The Perfect Midsummer Party Buffet (Nordic Style!)

Midsummer is coming up and in the Nordics that is a bit of a big deal. It marks the high point in the summer calendar in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland and it' a day to celebrate the long days, beautiful weather and enticing food. Rather than being a celebration that only includes one group of people like teenagers and young adults, it's a day and evening for the whole family. Everyone gets together to celebrate in big parties that could be something you have at home or a huge celebration on the each or lakeside.

Midsummer varies slightly from nation to nation. In Norway it's celebrated on the holy day of Sanktshansaften which the evening before St Johns Day but in Finland it's celebrated on the summer soltice. In Sweden it's even more confusing because they celebrate on the weekend closest to the summer solscite. Confused? I'm not surprised. I as when I first moved to Norway. But my advice is celebrate it whenever you want in the summer. The most important part of it for us in the Nordics is being together and sharing a fun evening and some delicious food.

Of course, there are the usual traditions around food as you see in almost every special day in the Nordics. The focus is all about what is in season right now so lovely fresh produce like salads, strawberries, blueberries and dairy. There are some dishes that my family would be horrified not to see on the buffet on the table, so I want to share with you the dishes that most families in Norway will be enjoying for their midsummer ceebration be it at the cabin, at home or on the beach.

Salads

The abundance of fresh salad leaves and produce that has just been picked can't be ignored. We love to fill the table with crispy lettuce straight from the garden, juicy tomatoes and freshly grilled asparagus. A few Norwegian classics will always have a place:

Potetsalat (Norwegian Potato Salad)

Simple, classic and easy to make ahead. This staple looks good and is a firm favourite. Be sure to make plenty because it will keep for a few days in the fridge and is great for snacking.

Brokkolisalat (Broccoli Salad)

Broccoli, raspberries (yes!), bacon and creme fraiche. It sounds odd, but I promise you that you will love it.

Italiensksalat

This Norwegian salad looks rather like coleslaw but has a creamier dressing. It's something you will find on the shelf of every single supermarket in Norway and is a popular salad on the buffet table.

Grillmat

We've got a bit of a fire theme going on at midsummer so why not light the grill too! Grill food in Norway tends to be simple. We love a few pølse (Norwegian hotdogs), some grilled chicken legs and maybe a few kebabs. Quality over quantity is important and let the meat speak for itself.

Spekemat

If standing over a grill is not your thing (I don't blame you), choose spekemat or cured meats. Cured meats and salmis are wildly popular in Norway. It harks back to the days when it was the only way to preserve meat for the colder winter days and let's face it is delicious! Options might include speck, air dried hams, various salamis and fenelår (air dried leg of lamb). Perfect with a few salads.

Rømmegrøt (Norwegian Sour Cream Porridge)

Yes it seems like an odd choice but in Norway different porridges are eaten right through the year. The summer months are the time when the richest grass is available to the cows and they produce the creamiest milk. In days gone by this would have been needed to be preserved for as long as possible but it would also have been an eagerly anticipated luxury for those working on the summer farms high up in the mountains. Rømmegrøt is a classic porridge made with the richest sour cream and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and a dab of butter. it's usually served with a glass of red cordial and a few slices of fenelår and most often served in the height of the summer. It's a wonderful reminder of Nordic summer traditions.

Kakebord (Cake Buffet)

I don't think my family has ever had a party that doesn't have a kakebord with at least 10 different cakes on it. It's midsummer, let's celebrate and worry about the calories tomorrow! Throw in a little healthy option in the form or a beautifully presented plate of fresh fruit like strawberries and watermelon and then show off a bit with a few Norwegian classic cakes:

Bløtkake (Norwegian Cream Cake)

The famous bløtkake makes an appearance at pretty much every event in Norway. The light sponge is filled with cream and berries and covered in yet more cream. It's usually made several days before the event to give the flavours time to blend and to get that characteristic "bløt" or damp texture. You simply can't have a midsummer party without bløtkake!

Suksessterte

There's no English translation for this cake, but I can confidently assure you that it's deliciuous! The base is chopped almonds in a meringue of a sort. And the top is a creamy concoction of cream and butter. You can find my recipe here, with or without chocolate and orange.

However you choose to celebrate midsummer, do as we do in the Nordics and be sure to take your time, relax and let the longest day of the year be one that you and your family and friends remember with fondness and joy.