A Closer Look At Finnish Food
A recent discussion came up the other day”Is Finnish Food Bland”.Actually the discussion started kicked off with some one sharing(similar to Alcoholics Anonymous)that they love the Finnish Food.She(not from Finland) went on to list her favorites;All of which by the way Finnish People love and I find pretty uninteresting and unpalatable.They included Finnish Meatballs,Finnish Rye Bread and Fish with Dill! The Finnish Rye Bread I definitely find a must when visiting Finland.It is delicious served warm and heavily coated with butter,served with a hot chunky soup,especially in Wintertime,definately a good Finnish Food
Gastronomically Bland Finnish Food
I am not the first and no doubt will not be the last to admit that there are some Finnish Food specialties that are pretty God-Damned awful.They are so unpalatable it makes any thing that follows appear Gastronomical.These bland Finnish Food offerings include Måmmi (Malt based pudding)served with milk,Salmiakki(Liquorices and ammonia liqueur)Baby mash potato or carrot food(peruna ja porkana laatikko),Fish baked inside a loaf of bread(Kalakukko)from the region in the East of Finland known as Savonia,Viili(not sure,but like solid sour milk).pretty awful and uninspiring Finnish Food
I am digressing apologies!I have lived here in Finland as a British Expatriate for 21 years now and the Finnish Food and beverages listed above are still bland or uneatable for me,The point being I believe you need to have been brought up as a Baby to really enjoy eating this Finnish Food.So most Finnish People positively enjoy indulging in eating this Finnish Food
Brighter Gastronomical Finnish Food
On a brighter side there is some absolutely delicious Finnish Food dishes.During the conversation or rapid heated discussion one or two Finnish Food specialties came up and most if not all agree they are mouth watering.Some of the Reindeer and Moose dishes served with the ample supply of fresh summer berries are electrifying to the taste buds and a compliment to Finnish Food.The Finnish Crayfish barbequed outside in summertime is an other firm favorite Finnish Food although quite expensive.Salmon wherever you are in the world is delicious,either served in soup form,Graavi(How to make Graavi here),barbequed or just plain fried.All the above dishes accompanied with new potatoes,covered in fresh Dill,especially Lapland potatoes(Lapinpuikula)as these are actually firm and extremely tasty potatoes and a simple salad side dish are my favorite Finnish Food
Finlandia Vodka
One consistent thread ran through the conversation and that was Finlandia Vodka and the use of it with Finnish Food,Most people are familiar with drinking Finlandia Vodka as a snaps or quick shot.I have always found Finlandia Vodka to be one of the best,if not the best Vodka in the world,Sorry Smirnoff! and Russia.Finlandia Vodka is dry but very smooth on the tongue and accompanies Finnish Food very well.A really chick way of starting an evening meal with fellow guests.Finlandia Vodka was really brought to fane in the film”American Gigolo”,where in the opening scene Richard Gere is seen to be sat in a bar drinking it.The discussion died up when people began complaining about the price of Finlandia Vodka on the domestic market in Finland.It is however a good but strong compliment to many good Gastronomical Finnish Food dishes
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Excellent site. I was checking constantly this site and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part I care for such information much.
I must admit, My visit to Finland left me a little sour mouthed, their traditional cuisine and dishes are not that spectacular, although compared to the food in England, I would have to give it the thumbs up.
James from http://www.schoolgrantsresource.org
Sorry to say it mate, but any Finnish meal will beat the typical (or should I say almost everyday staple of average British person) concoction of overcooked: meat, veg and potatoes, all swimming in a disgusting brown artificial liquid called “gravy” JUST LIKE THAT!!
Have been living here for six years and thoroughly hate it.
I could not agree with you more.!English food has only recently(10 years)seen a revival of old style cooking and more interesting plates offered to buying guests.Unfortunately the average home cooking does fall well short of tasty and inviting to the palette.
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