Norwegian Christmas Food

Christmas is all about family and food. This year we spent the holidays in Norway where the weather was cold and beautiful outside while inside, the candles were lit and something was always brewing in the kitchen. It was 5 days of eating, drinking and spending time with family and friends.

When meeting my dear friend Bente and her son Ludvig for a pre-Christmas lunch the warm and traditional lounge at the Bristol Hotel has always been a favorite. Not only did Hoby and I get married here, but with dim lighting, a pianist playing some Christmas carols and a lounge bursting at the seams with families enjoying a rest from holiday shopping, it always puts me in the Christmas spirit.


And they have great smørbrød in all varieties that are served elegantly on gilded plates alongside your favorite bottle of bubbly.

But it's at home that the true celebration happens.

We are a fairly small group as far as family gatherings go, but we don't hold back when it comes to setting the table and enjoying ourselves.

Although Aagot did most of the cooking, us "kids" did help out here and there. I made traditional medisterkaker which are Hoby and Brendan's favorites. (how can it not be, they are basically floating in butter)

We then helped out with the Christmas roast - seasoned with salt, pepper, cloves and more butter ...to make sure the skin becomes extra salty and crispy.
Sometimes we resorted to non-traditional methods of ensuring full flavors - including shaking all the spices around in an oven bag.

As the sun is setting - at 3pm - the dinner table awaits and Aagot puts the finishing touches on her sauces with some cream here and wine there..
In the living room the rest of us eagerly await what's to come as we nibble on some pate and Haley sneaks in as many crackers as she can before her mom notices...

But soon the waiting is over and the hustle and bustle of bringing out all the food begins. It's all hands on deck, except Haley, who takes her place at the head of the table and reminds us that the holidays are more wonderful with kids around.
We eat until we burst and when the traditional multekrem (cloudberry cream) hits the table we ask for a breather before digging down deep to find out who got the coveted almond hidden inside.
We all diligently empty our plates and then the winner, always my father (we think he cheats), gets a marzipan pig. Yes - even the prize is food....and even Haley feels this may be a bit much food for us to consume in one sitting!
The next morning it starts all over again. New table set, a bit less formal but festive nonetheless.


The red tablecloth, Christmas tree plates and little "nisser" on everything (including the food) makes it truly feel like a winter wonderland.The dishes come out one by one,. Smoked salmon and herring, pork roast and cold cuts, eggs (boiled and scrambled) and cheeses in every shape and size fill the table ready for our next feeding. Because when it's cold outside there is no better way to warm yourself than with some good food and good company.