Months have gone since my last post and I apologise for that, but I thought that a great way to come back was by presenting you ultimate Danish tradition: Julefrokost or Christmas dinner.
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| Tuborg Julebryg |
In a Dane's year, Christmas is the most festive of all festivities, although I am not quite sure Danes know what Christmas is originally all about. Here in Denmark, the beginning of the winter holidays is signed by the release of Christmas beer or Julebryg. On the first Friday of November, all the breweries that matter hand out litres over litres of tastylicious beer (with an obvious higher percentage of alcohol, just to raise holiday spirit).
That is the beginning of the end: the gigantic Christmas tree in the city hall square is lit up, gløgg and markets pop out everywhere and Danes give up their super healthy lifestyle for two months. Yes, two months, because the Christmas dinner tradition is not just about one evening but there is the dinner at your friends, usually ending in somebody crashing on somebody else's couch, the company dinner traditionally ending in sexual harassment and the family dinner where you can meet remote branches of the family tree you didn't know existed.
That is the beginning of the end: the gigantic Christmas tree in the city hall square is lit up, gløgg and markets pop out everywhere and Danes give up their super healthy lifestyle for two months. Yes, two months, because the Christmas dinner tradition is not just about one evening but there is the dinner at your friends, usually ending in somebody crashing on somebody else's couch, the company dinner traditionally ending in sexual harassment and the family dinner where you can meet remote branches of the family tree you didn't know existed.
Tonight is our turn to throw a Christmas dinner: I set the table with red napkins, candles and shot glasses, the oven has been working the whole afternoon and I (finally) got myself to clean up the apartment. A boatload of work and the absolute idea that the most appreciated item on the table will be the bottle of snaps. Christmas dinners are THE exemplification of Danish drinking habits which, if we don't consider the long-term brain and liver damages, make Danes outgoing and full of feelings they wanna share with you complete stranger.
It must not be all about drinking, you may think, since it's called dinner and you are right. Christmas tables are covered with the most traditional and delicious food: brown bread that goes 200 grams a slice, meatballs and red cabbage. The most fortunates might experience a virtual trip to India by eating herrings in curry sauce or fried fish with remoulade, a curry based dressing. Can someone tell me why curry is a traditional element of Danish cuisine?!?!?! After three and a half years I haven't yet found an explanation to it and this frustrates me!
You cannot say you know what a Danish Christmas dinner is until you tried one, so tonight, I will try to make you a part of it.
Merry Christmas and skål!
In advance, special thanks to:
- Tuborg, because their Christmas beer might not be the best but definitively the one with the best merchandise.
- Rema 1000 and Budget, because when quantity overrules quality they are always there for you.
- Santa Pazienza, because my boyfriend got stuck at work and I had to do all by myself.
- Santa Pazienza, because my boyfriend got stuck at work and I had to do all by myself.
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