Posts Tagged Christmas stuff

Juleøl is popular this time of year

Christmas drink

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Norwegian Christmas drinks

- Gløgg: The Norwegian take on mulled wine. You mix the sirupy mixture with hot red wine, and add chopped almonds and raisins. My personal favourite, it gets me in the Christmas mood instantly.

- Juleøl: There are two kinds of Christmas beers, which are basically spiced beers brewed specifically for the Christmas season. The strong ones are only available from the Vinmonopolet, while the weaker variety can be found in stores everywhere. Most Norwegian breweries make several Christmas beers every year, ranging from non-alcoholic to strong. Of the beers available from the Vinmonopolet, julebukk is usually the strongest variety.

- Aquavit: The spirit of choice for Christmas (and many other special occasions) in Norway. See former entry on this blog.

- Home-brewed juleøl: A disappearing tradition, but an important one in the old days, when each family would brew its own non-alcoholic beer in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Some Norwegians uphold the custom to this day.

- Julebrus: Fizzy soft drink, red in colour and with a very artificial taste, slightly reminiscent of raspberry. Popular with children.

- Julmust: Imported from Sweden, and consumed by some Norwegians as an alternative to cola in the festive season.

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Season’s Greetings

Merry Christmas © www.elusivemoose.eu

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Useful Norwegian phrases (Christmas special)

God Jul! Merry Christmas!

Godt Nytt År! Happy New Year!

Her kommer Nissen! Here comes Father Christmas!

Maten lukter godt: The food smells good

Jeg har spist for mye: I have eaten too much

Jeg er mett: I am full

Hva er det for noe? What the heck is this?

Dette smakker godt/vondt/ille vondt: This tastes good/bad/terrible

Jeg er tørst: I am thirsty

Kan jeg få litt aquavit til? Can I get a little bit more aquavit?

Jeg har drukket for mye: I have had too much to drink

Denne mannen er full: This man is pissed

En fest: A party

Romjula: The period between Christmas and New Year

Julebord: Christmas party

Fyrverkeri: Fireworks

Gaver: gifts, presents. Julegaver: Christmas presents

Å kysse under misteltein: To kiss under the mistletoe

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Pepperkaker: A Christmas tradition

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Pepperkake recipe

Pepperkaker are Norwegian Christmas biscuits. Tradition dictates that each housewife should bake no fewer than seven different kinds for Christmas, although in practice most people nowadays bake one sort, and buy the rest. Here is a fool-proof recipe that even novice bakers can successfully pull off. An ideal one to try with the little ones.

You will need:

660g flour, 220g thick dark syrup, 220g sugar, 220g butter, 2 eggs, 1ts cinnamon, 1ts cloves, 1ts ginger, 1/4ts pepper, 1ts baking soda

Melt the butter and add the sirup while stirring. Mix this with the whisked eggs, sugar and spices, then sieve in the flour and baking soda. Your dough should rest in a cold place for a few hours, or overnight if possible.

Roll out the dough. Use shapes to cut your biscuits, and remember to make a hole in them if you are planning on hanging some of them.

Cook at 210°C for 8-10 minutes, or a little bit less if the dough is thin and your biscuits small.

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Only a few days to Christmas

electric Christmas tree © www.elusivemoose.eu

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Christmas treat ideas for all budgets

- Fine-dining: Enjoy a romantic dinner with a loved one at Refsnes Gods, Moss. Good food, good wine and good company – what more could one possibly want? www.refsnesgods.no

- Pampering: Treat yourself to a relaxing and revitalising weekend at Zen Resort in Rømskog. New year, new you! www.zenresort.no

- Shopping: Splash out and get yourself a Christmas present you really want. What about a piece of art for something really original? Visit the Østfoldkunstnersenter for some inspiration, or check out links to local artists on their website. www.kunstnersenter.no/oks/ (Norwegian only)

- Family: Take the kids to a hockey match. Sparta plays against Vålerenga on 22 Dec in Sarpsborg, while Stjernen takes on Storhamar Dragons on 28 Dec in Fredrikstad. www.sparta.no and www.stjernen.no (Norwegian only)

- Entertainment: Looking for something more festive? It’s not too late to catch a Christmas concert. The Parkteatret in Moss puts on its annual concert on today (20 Dec), 19.00; or you can hear Ole Paus in Østre Fredrikstad Church in Gamlebyen on 22 Dec 18.30. www.parkteatret.com

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Østfold in Pictures: Nissenatt-Huset, Gamlebyen

NisseNatt-Huset © www.elusivemoose.eu

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A Norwegian Christmas speciality: Pinnekjøtt

Pinnekjøtt

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