The Nordic Company Presents-Learning How to Make Lefse

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Now that the holidays are fast approaching, aside from travel, The Nordic Company has also been thinking about food. Specifically, with the potato being one of the most readily available produces of the Midwest, we find ourselves craving some smooth Scandinavian lefse!

Lefse is a traditional, soft, flat potato bread made with flour, butter, and cream that has been carried over from the homeland. Well into the 1800’s, approximately 30,000 Norwegians immigrated to Wisconsin – where the Nordic Company is located – and consequently, nearly 10% of the Wisconsin population can claim Norwegian descent today.

This also means that a lot of us are highly skilled in the art of lefse-making. Lefse can be used to compliment a holiday dinner, to satisfy a late afternoon craving, or even to excite you for your upcoming, Scandinavian vacation! The Nordic Company knows there are many ways to prepare you for your wonderful holiday travels and lefse is not a bad place to start. Delight you taste buds with the following recipe…

Lefse

Give yourself approximately 1.5 hours to complete. You may use a lefse griddle, grooved lefse rolling pin, and flat wooden lefse turners, but they are not essential. You can also use an electric frying pan, a pancake turner, and a large mixing bowl.

Yields: 24 pieces of bread

- 4 cups of mashed or riced potatoes
- 1 stick of butter (or margarine)
- 1/3 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups of flour
- extra flour for rolling out the dough.

Measure out the potatoes into a large mixing bowl. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter in the milk; stir in the sugar and salt. Then pour over the cold potatoes and mix well. Stir two cups of flour until the dough becomes sticky and soft.

You may now heat the griddle or frying pan, but do not add any oil. Lefse is baked only on a dry surface.

Grab an egg-sized lump of dough and place a teaspoon of flour on the surface where you intend to roll out the lefse. Starting in the center, roll dough outward until the lefse is about the size of a dinner plate. Careful not to roll the lefse out too thin. If it breaks when you pick it up, start over. When sticking occurs, add more flour.

After you roll out your lefse, transfer it to the griddle and bake until brown freckles start to appear. Turn lefse over and complete the same on the opposite side. When done, remove from the griddle and place on a dishtowel and cover with another towel.

Stack the lefse pieces within the dishtowel and wait for it to cool. Once cool, wrap it in aluminum foil to keep in the moisture. When you’re ready to eat, spread it with butter, sprinkle a little sugar or cinnamon on it, and roll it into a log. Once the lefse is cooled, you may also freeze it for later use.

Enjoy!

Norway - Solstrand Smiles Back

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With the flurry of an election year and the hurry of fall upon us, most of us find ourselves yearning for a life simpler. There is no inconvenient time to plan a relaxing retreat and in fact, right when you’re at the peak of your stress is probably the best time for it. Imagine a quiet view of calming fjords and a delicious plate of fresh mountain berries waiting for you at breakfast. This is only the beginning of what delights you will find at Solstrand Spa Hotel, just outside of Bergen in Norway.

Many of our clients are in a rush to see all the best of what Scandinavia has to offer, but for those who prefer a more languid, luxurious pace, The Nordic Company is sure to send them out to Solstrand. Located a short drive out of Bergen (or a scenic express boat ride), Solstrand Spa Hotel has been satisfying travelers for years with their friendliness and professional services, an expertise that could only come out of four generations of the same, dedicated family care.

Take a walk down by the water, enjoy a sailing excursion, or hop a ride on a sea plane. After you’ve ignited your adrenaline, indulge in one of Solstrand’s unique spa treatments or delicious Scandinavian meals. Nordic purity and simplicity remain at the core of Solstrand’s values and they work hard to bring this serenity to you.

So when you ‘round the bend in your rental car or disembark at the express boat dock after a few days of exhausting city traveling and you see the perfectly adorned white trim of Solstrand’s smiling yellow demeanor, you can smile right back. Relax because the Nordic Company has just delivered you to your home away from home. For more photos and information, go to www.solstrand.com. Solstrand is proud to be a member of the De Historike hotels and one of the prominent hotels of the fjords.

Shopping in Scandinavia - The Silver Lining

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I am starting to get nostalgic for Scandinavia. It was around this time last year that we began planning our trip to visit our favorite countries for the holiday season. There is nothing more memorable than visiting Scandinavia at Christmas/New Year’s time when everything has acquired that festive holiday glow and there is no better way to find that special gift than shopping abroad – safe in knowing that there is no chance someone else will get your friend or spouse the exact same thing!

With the current uncertainty of the economy, it is natural to meet the holiday season with more worry than anticipation, but that does not have to be the case. The recent falls in Scandinavian currencies have made Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and others favorable shopping destinations for foreigners. Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, reported that Iceland, in particular, would be likely to receive a higher volume of foreign visitors during the holiday season with the intention to shop. This will prove healthy for Iceland’s wavering economy.

So the message is simple: “In every cloud, there is a silver lining.” With all the election hype and economy drama, a relaxing shopping getaway may be exactly what the doctor ordered and the Nordic Company knows just where to send you.

Denmark - A Visit to the Vibrant Freetown Christiana

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World travelers are some of the most fascinating people to be found. Their clothes display an unconventional map of the world, their stories are eclectic and unrivaled, and their smiles reflect a depth and brilliance that can only be achieved by connecting with so many different kinds of people. It gives us continuous joy to know that our mission at the Nordic Company contributes daily to the creation of these types of interesting people.

Sometimes, on my lunch breaks, I wonder if these types of people ever settle down or if they are destined to eternally lead the life of the wayfarer? And if they do settle, where do they go? While I happened upon the “free town” of Christiana on one of my visits to Copenhagen in Denmark, I immediately had the sense that I had found that place.

Christiana is a self-governing neighborhood of approximately 850 residents on an abandoned military base in the Danish capital. It has been a source of controversy over the years, as the residents started out as squatters and the area was originally riddled with drug abuse issues, but it has since blossomed into a vibrant and breath-taking beautiful art community. A stroll through Christiana will afford you with views of intricate, colorful murals, whimsical, modern art homes, and dogs – lots and lots of dogs. The citizens of Christiana love their dogs, but they also love the land. Most of their homes and artwork are built from recycled materials and made to look new. They love conversation too. If you stop to talk to any of the locals, they will regale you with the rich history of the area and some stories of their own. Everyone that I have spoken to has an elaborate life story to tell and they emanate a sort of goodwill and free spirit characteristic of the world traveler.

The Nordic Company encourages you to check out Christiana, but we also warn you that it can be a source of conflict. The government is pushing to abolish the community, or at the very least, to normalize it under the rules that govern the rest of the city. The residents are adamant about keeping the area free of drugs and crimes, but it has a preceding reputation that is proving difficult to shake. On the famous “Pusher Street” no cameras are allowed for police reasons. The open sale of cannabis is still prevalent. If you want to visit the community, it is best to go during the middle of the day and with a group of people.

The Nordic Company strives to bring you the most unique niches in Scandinavia and introduce you to the wide variety of people that make up this very special part of the world.

Vigeland Park in Norway, Freetown Christiana in Denmark, and so many other destinations are waiting for your discovery and we’re happy to help.

Norway - Vigeland Park Speaks to the Heart

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Recently, I asked one of my returning clients if she could have spent one extra day anywhere on her trip, where she would choose. I guessed she would pick another evening in the magical Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark . Or perhaps she would clamor for one more afternoon to soak up the serene Sognefjord from the balcony of the historically vibrant Kvikne’s Hotel. However, her answer was even better than that.

“Vigeland Park!” she replied, without a thought. “Those statues make me laugh!” She was referring to the 212 bronze and granite sculptures, hand-made by Norwegian Gustav Vigeland, that were situated in a park just 3 kilometers outside of Oslo. It may sound elegant at first, but Vigeland Park is no ordinary sculpture garden. The human forms take on anatomical arrangements and poses that can only be described as amusing. The Monolith is a human spire of 32 naked bodies towering 46.32 feet high. The Fountain is a series of men, using their backs to support the bowl of a fountain. My personal favorite, is the Crying Baby, a statue of a small child throwing a temper tantrum. I imagine all of the mothers strolling the park chastising their bawling toddlers by saying, “See, if you continue to cry – you will turn into stone, just like that one! And then I will have to leave you here!”

All of the statues depict natural human activities such as running, wrestling, nursing, hugging, etc. yet they all seem to elicit an unusual level of delight from onlookers – as though no one is used to seeing what they look like in their day to day form. My client went on to explain that she could think of nothing more relaxing than an afternoon in Vigeland Park, a bottle of wine and picnic basket, and ample amount of time to observe the locals. I wasn’t sure if she was referring to the Norwegians or the statues, but it didn’t matter. The beauty of what Gustav Vigeland has created is that the line between the statue and the human life is blurred. When we go to Vigeland Park, we see reflections of ourselves being projected as objects of art and admiration – and almost instantly, despite being thousands of miles away from home in a beautiful, but foreign country, we feel comfortable in our own skin again.

Scandinavia - Norse Mythology and the Misadventures of Loki

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Although each of the Norse gods possess their own individual attractions, the mischief-making god, Loki, happens to be a favorite of the locals to invoke upon unsuspecting visitors. He is known as the “father of lies” and does much to merit that name in terms of silly deception, malicious behavior, and outright trickery. If you’re a chronic troublemaker, you can be sure you’ll be attached to the persona of Loki in no time.

Loki was the son of two giants and a notorious shape-changer. One day, he observed the gods struggling to create the god, Asgard, and he craftily offered his assistance. Loki suggested that the gods contract a giant to do the work and he knew of just the right one, a giant that owned a strong stallion capable of lifting and carrying anything. The gods agreed, but they were worried when the giant demanded the Sun, the Moon, and the beautiful goddess, Freya, as payment for his services. Loki assured them that this would never happen because he would see to it that the giant did not complete his work on time.

True to his word, when the god Asgard was nearly completely, Loki used his shape-changing abilities to become a gorgeous young mare. That night, he crept into the work camp of the giant and seduced his strong stallion. They galloped away into the fields, never to be seen again. Without the stallion, the giant realized to his dismay, that he would never be able to complete the work on time and therefore, the gods had no obligation to give him the Sun, the Moon, or the goddess, Freya.

You will find stories such as these scattered throughout the rich, cultural history of Scandinavia. Oslo now serves as a focal of Viking history, boasting the impressive Viking Ship Museum, among other attractions. We encourage you to dive deep into the history of Scandinavia in your travels. When you know the enchanting stories that have circulated through the shimmering fjords, daunting glaciers, and serene countryside, it makes your destination that much more alive.

www.godchecker.com

Scandinavia - Norse Mythology & the Creation of the Earth

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There are many geological explanations for the exotic splendor of Norway, but the mythological account is perhaps the most creative. The story goes that at the beginning of life, there was only fire and ice – so imagine a land closely resembling the country of Iceland. These two worlds united and out of them was born the fire giant, Ymir and the icy cow, Audhulma. From Ymir and Audhulma, came the god Bor. After some time, Bor produced the three gods, Odin, Vili, and Ve.

Odin, Vili and Ve were very clever and they decided to kill the fire giant, Ymir and use his body to create the earth. They used his flesh for the soil, his blood to fill the ocean, and his bones to make stone. His brains formed the clouds and his skill became the heavens. In this way, they made a very strong and beautiful earth – including the fjords and countryside of Scandinavia.

To populate this land, Odin, Vili, and Ve uprooted two tree trunks and formed the human race. Today, those who carry this Norse ancestry have spread out all over the world. They live in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and the Baltics. Those of Scandinavian descent live throughout the U.S. as well – a lot of them right here with us in the heart of the Midwest!

People who feel these strong ties to the land of their ancestry as well as those who are struck with an insatiable curiosity for the mystique of Scandinavia make up the bulk of our clientele base. We are happy to serve you in planning a culturally rich, historically enlightening, and all-around entertaining excursion to the wonderful world of Northern Europe. Odin, Vili, and Ve would be proud to know that so many have enjoyed their handiwork.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_mythology

We invite you to learn more about Scandinavian travel by visiting our pages dedicated to Norway tours, Norway travel and Norwegian coastal voyage trips.

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