The harsh climate and natural asceticism of the Scandinavians determine their culinary preferences: hot soups, soup, baked dishes are simple enough food that is quickly cooked and preserves heat for a long time.
In the Scandinavian cuisine there are a lot of various dairy dishes. Rosely-cheeked strong Scandinavians (both children and adults) adore milk. Many dishes are washed down with milk. In many families milk is drunk several times a day. The most original in the "dairy" Scandinavian cuisine - salty cream, as well as cream with seasonings, for example, with cumin.
At Christmas, the northerners serve a lot of cakes, cookies, pies. In Denmark, dinner for Christmas begins with fish dishes (primarily - pickled herring), then serve a Christmas duck, then - pies and all sorts of sweets. Finally, hot glogg (Danish version of mulled wine) is served.
Danes are very fond of fish, especially - herring, eels, flounder, mackerel. Still in Denmark sandwiches (more than 700 kinds!) Are very much liked. These are huge "towers" from several "floors" of the most varied stuffing (ham, sausage, bacon, fish, cheese, pate, shrimp, eggs, vegetables, greens, strawberries, various sauces, mustard, etc.). Eat these sandwiches layer by layer. Of meat dishes, fried pork with hot red cabbage, salted chicken with pineapple are the most popular; from dessert dishes - strawberries and blackberries with cream, as well as apple pie with whipped cream and currant jelly.
Norway is a country of fish. The most popular dishes are herring in a variety of forms, flounder, halibut, cod. Traditional dish for Norwegian cuisine - "klipfiks" - cod, which is decapitated, spread out and dried. This dish with ancient history: such a fish was taken for hunting and swimming. Norwegian salmon, which is prepared in a variety of ways, is famous throughout the world. Very unusual dish "rakorret" - trout, which is kept under the ground under certain conditions during the year. Unusual Norwegian cheese - goat sweet creamy cream cheese. Finally, the famous porridge "flotegret" - wheat porridge, which is cooked on cream and served with raspberries.
Sweden is a country of herring. In this country you can try dozens of different kinds of pickled herring. And what about the number of other dishes from this popular fish? In addition to fish in Sweden, they love homemade sausages from different types of meat. When they are made, a variety of seasonings and spices are used, primarily cumin, pepper and onions. Swedes know a lot about the liver, which is brewed, cut into pieces, poured with broth, add spices. And Sweden is a country of berry desserts.
Finland - another "fish" country. Very well known dish "kaleykko" - fish pies. Finns are big lovers of Baltic herring, especially smoked. At Christmas, they serve baked ham, carrot, poultry and potato casserole. The Easter dish "mammy" is a thick black porridge made of rye flour and malt, boiled on the water, seasoned with sugar and cream. The famous "Runeberg cake" is made from ordinary cookies, jams and sour cream. The Finns prepare tasty blueberry pies, many different dishes with mushrooms.
Icelandic cuisine is typically "Scandinavian", but with its own characteristics. In the Icelandic restaurant you can order a dish of lamb or horse meat. A traditional Icelandic dish is a sheep's head cooked entirely. Icelandic cheese, unlike our cheese, is more like a curdled milk, which is mixed with cottage cheese.
Holland (not quite Scandinavia, but none the less).
Here, eat a lot of fish, seafood, as well as mussels in an incredible amount. One of the most popular dishes is stewed fish. The national dish is "hutspot". It is sliced stew or boiled beef, which is served with vegetable puree from boiled potatoes, carrots and onions.
In the end - a couple of recipes.
Herring in Dutch.
The fillet of herring is roasted in pork fat with onion, cut into rings. As a side dish - boiled potatoes, green beans. Plenty of chopped parsley.
Glogg (Danish beverage).
Pour a bottle of red wine and 4 tablespoons of vodka into a saucepan. Add a lemon, 65 grams of sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves (6 pieces), half a spoonful of ground ginger, 100 g of almonds, 100 g of raisins. Pour the saucepan lightly until the sugar dissolves. Fire switch off. Leave to stand for 30 minutes. Before serving, drink the beverage.