ScandiKitchen Summer

Author Brontë Aurell, owner of the popular ScandiKitchen Café, brings her famous flair to over 65 traditional Scandinavian recipes which perfectly capture the joy of summer eating.

In the spring and summer months we come alive again with nature as the days get longer and lighter. We crave food that is often naturally lighter and nourishing, replacing the comforting stodge of winter dishes. We still seek and deserve indulgence, but in different, fresher forms. Almost nowhere in the world is the contrast in seasons so apparent as in Scandinavia, where the winters are long and dark and the golden summer months are a particularly celebrated time.

Scandinavians do summer food well—it is wholesome, flavorsome, simple to make and sumptuous to look at—meals that can be put together with ease and taken swiftly to the garden to be consumed while soaking up the warm weather. In Scandinavian culture, eating well is not about deprivation but ‘lagom’ or balance—everything in moderation, from cakes piled high with berries and cream to beautiful salads and everything in-between. Try the tempting Breakfast ideas such as Cinnamon Bun French Toast or Freya’s Blueberry Porridge.

The Open Sandwich chapter is simple perfection, with ideas such as smoked Salmon Gravadlax or Avocado and Egg. Salads and Sharing Plates are ideal for al fresco lunches and include Asparagus and Broad Bean Salad and Smoked Mackerel Rillettes with Fennel. Satisfying Mains and Larger Plates includes Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Hasselback Potatoes or Danish Plaice and Chips with Remoulade. The all-important Cake and Fika chapter features a Midsummer Strawberry Cake and Skinny Lemon Muffins. A classic Sourdough Rye Loaf and Seeded Crispbread with Dried Nettles are on offer in the Breads chapter and Desserts and Drinks tempts with a Swedish Mess with Cloudberries and much more.

The book also includes interesting essays on the importance of summer in Scandinavian culture.

About the Author

Bronte Aurell is a Danish cook, author, entrepreneur and restaurateur. Together with her Swedish husband Jonas, she runs the ScandiKitchen Cafe, grocery shop, online store and wholesale business. Bronte has been published widely in the national press and has also made a number of radio and television appearances as a guest chef on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and Home Comforts at Christmas with James Martin. She lives in London with Jonas and their two young daughters.