate, banana, and ... wait for it ... bacon).

I fully indulged in these delicacies, as last night I ran the 5K i-form race in 23:26 minutes (not a far cry from my old days of running cross country) and placed 23rd out of 837! 

Nothing like a Thursday night of red wine, tacos and cupcakes!