A Real Taste of Scandinavia in Portland
The days of the American Swedish smorgasbord restaurant pretty much peaked and waned along with ABBA’s radio airtime. For decades the American idea of Scandinavian cuisine has been little more than a cliché punch line. Fortunately, that’s all changing.
Your friends at Sur Flicka recently had the opportunity to re-visit Broder, an old-world chic Swedish restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Aside from the hip, yet truly genuine atmosphere, what really makes Broder unique are the delicately authentic Scandinavian flavors.
Sure, you’ll find overtly Scandinavian items like swedish meatballs and aebleskivers on the menu, and don’t get us wrong they’re all great. But the real gems are Broder’s breakfasts, especially the Pytt i Panna – a traditional Swedish breakfast hash with a perfect balance of flavor that evokes a real sense of Scandinavia.
So now you’re dying to try it, right? Check out Broder on the web at http://www.broderpdx.com/about
Candles on her head…What?!
In Scandinavia, December 13 means only one thing – the annual Sankta Lucia celebration.
You may have seen the iconic Scandinavian Luciatåg lead by the year’s elected Lucia wearing a crown of candles on her head. You may have watched the Lucia pageant and sung along with 
the classic Lucia songs. What you may not know is that Saint Lucia’s day has a dark history.
Saint Lucia’s day was historically observed on the shortest day of the year. Why the shortest (and darkest) day of the year, you ask?
Well, Lucia, the patron saint of the blind is named after the Latin word for light. That sounds nice so far. But why is Lucia often portrayed in medieval art without eyes? We’ll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say, as the legend goes Lucia chose to give up her eyes rather than her principles.
Leave it to the Scandinavians to turn a dark and morose historical account into a symbol of hope, unity, and rebirth. It really is all about perspective. Happy holidays and glad jul!
Farfar Would Love this Board
While checking out the local Sunday market, your friends at Sur Flicka were drawn to a wild display of candy colored disks and a rainbow of glossy wood grains from honey yellow, to deep red, to chocolate brown. It was time to investigate.
What we found was Erickson Longboards- a cool collection of incredibly unique vintage styled skateboards made by Bill Erickson, a local Swedish-American craftsman.
Bill crafts high quality longboards from sustainable and reclaimed hardwoods. Each hand-built board is a uniquely created work of art that would look just as good cruising down the street as it would next to your Hans Wegner table.
Take it from Bill, “No lift ticket, roof rack or bulky clothing required. They’ll match your vintage furniture!” Plus you’ll look cool hanging ten.
Check out Erickson Longboards and Bill will set you up with a board that Farfar would be proud of!
…and when you’re done picking out your longboard,pick up one of Sur Flicka’s farfar surfklubb tees to accessorize your ride with – on sale now $18!
A Thai Twist on Scandinavian Cuisine – Part 2
Sur Flicka is serious about doing its part in the fight against Scandinavian cuisine discrimination (you know the old stereotype – lutefisk, boiled meat, bland potatoes…)
As promised, here’s the second in our series of Scandinavian recipes with a Thai twist created by Chef Pranee Halvorsen.
I’m sure your Morfar and Mormor can turn some cod into a mean serving of fiskefrikadeller or fiskbullar, but this spicy salmon fishcake would knock those ladies right out of their socks.
TOD MAN PLA SALMON
Pranee adapted this recipe from her mom’s famous fish cake. This dish is rich with flavors and fragrance. Oven baking makes it lighter than traditional deep-fry method. When the fish cakes are served with cucumber salad and sweet chili sauce, the hot, sweet and sour taste will awaken all one’s senses.
Servings: 10 to 12 persons (Yield: 3 cups to makes 12 patties)
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
5 shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2 tablespoons red curry paste
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1½ pounds salmon
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
¼ to ½ cup coconut cream (the creamy part from the top of coconut milk can)
10 basil leaves or 4 fresh Kaffir lime leaves, chiffonade
7 green beans, sliced
1 cup breadcrumbs or as needed
Peanut oil or corn oil for deep-frying
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
In a food processor, put in shallots, garlic, red curry paste, cilantro, salmon, sugar, light soy sauce, salt, egg and coconut cream. Let it blend for 5 seconds.
Put the fish mixture in a bowl and mix in shredded basil leaves and green beans with a solid wooden spoon until it is blended. Let the mixture stand in refrigerator for 15 minutes or longer. Test by pan-frying a small portion first. If the batter is too soft, stir in some Panko breadcrumbs. Use ice cream scooper to scoop the mixture into a bowl of breadcrumbs, cover the mixture well with breadcrumbs and pat to hamburger-like to make a fish cake patty with a ¼ inch thickness and put on the baking sheet. Repeat the process until the mixture is gone.
Heat the frying pan with 2 tablespoons cooking oil and pan-fry fish cake on each side until golden yellow and set aside on a baking sheet until all are done. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Serve with cucumber salad and sweet chili sauce from recipes below.
NAM JIM TUA PAI
Sweet Chili Sauce
Yield: 1½ cups
Preparation: 10 minutes
3 tablespoons garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup sweet chili sauce
1/3 cup vinegar or more if needed
¼ cup ground peanuts
¼ cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper as needed
In a frying pan over medium heat, fry garlic with canola oil until light yellow to golden.
Whisk all ingredients in small bowl to blend. Set aside.
.
© 2010 Pranee Khruasanit Halvorsen – used with permission
Pranee teaches Thai cooking classes in the Seattle area. Her website is: I Love Thai cooking.com.
Stay tuned for the next recipe in the series. Hej då!
NEW designs from Sur Flicka
Check out the latest and greatest from Sur Flicka and get 20% Off your next order* of $30 or more. Use discount code SUMMER at check out.
the NORSK tee is here
We’ve received countless requests from our Norwegian fans and we’ve listened. Sur Flicka introduces the new norsk tee. Wear it with pride whether you’re Norwegian, or just a fan of the Viking lifestyle. Shop it! >>>
Check out the new version of the svensk tee >>>
dansk in grey
The dansk tee now available in unisex heather grey >>>
banan at home
Sur Flicka takes it’s designs to the couch >>>
*Discount good through Augut 31, 2o11.
The Swedish Mule!
With the Summer Solstice here, it’s a good time to start planning your midsommar festivities this weekend. If you’re looking for a cool new addition to the traditional snaps and akvavit, sur flicka has a suggestion.
Sur Flicka teamed up with local Swede John Lundin of Bluewater Organic Vodka to bring you the exclusive recipe for this summer’s signature cocktail – the Swedish Mule.
Swedish Mule
1 oz Bluewater Organic Vodka
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz Elderflower Syrup
3 oz ginger beer
Combine in a cocktail shaker. Shake to mix well, and serve over crushed ice
To learn more about Bluewater, visit their website at www.bluewatervodka.com
Get Ready for Some Brand New Designs!
Sur Flicka will be unveiling two brand new designs at the Seattle Nordic Heritage Museum’s Viking Days on July 16th and 17th. To make room for these new designs, some of our classics will regrettably have to be closed out.
So what does this all mean for you? Be sure to come see us at Viking Days to get some great deals on the discontinued designs and to be the first to see the new stuff.
If you just can’t wait, here’s a hint: You’ve seen Sur Flicka’s Svensk and Dansk designs. As a Norwegian you might have felt a little left out. Well, Norwegians, this just might be your year.
The new designs and the clearance sale will be available on the Sur Flicka website shortly after their debut at Viking Days.
Vi ses i juli!
WORD.
Sur Flicka stumbled upon this “word cloud” site when working on something completely unrelated today. Hahaha… you can call it one of those bing moments, I guess. We ended up making this cool word art inspired by Sur Flicka designs. If you haven’t seen this before you can check it out here. Word up, yo.
Not Your Typical First Aid Kit
…it’s the kind where the “stripes” of Detroit (by way of Nashville) and Stockholm collide. What the heck are we talking about? A First Aid Kit track produced by Jack White of The White Stripes. Sur Flicka just picked this up and was blown away by the strong vocals, harmonies and vintage rockabilly-esque sound. We just love pleasant surprises 
Check it out here >>
Sur Flicka in Atomic Ranch
Well, kind of. There’s a Sur Flicka ad in the current Winter edition of Atomic Ranch magazine. The magazine embraces Scandinavian design from the mid-century modern era and today. It’s definitely a Sur Flicka Favorite!
To check out Atomic Ranch, visit www.atomic-ranch.com
Now Available: hus limited edition original print
Introducing hus, the first in our series of hand-screened mid century modern prints!
Each design is limited to a run of just 50 numbered prints. If you miss your chance to buy one don’t blame us.
New Jul Holiday Card
What better way to spend a snow day!! …drinking Glögg and saying “Glad Jul” to your family and friends with Sur Flicka’s new holiday cards. Check ‘em out here >>
An Oldie, but a Goodie
November 17, 2010 - Earlier this year Sur Flicka attended a launch reception for Rejuvenation’s new Hourglass Family light fixture line. We fell in love instantly, of course, with its mid-century modern iconic style. The Scandinavian inspired design is based on the 1959 Stockholm series manufactured by EJS lighting. The lighting line’s quirky names like Spektr and Galaxy reflect their space-aged and streamlined profile just like the originals. To the right is a picture of the Spektr installed at Sur Flicka’s HQ’s. Check out the entire Hourglass line at Rejuvenations’ website.
Sur Flicka introduces…Tygkassar!
November 14, 2010
Sur Flicka introduces…Tygkassar!
So, you’re wondering what tygkassar are. Well, they’re versatility, style, environmental responsibility. And with five different designs, they’re a pretty cool way to express yourself.
Visit Sur Flicka at Yule Fest
November 4, 2010 – Sur Flicka and The Seattle Nordic Heritage Museum invites you begin the holiday season at this year’s YULE FEST on Saturday and Sunday, November 20 and 21, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This popular Nordic Christmas celebration offers hundreds of hand-crafted gifts, festive Scandinavian musical performances, and traditional Nordic cuisine that will inspire holiday cheer. Santa will also be visiting the Museum for YULE FEST, and the Tomten will be hanging out at the Sur Flicka booth.
Check us out! Lean more by visiting the Nordic Heritage Museum website.
