Spring has [nearly] Sprung

Sorry for the lack of posts but with a broken camera I feel a bit uninspired to write. On top of that, the last couple of weeks have been full of boring busy work like booking flights, filling out forms, and writing reports- nothing worth photographing. 

On the other hand, I have had some memorable meals both at the lab and out (more on that in another post), I have received some bread baking lessons by an amazing Sardinian chef, I have been soaking up the sunshine like it is my job, and rock climbing like a crazy woman. 

My colleague Josh celebrated his 24th birthday on the 19th of February. The newest member of the lab Roberto, a renowned Sardinian chef, prepared a beautiful feast.

Langoustine with Viili, Herbs, Pear and Koji Powder.

Kale and Potato Soup. Lightly smoked and Roasted Mackerel. Salt Crusted Potatoes with a Cilantro Sauce.

Clementine Cake. Candles light the nfl way- with a blowtorch.

 Roberto gave me a lesson on bread baking too!

Gettin' serious about kneading.

After a night of proofing it was finally time to bake. Pulling this baby out of the oven!

What a beauty!

Our Birthday Dinner

My colleague Josh and I have our birthday nine days apart. Four our birthday he offered to take me to Relæ, Christian Puglisi's Michelin starred restaurant- new Nordic with and Italian twist.

We sat at the bar overlooking the Kitchen, my favorite spot to be. 

1st dish- yellow beets with last seasons yellow plums and grated salted egg yolk.

bread and olive oil.

2nd dish- mushrooms, mushrooms and more mushrooms- slices, broth and powder.

3rd dish (and by far the BEST)- purple carrot basted for 40 minutes in garlic butter, light Selinda, and wild herbs.

4th dish- vanilla bean ice cream with citrus segments and dried citrus peel.

A lovely dinner. A lovely evening. 

Thanks Josh!

Another year older

It was a wonderful day. 

Woke up, ate a leisurely breakfast, babysat until noon, and then went to the lab. 

 There were balloons out front and at my place there were cards and birthday treats!

And then, to my surprise (and excitement) Guillo and Edith prepared a three course lunch, with the star of each course being PUMPKIN!

 1st course- Finnish Leipäjuusto, Pumpkin Carpaccio with Cilantro and Pomegranate Seeds and Roasted Red Peppers with Garlic and Olive Oil.

 

Stuffed Pumpkin and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. 

Pumpkin and Hazelnut Torte with Whipped Viili Cream.

After a delicious meal and lovely day at the Lab (and some rich chocolate cake), the girls from the lab and I all went to Ved Stranden 10 (a nice wine bar) for a bottle of sparkling Riesling. 

I wish I could have been with my family on this bittersweet day but felt so much love from my Nordic Food Lab family.

Blinded

February has come in with blinding light and beauty. I am falling in love with this city all over again. After a record low of just 17 hours of sunshine in the whole month of January, this February sun is a much welcomed gift. There have been just two days of nasty rain so far this month and they were easily forgotten after I waking up to this-

And cycling to work with this beautiful fiery orb blinding me- 

And beautiful sunsets!

Unfortunately my camera is no longer reading my memory card (or any memory card) so until I get it fixed I will just be posting subpar iPhone photos. Sorry folks.

Winter has come

After a month long vacation back home, I returened to Copenhagen about a week and a half ago. The transition back to the lab and my life here in Copenhagen has been smooth. I've been having a blast cooking, eating, researching, socializing and all around just having a lot of fun!

After an extremely mild winter, finally today, on January 27th old man winter decided to show his face. The streets are dusted with snow, the lakes are frozen over, and the harbor is starting to freeze.

Winter Bathing

Guillemette and I decided it was about time we got in touch with our Nordic side and went winter bathing. It was an overcast Sunday afternoon just above freezing- probably around 45 degrees. We blasted the heat in the bathroom, threw our towels in the dryer and then venture out into the cold. 

Winter bathing in 40 degree water? 

YEAH TAK! 

 

Today

 

I woke up this morning to find a little chocolate elf hiding in my cupboard! 

I have some very sweet housemates. 

After a delicious breakfast, I bundled up and ventured out to face the storm.

 Last night a windstorm swept though Copenhagen with hurricane force winds. Gusts continued though today, as well as periodic spurts of hale and snow. 

With the wind at my back it took me about 8 minutes less than normal to get to work. 

 And when I arrived, this is what I saw!

The boat was a good 4 feet higher than normal!

The porch is usually about level with the ground. 

 The water was nearly lapping up over the edge. 

For fear that the water level might rise just a few more inches and flood the area, the noma chefs left the kitchen, threw on their jackets, and then began sandbagging all the windows and doors.

With all of the excitement regarding the severe weather, none of us were able to focus on work. Instead, we cooked a beautiful lunch in honor of the Finnish independence day. 

 

Making Karelian Pies-

A Rye dough filled with a rich rice porridge and then eaten with egg butter (hard boiled eggs mashed with butter- sort of like egg salad but with butter instead of mayo).

 

Smoked Root Vegetable Tartar with Horseradish Cream and Fried Leeks. 

Then, later in the day we went to the Coffee Collective for a tour of the rostery and to participate in a coffee cupping.