Fika Kaffe Klubb

31/12/2021

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE FROM THE NORDIC HEART!!

26/11/2021

LAST CALL TO ORDER YOUR DANISH HEARTS KIT FOR ZOOM CLASS ON DECEMBER 1, 2021
Register for the Zoom Workshop here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206580536947
Purchase your workshop kit here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/935352231/danish-heart-basket-kit-valentine-woven?ref=shop_home_recs_1&crt=1&fbclid=IwAR11-5UjarY2THA6QBnOrYUFDikMsGLdVgRwm3nLHYgkTyJlT2M2i7s7xO0
The listing is for ONE CRAFT KIT containing: white & red cardstock to make 4 Danish Heart Baskets + Handles, complete instructions, a template to photocopy the pattern to make as many heart baskets as you wish.
Cost for the workshop kit is $8.50 plus $1.00 shipping. There is no charge for the Zoom class and it will be a "Craft-along Together" format. I received my kit within 4 days of ordering, but remember, as the holiday season continues, it may take longer to receive your package. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and let's make Danish Woven Hearts together!
Register for the Zoom Workshop here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206580536947
History: The exact age and origin of the tradition of making paper hearts is unknown, but the oldest known pleated Christmas hearts were made by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1860.
What is more satisfying than turning bits of paper into traditional Danish heart baskets? These sweet simple hearts define “hyggelig” - the Danish word for what is cozy, relaxing, and enjoyable. Easy to follow instruction make it easy to learn to weave heart baskets. Everything (except for scissors) is included to make four hearts that measure approximately 4.5” x 4.5” (excluding the handle). The pattern is included. so you can make an endless number of hearts on your own! Fill them with candy... or a yummy cookie.... or a love note. And can you think of a sweeter way to present a gift card?
In Denmark and other Scandinavian countries, these heart baskets are often found hanging on the Christmas Tree.

23/11/2021

Hej Everyone,
Every holiday season, I have a list of crafts/baking that I want to get accomplished by Christmas and this year I am inviting you to join me to craft and bake together on Zoom. This fifth class is baking Lussekatter (St. Lucia Buns) and Swedish Truffles. Go here to register for the class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/214366093757
Here are all the workshops in the series:
#1 Danish Woven Hearts on Wed. December 1st, 6:30 – 8:00 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206580536947
#2 Pepparkakor: Swedish Ginger Cookies on Wed. December 8th, 6:30 - 8:00 (CST) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206599152627
#5 Julverkstad (Christmas Workshop) #5 Lussekatter (St. Lucia Buns) & Truffles on Sat. December 11th, (1:00-3:30) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/214366093757
#3 Make a Scandinavian Gnome on Wed. December 15th, 6:30-8:00 (CST) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206604548767
#4 Orange Pomanders on Wed. December 22nd, 6:30-8:00 (CST) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206607317047
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and let's craft and bake together!

30/10/2021

THE NORDIC FREDAGSKOS/FREDAGSMYS (Cosy Friday)
HAPPY HOUR: The Bloody Vampire Swede
This week's inspiration for Cosy Friday comes from the book Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist, a Swedish Nordic Noir novel about a young girl vampire. The book is the selected novel for my Nordic Noir ReadAlong group; we are discussing it tomorrow, so I will have some tasty snacks to enjoy as we chat about the book!

**The Cosy Friday Menu features a "Bloody Swede" cocktail made with Aquavit and is rimmed with a Dill Bloody Mary Salt and garnished with Shrimp and Lemon Dill Pickle Spears (from Stonewall Kitchen).**
**The cocktail is paired with a Bloody Swede Cheeseball (I added three tablespoons of Bloody Mary Mix and 2 tablespoons Fresh Dill to the cream cheese to give it the right flavor and then rolled it in bacon bits) and served with Grape Tomatoes and Sundried Tomato Basel Wheat Thins.**
**Finally, a bowl of Spicy Tex Mex Snack Mix.**
**I set the scene with a pair of Vampire Gnomes, a Vampire Pub Sign, Spiders, a Spider Web Stand and Spider Scarf Table Topper.**

Do you enjoy Nordic inspired living? Your heritage and family ancestry/history matter and now it is easier than ever to connect with and embrace your Nordic roots by joining my Facebook Group: The Nordic Heart: https://www.facebook.com/groups/553367409116563

28/10/2021

NORDIC LIVING: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTUMN DRINK?
I love Pumpkin Coffee with Pumpkin Creamer and Pumpkin Whipped Cream. Pair that with a Pumpkin Bagel and homemade Pumpkin Cream Cheese and it is a glorious way to start the day or for Fika!
You can find the Pumpkin Whipped Cream at Aldi's.

Do you enjoy Nordic inspired living? Your heritage and family ancestry/history matter and now it is easier than ever to connect with and embrace your Nordic roots by joining my Facebook Group: The Nordic Heart.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/553367409116563

We are a community of like-minded members embracing the best of Nordic living in our hearts and homes. The Nordic Heart Facebook community will help you explore the heart of your heritage and give you ways to infuse your home and life with the warmth and hospitality of the Nordic lifestyle: Weekly online Zoom Fika Time, The Nordic Heart Bokklubb (Book Club), Nordic Food, Recipes, and Menus; Nordic Genealogy Resources and Keepsakes; Nordic Holiday and Seasonal Menus and Crafts; Nordic Chefs and Designers; Nordic Books and Films; and Nordic Customs, Traditions, News and General Resource. Will you join us?

25/09/2021

SELFIE SATURDAY
POST A SELFIE
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

24/09/2021

Minnesota has a rich Swedish history going back hundreds of years. Follow this three-day itinerary to make your visit a smorgasbord of Swedish and other Scandinavian culture, food, historic sites and shopping.

Follow link to read full article:
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/itinerary/take-swedish-heritage-tour-minnesota

22/09/2021

I am pleased to announce that I have created a new Facebook Group: The Nordic Heart. It is a community-based group page featuring posts that explore Nordic foods, ingredients, holidays, designers, customs, traditions, resources and information for those interested in the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland and their impact on the global world.
Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/553367409116563

16/09/2021

Introducing the Nordic Heart Facebook Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/553367409116563

15/09/2021

EMBRACE THE NORDIC LIFESTYLE IN MINNESOTA

Minimalist design, cozy sweaters, cured meats and hygge: The Nordic lifestyle is on trend like never before.

For one of the top places to immerse yourself in Scandinavian culture, food and people in America, look no further than Minnesota. Home to the largest population of Norwegians and Swedes outside of Scandinavia (not to mention an NFL team named the Vikings), the state’s strong Nordic roots are evident and celebrated year-round.

Go here to read the entire article:
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/embrace-nordic-lifestyle-minnesota

13/09/2021

FIKA SWEET to try this week: Cream Filled Donuts!

How to Celebrate Cream Filled Donut Day
Wondering the best way to celebrate this wonderful day? Try out these ways or come up with some other creative ideas:

Eat (and Share) Cream Filled Donuts
The easiest way to celebrate Cream Filled Donut Day is by bringing in a big order of donuts to your work or school where everyone will be sure to appreciate them! Head over to a chain donut shop, such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme or Tim Hortons. Or pop into a locally operated donut shop to support folks in the surrounding community. Grab a dozen (or two!) of cream filled donuts and make everyone’s day a little bit brighter.

Get a Discount on Cream Filled Donuts
Some donut chains have been known to offer discounts or even give aways in honor of days like Cream Filled Donut Day. Try out these international chains to see what offers they might have going to help out the celebration:

Dunkin’ Donuts. The largest donut company in the world, Dunkin’ offers stores in more than 30 countries. Try a Chocolate Cream, Bavarian Cream, Vanilla Cream or Boston Cream donuts.

Tim Hortons. Originating in Canada, this chain has stores in 13 countries around the globe including Saudi Arabia, Mexico, China and the UK. Try out the Boston Cream donut or other seasonal favorites from this delicious donut maker.

Krispy Kreme. This donut chain has been around since. And although they are famous for their plain glazed donuts, they certainly don’t shy away from filling them with cream too! Try a Chocolate Crème Filled Donut, Vanilla Crème Filled Donut or a Dulce de Leche for some delightful caramel flavors.

🍩

06/09/2021

FIKA SWEET to try this week: Coffee Ice Cream!

Coffee and ice cream have both been around for centuries, so it would make sense that combining the two would create ultimate deliciousness.

How to Celebrate Coffee Ice Cream Day
Celebrating Coffee Ice Cream Day is no sacrifice, that’s for sure! People who love coffee and/or ice cream can get a ton of enjoyment out of the day by using these tips for ways to enjoy it:

Eat Coffee Ice Cream
If you want to know how to celebrate this amazing combination of coffee and ice cream, obviously the most basic way to start is by buying a favorite brand of coffee flavored ice cream at any store and digging in. Or, go to your favorite ice cream shop and order a creative combination of coffee ice cream in a cup or a cone.

Host a Coffee Ice Cream Party
Friends who are coffee lovers or ice cream lovers can unite together on this day when invited to a Coffee Ice Cream Party! For those who want to have a fun event, plan ice-cream making as an activity so that guests can help to make and then enjoy eating the delicious product when it is ready.

Ice cream made in a machine can take about 30 minutes, sometimes more, depending on the machine. It will be rather soft at this point, however, so some people like to let it freeze for an hour or two before eating, just to get a better consistency.

Try an Affogato
Literally translated, the word “affogato” means “drowned”. This coffee drink usually consists of a shot of espresso and then a dollop of ice cream (or gelato). It was invented in Italy and became popular sometime around the 1920s. While some people categorize it as a drink, many people think of this coffee ice cream treat as a dessert. This is probably correct, since the largest portion of it is solid and it is eaten with a spoon!

🍦 🎉

30/08/2021

FIKA HABIT to practice this week: Letter Writing!

For hundreds of years communication took place through just a couple of ways, you either sat down and had a conversation with someone or you wrote your thoughts and feelings down on a letter and had it delivered to them by courier. The nature of letters made them incredibly intimate, as each carried the indelible mark of its creator.

Learn about Letter Writing Day
Letter Writing Day is all about paying tribute to the age-old form of communication; letter writing. Letter Writing Day presents you with a great opportunity to reconnect with people that you may not have spoken to for quite some time now. It also helps you to think before you write. With modern connection forms, we don’t tend to reflect and think before we communicate with someone. However, a letter gives you the perfect opportunity to do this.

How to celebrate Letter Writing Day
Get out the pen and paper and start writing! Picking who to write too can often be the hardest thing, but you should select an old friend or family member of any age. For the young it can be novel for them to receive a written personal letter, it’s just something that isn’t done anymore and through doing so you can share with them that unique and personal experience that is receiving a written letter from a loved one. If saved, it’s something you can hold on to long past the time they fade from this earth, and you can’t hold a digital email.

27/08/2021

When I started this page, it was with the intent that it would support a Coffee Tasting subscription product, however, that did not pan out for me, so I am now rebranding to a more global focus of Nordic inspiration with The Nordic Heart.

I will be posting about the Nordic Online Virtual Calendar that will provide you with the online events relating to Nordic culture as well as blogs: The Nordic Pantry, The Nordic Kitchen, and The Nordic Table. I hope you welcome these updates to the page!
Thank you! Romayne

23/08/2021

FIKA SWEET to try this week: Sponge Cake!

Soft, fluffy, and utterly decadent, there’s something undeniably amazing about a well-made sponge-cake. What exactly constitutes a sponge cake varies depending on where in the world you find yourself, but their light and airy texture remains consistent. Sponge Cake Day celebrates this delicious cake and the people throughout the world that love them.

History of Sponge Cake Day
While it’s soft and delicate texture has often been attributed to the Victorians thanks to the Victorian Sponge Cake, in fact, the sponge cake finds its roots in Italy. Sometime in the early 18th century, a respected and wealthy member of the Pallavicini family in Genoa commissioned a cake that was as light and delicate as sea foam. The result was an airy and delectable confection that was known as the Pâte Génoise. This creation would soon come to be known as a ‘sponge cake’.

What set it apart was that it was created without any yeast or leavening agent, instead, taking advantage of the properties of whipped egg whites to add air to the texture of the cake. Its popularity exploded throughout the world, and endless varieties came to pass that were used for every purpose. It would accompany soups and savory dishes, filled with every kind of sweet imaginable.

Today the sponge cake has found itself a staple of English tea, and a welcome addition to any event. You can find sponge cake topped with rich chocolate icing, stuffed with fruit jam, and covered with light lemon icing dusted with confectioners sugar. Sponge Cake Day celebrates its endless variety and the delicious flavors the creative can impart to it.

16/08/2021

FIKA HABIT to practice this week: celebrate National Relaxation Day and have a relaxing Fika outside!

National Relaxation Day is an annual event on August 15th. It was proposed by nine-year-old Sean Moeller of Clio, Michigan in 1985. The event is recognized on social media with the hashtag – which has been used by a range of public institutions, media organizations and charities such as BBC Earth, the Mental Health Foundation, The New Scientist, Sport England and the US Army. National Relaxation Day has also been utilized by Tommy Bahama for marketing purposes. National Relaxation Day is sometimes confused with National Slacker Day, which was created in Britain as a homage to National Relaxation Day.

Learn about Relaxation Day
Have you been feeling stressed lately? This is a feeling that more and more of us are becoming familiar with. Life poses so many challenges nowadays, from looking after children to longer work hours, and it can often feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. This is why Relaxation Day is so important. It gives us the chance to unwind and focus on nothing but pure relaxation.

Relaxation Day is a vital day for everyone. We all need to have a break from time-to-time. We can’t deny that life seems to be lived at a faster pace than ever before. We all have responsibilities. This could be work responsibilities, family responsibilities, financial responsibilities, or a combination of them all! We can put so much stress and pressure on our bodies and minds, and this is why we all need to take time to recuperate so that we do not burn out.

🌸

09/08/2021

09/08/2021

My Roll Cake Day Creation:
Chocolate Glazed Golden Roll Cake with Strawberry Emulsion Whipped Cream and Sliced Strawberries and Mint Leaf Garnish

I love Chocolate Covered Strawberries, so decided to make a Roll Cake that featured that flavor profile.

The Chocolate Glaze is just two ingredients: Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce thickened with powder sugar.

For the Whipped Cream Filling, I flavored it with Lorann Professional Kitchens Strawberry Emulsion Oil which provides a more potent and robust flavor than extract. And, it comes in over 30 flavors!

For the sliced strawberries, I used a Strawberry Slicer that is a great tool that creates beautiful and even sliced strawberries.

And, the Red Drink is Homemade Strawberry Cardamom Schnapps!
Recipe:
4 cups of fresh berries (blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry)
2 tablespoons ground cardamom
3 cups Unspiced Brandy

Put all ingredients in a large mason jar and let stand at room temperature for 1 week. Shake jar every day. Strain through a coffee filter and then pour into a glass bottle and store in the refrigerator.

02/08/2021

FIKA SWEET to try this week: Peach Pie

The peach originated in China and has been cultivated at least since 1000 B.C.E. It has special significance in Chinese culture: the peach has mystical attributes, and supposedly brings luck, abundance and protection.

The peach tree is considered to be the tree of life and peaches are symbols of immortality and unity. Peach blossoms are carried by Chinese brides.

The Romans called the peaches “Persian Apples” naming them after the country that introduced peaches to the West.

Spaniards brought peaches to South America and the French introduced them to Louisiana. The English took them to their Jamestown and Massachusetts colonies. Columbus brought peach trees to America on his second and third voyages.

China is the largest world producer of peaches, with Italy second. California produces more than 50% of the peaches in the United States (and grows 175 different varieties). So many peaches are grown in Georgia that it became known as the Peach State.
True wild peaches are only found in China. Unlike the cultivated fruit, the wild fruit is small, sour and very fuzzy.

🍑

26/07/2021

FIKA SWEET to try this week: Coffee Milkshake!

On National Coffee Milkshake Day. July 26th, drink a cool beverage that will really hit the spot. It’s hot, you love ice cream and you can use a caffeinated, sugary boost. To your rescue comes the delicious, coffee milkshake — a product of sheer human culinary ingenuity. National Coffee Milkshake Day encourages you to enjoy a true coffee milkshake mixed with your favorite ice cream and coffee flavors. Discover the taste of summer!

5 GLOBAL COFFEE MILKSHAKE VARIATIONS
Italian Espresso: Blend with home-brewed espresso and a drop of lemon extract.
Vietnamese Coffee: Blend coconut ice cream, sweetened with condensed milk and dark coffee ice cubes.
Mexican Café de Olla: Use dark-roasted coffee, cinnamon and orange extract.
Moroccan Coffee: Use coffee with cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.
Tennessee Coffee: Add an ounce each of Irish Cream, coffee liqueur and whiskey to your shake.

☕️😌

25/07/2021

Let’s celebrate Rolled Cake Day on August 9, 2021!

You are invited to join Fiona McKinna from (Living a Nordic Life Blog and Facebook Group, Sandefjord, Norway) and Romayne Kilde from (Fika Kaffe Klubb Blog and Webshop, Fargo, ND) in a Rolled Cake Baking Collaboration aka “collab,” that will be hosted on both Instagram and Facebook.

How do I join the Rolled Cake Collab--Instagram?
All you need to do is send Romayne Kilde from the Fika Kaffe Klubb a DM (direct message) on Instagram Messenger stating you want to join the Rolled Cake Collab. You will then be added to a Group Chat with Romayne and Fiona along with all the other participants where you will get updates and further instructions about where, when, and how to post photos of your Rolled Cake! On Instagram, you will use the hash tag:

How do I join the Rolled Cake Collab--Facebook?
On Facebook, we have a dedicated Event Page: https://fb.me/e/1AksYRc2d
Indicate you are “Going” aka “Participating” and then you will see the posts, photos, and pertinent information about the Rolled Cake Collab.

23/07/2021

It is FIKA FRIDAY!!
Have you made Dalgona Coffee? Is is relatively simple and will taste great during these hot summer days!

Dalgona coffee is a beverage made by whipping equal parts instant coffee powder, sugar, and hot water until it becomes creamy and then adding it to cold or hot milk.

Occasionally, it is topped with coffee powder, cocoa, crumbled biscuits, or honey.

It was popularized on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people refraining from going out started making videos of whipping the coffee at home, by hand without using electrical mixers.

The name is derived from dalgona, a Korean sugar sweet, due to the resemblance in taste and appearance, though most dalgona coffee doesn't actually contain dalgona.

21/07/2021

Coffee first. Schemes later.
Leanna Renee Hieber

Leanna Renee Hieber is an actress, playwright, ghost tour guide and the award-winning, bestselling author of over thirteen Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy and Supernatural Suspense novels for adults and teens for Tor, Sourcebooks and Kensington Books as well as the "Dark Nest" Space Opera novellas for Scrib'd.




☕

19/07/2021

Let’s celebrate Sweden's Rulltårtadag (roll cake day) 9 August 2021!

Have you always wanted to make a Roll Cake, but did not know exactly how?

We have posted a great tutorial video with lots of tips for creating a beautiful Roll Cake on the Facebook Rulltårtadag (Roll Cake Day) Event page: https://fb.me/e/1AksYRc2d

Check it out and get all the details on how to participate. Fiona and I are so happy to host the Sweden's Rulltårtadag (Roll Cake Day) Collab and we hope you will join us for this fun, Nordic themed event!

18/07/2021

Let’s celebrate Rolled Cake Day on August 9, 2021!

You are invited to join Fiona McKinna from (Living a Nordic Life Blog and Facebook Group, Sandefjord, Norway) and Romayne Kilde from (Fika Kaffe Klubb Blog and Webshop, Fargo, ND) in a Rolled Cake Baking Collaboration aka “collab,” that will be hosted on both Instagram and Facebook.

What is a Baking Collab?
A Baking Collab is an opportunity for bakers with all skill levels to come together and celebrate a particular theme that is announced by the host(s). The themes range from flavor profiles like lemon, mango, and strawberry, to holidays like Midsummer, April Fool’s, and Easter and even colors like purple or yellow. Our Collab theme is Rolled Cake, and you can bake yours using any flavors you like for the cake and the filling.

How do I join the Rolled Cake Collab--Instagram?
All you need to do is send Romayne Kilde from the (Fika Kaffe Klubb) a DM (direct message) on Instagram Messenger stating you want to join the Rolled Cake Collab. You will then be added to a Group Chat with Romayne and Fiona along with all the other participants where you will get updates. On Instagram, you will use the hash tag:

How do I join the Rolled Cake Collab--Facebook?
On Facebook, we have a dedicated Event Page:
https://fb.me/e/1AksYRc2d
Indicate you are “Going” aka “Participating” and then you will see the posts, photos, and pertinent information about the Rolled Cake Collab.

What are the Post Dates?
You can bake your Rolled Cake any time before the post dates, just be sure to take lots of photos to share with your fellow bakers! The Post Dates (August 6-9, 2021) is when your Hosts (Fiona and Romayne) are requesting you post your photos along with a recipe if you want to share or any details about your creation.

We hope you'll join us for this fun, Nordic themed event!

18/07/2021

FIKA SWEET to try this week: ICE CREAM!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

July 18th is Ice Cream Day! Ice Cream is without a doubt the perfect dessert ever devised. It’s rich and creamy, full of the flavors of summer while being made from the cold like the winter, and is perfect at any time of the year. Ice Cream can be used to make sandwiches or entire cakes, or just eaten as a scoop all on its own. Ice Cream Day celebrates this delicious treat and all the varieties it comes in!

History of Ice Cream Day
We have President Reagan to thank for Ice Cream Day. He wanted to commemorate the treat that more than 90 percent of the population in the United States enjoy, and so he decided he would decree a day for ice cream. He did so in 1984. Doing this actually ended up glorifying the dairy industry in the United States, and so it probably does not come as any surprise for you to learn that American's eat more gallons of ice cream per year than anywhere else in the world.

🍦 🍦