Oven Christmas Porridge

‘Oven Christmas Porridge during the days that lead up to Christmas’

It is tradition in Finland to eat rice porridge in the morning of the 24th, Christmas eve. The one who finds the hidden almond in the porridge is blessed with luck to the upcoming year. Traditionally the rice is cooked slowly in whole milk (constantly stirring) and served with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dollop of butter. This tradition is not a must in our household but I do love a cozy rice porridge during the dark mornings leading up to Christmas. My favorite eve tradition with hubby (before visiting family) is to have a frothy coffee in bed with candle lights listening to Christmas songs and taking a long dog walk in the forest before all the hassle starts. Currently it is so dark outside, you easily forget is it morning or night time! Beautiful flowers can overcome these dark December days, just look at the coloring of this antique looking amaryllis? A few buds are still closed up, but these open ones are just magnificent. I love the muted pink and soft greens, really elegant as a flower itself. A couple of bouquets of amaryllis stems would look sophisticated in a table setting, paired with pine or eucalyptus for a softer look.

This 2.0 rice porridge is exemplified with various festive spices and is cooked slowly in the oven so it is gooey and oh so amazing. It doesn’t need stirring (only a few times in the beginning), and it cooks in 175 Celsius degrees for an hour and a half. Not only does it make the kitchen smell of cinnamon, but it tastes hearty and comforting as it should. Keeping in mind, Christmas may be a hard time for many out there so a little soulful food in the morning, is not such a bad idea.

Oven Porridge

• 2 dl rice porridge

• 1L whole fat milk

• Pinch of salt

• Butter to grease the oven dish

• ½ cup frozen berries of choice I used a mixture of frozen lingonberry and blueberry that we picked over the summer)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional: plus 1 cinnamon stick)

• 1 teaspoon cardamum

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste

Toppings

• Pecan nuts

• Brown sugar

• dates

Directions

Begin by greasing the oven dish. Add in all the ingredients and give a little stir. Do not be alarmed by the liquid consistency. Do not put the toppings yet. Place the lid on and put into the oven for 1.5 hours. After 1 hour, add on the toppings; arrange the pecans and dates and sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top. Place it back into the oven for another 30min before serving. Once ready to eat, serve with fresh berries of choice and a little bit more of cinnamon. I would have served this with fresh figs, but did not have any in the store so blueberries will do.

Apricot Cream cheese Toast

‘Apricot toast on a bed of grass’

As the summer season comes to an end, the waves at our summer house start to get stronger with the breeze of a gentle autumn wind. The weather however, is still warm enough to enjoy breakfast outside and those little chills are warmed up by some piping hot espresso. One of my favorite spots at our summer house is in the empty woods in our garden where the hay is overgrown and wildflowers come and go as they please. Not only is it home to the most gorgeous porcini mushrooms, but it also inhabits so many birds that are a blessing to listen to. A collection of rocks and sand makes up the bordering of the water making it a cozy little spot to enjoy a picnic. This morning I gently caramelized halved apricots in honey, thyme and butter with a pinch of cardamum, maybe for about five minutes or so. I let them get a bit mushy and spread them on top of some toasted rustic sourdough bread that was smeared with cream cheese. To balance the sweetness, I squeezed a bit of lemon juice on top and added a few eatable flowers on top as we happen to have some growing on our porch. As our Bialetti espresso stove cooker came to a boil, I put everything into a little basket and headed out to enjoy these last warmer moments that will keep me going through out the darker autumn. Accompanied by Siena, we sat and listening to nature around us watching the waves crash against the lakes near us.

Autumn Spice Yogurt

These caramel apples work wonderfully on toast, porridge and even as a base for apple pie. You can essentially use whatever spices you please, but I wanted to highlight the flavors of autumn that maximise ze warmth and comfort. These apples are also from our neighbours apple tree at the countryside, which are lovely and small with a tangy slightly sweet flavour vor to them. I prefer to leave the skin on, but you can either peel and also use which ever apples you prefer. This little breakfast spot is by the corner of our shed at our country house. I just love the distraught wood and the dark backdrop it provides during autumn. After summer when everything is bright, airy and light, I crave for more darker spaces and moody imagery when autumn is upon us. Now, let’s begin by making the easiest sweet apples that are dressed in the most delightful spices.

Caramelised apples in Autumn Spices

• 2 cloves

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon cardamum

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

• Apples slices

• 1 tablespoon of butter

Yogurt bowl

• Cashews

• Gooseberry

• Yogurt of choice

• Herbs for garnishing (optional)

Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter to it. Once melted, add the apple slices, honey and spices. Gently mix and let it cook for under 10 minutes with a lid on. If the consistency looks too dry, add a little bit of water so it steams and realizes all the spices from the bottom of the pot.

Add some yogurt into a bowl and drizzle the apples slices (and juices) on top. Add some gooseberries (or whatever berry is in season where you live) and some toasted cashews. I added a few twigs of herbs in the end to add a bit of freshness and color.

To toast the cashews, add some cashews (gently broken) onto a dry pan with a little bit of salt flakes. Cook for a few minutes until the receive a bit of color and remove to the side.

Simple Fig Toast & Tablescape Inspo

Nestled within the embrace of a cozy cocoon while the world outside glistens under a pristine blanket of snow, our home exudes an enchanting ambiance infused with the lingering aroma of fresh pine, courtesy of our resplendent Christmas tree. With the holiday drawing near, a profound inspiration blossoms, inspired by the allure of deep, opulent colors that weave a captivating spell across our surroundings. As we transition into the realm of culinary indulgence, savoring a simple fig toast emerges as an artful and sophisticated means of elevating our morning routine. The natural sweetness of figs, delicately harmonizing with the perfectly toasted slice, yields a culinary masterpiece that effortlessly marries simplicity with refined taste. This intersection of sensory delights transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, where the magic of the season converges with the joy of palate-pleasing elegance.

The tree, standing proudly in the heart of the living room, evokes a sense of enchantment, infusing the atmosphere with a delightful festive spirit. My musings on the impending Christmas Day table setting lean towards an artistic creation—an envisaged tablescape crafted from the verdant embrace of pine and eucalyptus, punctuated by the delicate presence of hyacinths and the soft glow of scattered candles. The vision, still taking shape, hints at the allure of thick ribbons and cherished antique plates, promising a dining experience that transcends the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary.

In our festive abode, figs emerge as indispensable treasures, transforming our holiday culinary canvas into a celebration of opulence. These succulent jewels, versatile in their ability to elevate both savory and sweet dishes, become the epitome of Christmas indulgence. A mere whisper of luxury unfurls in the simplicity of a cream cheese toast adorned with velvety orange marmalade and crowned with slices of figs—a morning or evening delicacy that materializes in mere seconds. As a final touch, a sprig of fresh thyme, plucked from our herb haven, imparts an herbaceous essence to this gastronomic masterpiece. The alchemy lies in the generous union of cream cheese and jam, harmoniously dancing with the figs to orchestrate a symphony of flavors. With the fig-adorned feast savored, the scene transitions seamlessly into a cozy evening, adorned with the fragrant task of arranging hyacinths in dainty pots and the tender ritual of bathing our little one. The ambiance is further enhanced by the commencement of my husband's Christmas holidays, promising an intimate and tranquil evening within the warmth of our festive haven.

Simple Fig Toast

• Cream Cheese

• Orange marmalade

• Fresh Figs

• Thyme twig

when your hyacinths become too tall in the bulb, snip them into vases

lovely deep coloured festive flowers