Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/94702
play with your food Simple Sips Pickin' your bottles By Karen Eigenberger Christmas Cooking, Norwegian Style Down-home delicacies with a northern flair By Michael and Jean Muckian Growing up in Milwaukee, Joan Peterson was first exposed to "lutefisk," the dreaded dried cod fish preserved in lye, through her Swedish neighbors. The Norwegian delicacy was never a favorite. Now author and publisher of the Madison- similar note to those found on American menus, a few offer wild twists—and aren't for a the faint of heart. Take "smalahove," for example, a salted, While many Norwegian dishes strike a based "Eat Smart" travel guides, Peterson still strode boldly into researching "Eat Smart Norway," the most recent of her 11-volume series. She found that Norwe- gian cooking offers a variety of delicacies suited for the holiday season, although some aren't likely grace your table. Peterson and her co-authors personally smoked and boiled lamb's head (without brains) served with mashed rutabagas and a potato. "I wasn't in Norway when this was on the As I gather this December with friends and family, enjoying good times and good wine is always on the top of my list. Perhaps it's my age, but my focus on all things has certainly shifted from quantity to quality. I no longer try and buy my two daughters everything on their Christmas list. I just choose a few substantial, lasting gifts with meaning. In this "month of excess," as I call it, I also realize I can no longer eat a dozen appetizers at every party! Instead, I choose food much more carefully than when I was younger, deciding what flavors I want to experience and what is worth the calories. Importantly, the same goes for wines. There are so many holiday gatherings and opportunities to enjoy a glass of wine with friends. This doesn't mean you need to say "no," but rather, think about your choices. When having guests at this time of year, I like to offer fewer options. Instead of every cocktail and 10 different wines, I choose a few fabulous drinks my guests will be sure to treasure. My picks this holiday season for tremendous quality wines are: Tissot Cremant du Jura Extra Brut: Every good gathering needs bubbles, and at under $20, this dry sparkling cuvee from France is stellar! Complex, a touch toasty and very, very elegant. menu, so I didn't sample it," says Peterson. "But I might have drawn the line [there]." You can add a less-intimidating and tasty visit the subject country for each guide, spending time with professional chefs and with home cooks to get a full taste of the local culinary culture. From her travels, Peterson discovered she had a taste for Norwegian food after all, zeroing in on homey favorites such as "får-i-kål," a lamb-and-cabbage stew and "flesk og duppe," a dish of fried, salted pork served with boiled potatoes topped with pork drippings. "I also sampled a velvety flan-like pud- ding made from unpasteurized colostrum milk and lingonberries," she says. "The milk comes from the first or second milking after a cow has calved. Remarkable." 70 BRAVA Magazine December 2012 Norwegian flair to your holiday menu with side dishes such as "medisterkaker," fried pork patties with a hint of ginger or "kål- rotstappe," which are mashed rutabagas. And don't forget the "lefse," the tra- Ladera Napa Valley Cabernet ($30): Not inexpensive, but very worth its price. Intense and rich with a long, velvety mouthfeel. ditional Norwegian flatbread that can be bought at many local grocers and prepared in countless ways, adding a fun twist to holiday dining. Michael and Jean Muckian have covered the local food and arts scenes for over 25 and 15 years, respectively. Find them online at the Culturosity blog on bravamagazine.com Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($20): This is truly a bargain for the quality. Complex, silky and a touch earthy, this wine goes with most any food. Pieropan Soave ($15): Softly dry, round, smooth and fresh in your mouth. Perfect with most any food. Karen Eigenberger is partner at STEVE'S Wine-Beer-Spirits on Mineral Point Road. Visit stevesknows.com. Photo by Shanna Wolf