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Living a Nordic Life
Welcome to Living A Nordic Life, helping you live a Nordic Life, wherever you are.
From my home in southern Norway I'd love to share my Nordic lifestyle, cooking and surroundings with you, and show you how I have discovered that you don't need to live in Norway to enjoy and embrace a Nordic lifestyle and way of living.
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Lemon Curd, An Unexpected Norwegian Favourite
Lemon curd is a simple and easy jam to make and keep. It's unexpectedly popular in Norway and my recipe always sells out on my farmstand.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 223 min read


Homemade Prim (Norwegian Brown Cheese Spread)
In the Nordics prim is as well known as brunost or brown cheese. Outside of Norway it's a little less well known, but once you have tasted it I promise you will love it. For the uninformed, brunost or Norwegian brown cheese is a strange food. It's always in the cheese aisle at the supermarket, but it's not actually a cheese. It's made by slowly cooking whey (the liquid that is usually thrown away after cheese making) until it's caramelises into a thick liquid. This is t

Fiona McKinna
Jul 82 min read


Danish Remoulade Sauce
Remoulade sauce is a Danish classic. This creamy and tangy sauce is a popular accompaniment to fish, grilled and meat and (dare I say it!) chips.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 242 min read


Smörgåstårta, Swedish Sandwich Cake
Smörgåstårta is an exciting and unusual savoury cake that will intrigue your guests and get everyone talking.

Fiona McKinna
May 294 min read


Hedlehestar, Norwegian Oat Pancakes
Enjoy a taste of tradition with this recipe from Rogaland in Norway. These delicious oat pancakes are easy to make and quick to cook for an authentic Norwegian snack.

Fiona McKinna
May 272 min read


Byggrynskrem med Jordbær Saus (Barley Cream with Strawberry Sauce)
A traditional and simple dessert to celebrate spring into summer. This Norwegian classic combines nutty grains, luxurious cream and seasonal berries

Fiona McKinna
May 132 min read


Brokkolisalat (Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Raspberries); a New Norwegian Classic
Brokkolisalat is a new Norwegian classic. It's a delicious combination of broccoli, creamy dressing, bacon and raspberries that will have you coming back for more.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 292 min read


Velvety Wild Garlic Soup
Wild garlic grows in abundance in the early spring and it's an exciting and tasty wild edible to include in recipes with it's bright green colour and distinctive flavour. This recipe elevates wild garlic to something luxurious and gourmet.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 112 min read


Fermented Dairy - an Historic Nordic Staple
Fermented dairy products are not just culinary staples in Nordic cuisine; they are a celebration of rich flavours, traditions, and health benefits. Imagine starting your day with a bowl of thick skyr or enjoying a refreshing filmjölk smoothie in the afternoon. Intrigued? Let me invite you to join me for an exploration of Nordic fermented dairy, revealing their history, types, and delicious recipes that are sure to excite your palate. The Historical Significance of Fermented D

Fiona McKinna
Feb 224 min read


Authentic Sami Winter Menu to Celebrate Sami Day
Discover authentic Sámi winter cuisine perfect for the winter. From reindeer stew and traditional Gáhkku flatbread to hearty root vegetable soups and cloudberry cream dessert, explore recipes that warm the body and celebrate Sámi culture. Learn how to prepare a full Sámi-inspired winter meal using traditional ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques rooted in Nordic heritage.

Fiona McKinna
Feb 24 min read


Gáhkku, Traditional Sami Flatbread
Gahkku is a delicious and traditional Sami bread flavoured with anis. It's perfect served with dishes like bidos (reindeer stew) or simply with a slice of brunost (Norwegian brown cheese)

Fiona McKinna
Jan 282 min read


Pytt i Panna, Traditional Swedish Hash
Pytt i panna is the kind of meal that feels like home — humble, warming and quietly generous. Born from leftovers and simple habits, this Swedish hash of crisp potatoes, soft onions and savoury meat turns an ordinary pan into something deeply comforting. In this recipe, pytt i panna becomes a small ritual: listening to the sizzle, waiting for golden edges, finishing with a fried egg or pickled beetroot. It’s food for unhurried evenings when you want something honest, nourishi

Fiona McKinna
Jan 142 min read


Danish Brunkager (Spiced Christmas Cookies)
The Scandinavians love spiced cookies at Christmas and it's a wonderful time to indulge a little, There are some classic ingredients that always find in Scandinavian and Nordic cooking at Christmas time and those warm fragrant spices like cinnamon and cardamom fill the air with Christmassy scents. What I love about brunkager is not only that you can enjoy an authentically Danish cookie, but that they keep incredibly well for about a week. This means that you can make them we

Fiona McKinna
Dec 24, 20252 min read


Knäck, Swedish Christmas Butterscotch
Swedish Christmas candy is a traditional treat in Scandinavia and it's so easy to make that we can enjoy a little taste of Sweden wherever we are in thr world.

Fiona McKinna
Dec 10, 20252 min read


Flatbrødsoll (Flatbread Cereal)
This simple and traditional dish is something that brings memories of childhood for many in Norway.

Fiona McKinna
Nov 12, 20252 min read


Decadent Hot Chocolate with Norwegian Brunost
Really indulge your love of hot chocolate with this decadent and delicious recipe with a couple of secret Norwegian ingredients

Fiona McKinna
Oct 29, 20252 min read


Swedish Macaroni Bake (Klassisk Makaronilåda)
Pasta is unexpectedly popular in Scandinavia. There are countless dishes that feature pasta as a main ingredient for those of us used to traditional Italian pasta dishes they can seem a little unusual, like Norwegian fiskegrateng. Pasta has been part of Swedish cuisines since the 1600s but back then it was something that only the most wealthy would eat. Commercial pasta production didn't start until the 20th century and really took off after the Second World War. Simple an

Fiona McKinna
Oct 15, 20252 min read


Pulla, Finnish Coffee Bread
Pulla or Finnish coffee bread is a daily staple in Finland. These sweet, aromatic and fluffy cardamom buns are easy to make and taste delicious.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 24, 20252 min read


Puolukkapiirakka (Finnish Lingonberry Tart)
All throughout the Nordic forests, lingonberries cover the ground in the autumn. Finnish lingonberry tart showcases them in all their seasonal beauty. Perfect as a special dessert os simply to have with coffee for fika.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 19, 20252 min read


Swedish Potatoes in a Dill Sauce (Dillstuvad Potatis)
Delicious dishes don't need to be fancy. This Swedish classic is a simple dish of potatoes and dill and will thestar of any meal.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 10, 20251 min read
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