Author Archives: Björg Farstad

Kveite with potatoes, vegetables, cucumbers and Sour Cream

This fish called Kveite in Norwegian my mother used to make for special occations like the first Day of Christmas or New Years Day. It was my favorite dish and we did not eat this more than a couple times a year during special Holidays. She used to boil it in a special way and serve it cold with hot potatoes, vegetables and sour cream that she made with whipped cream, vinegar and a pinch of sugar. The fish was always served as whole steaks and she would decorate the serving tray beautifully. Tonight I made it exactly like my mom used to.

Norwegian Potatoe Lefse

I learned to bake Lefse from my mom as a little girl. This potatoe Lefse we used to make from leftover potatoes. It was always a treat. It is really the most simple Norwegian Lefse. There are so many kinds. But I loved this one and we would get it more often than the more fancy one´s that took more time and ingredients to make. This could be a treat on a sunday from some left over potatoes from the week.

Norwegian Skolebrød

This is a wonderful fine wheat bun with delicious custard and icing covered with dried shredded coconutflakes. It is a Norwegian favorite. This bread or bun probably appeared in the 1950´s and has over time become one of the Norwegian´s favorites. Skolebrød is actually one of the most eaten wheat buns in Norway. It is especially popular with schoolchildren. In the 70´s when I was a child and a teenager it had a revival and the name was the new Norwegian word of the 70´s. 2017 the Skolebrød got it´s own day in Norway.

Mørk Hemmelighet (Dark Secret)

Norways “Mørk Hemmelighet “ which translates into “Dark Secret” is a wonderful mousse cake covered in an outer layer of chocolate pudding, it has bits of tropical fruits, nuts and raisins inside, a perfect match with the chocolate. It is incredibly light and not too sweet. I think it’s a unique dessert but I never saw anyone else than my mother make it. Yesterday I decided to recreate it in memory of my mother.

Norwegian “Vannbakkels”

When I was growing up there was one pastry my mother used to make that was very special. It was called “Vannbakkels” in Norwegian. It means “Waterpastry”. I understood that this was a very special pastry. I didn´t understand why though. It was not so much flavor in the pastry itself, however when it was filled with the filling it was delicious. I used to help my mom make these sometimes. And I remember how she stressed the importance that they only could be filled right before the serving. They didn´t look so special before they were filled and sprinkled with icing sugar. But than they were really beautiful. And they tasted wonderful. I didn´t know that these pastries were the french Petit Choux.

Norwegian Kabaret

This dish I learned to make from my mother growing up and it was fun and creative to make. It also required some patience. But coming up with patterns was fun and to see the outcome when it was done. I also loved to eat it. We only made Kabaret for special occations and maybe as a Buffée dish. Kabaret was common food in the 50´s and 60´s and for me even during the years I still lived in Norway during the 70´s and beginning of 80´s. It might be a really retro dish today. Kabaret can be made with so many different good ingredients, and you can get a result that tastes a little different each time. Here are some variations I made.