The Great Scandinavian Baking Book
by Beatrice Ojakangas
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Book Reviews of The Great Scandinavian Baking Book
Book Review: Captures the Essence of Scandinavian Baking
Summary: 4 Stars
You do not have to be of Scandinavian decent to enjoy "The Great Scandinavian Baking Book." I am a huge proponent of the long-term benefits of teaching children to cook, so I am always looking for recipes that are simple enough for children to prepare, yet delicious enough to inspire repeat performances. I also love the idea of passing down traditions that represent one's own heritage. The book fulfilled one of the two motivating factors behind my purchase.
Although most of the recipes in this book are too complicated and labor intensive to hold the attention of a young child (with a few exceptions, like the magnificent 6 ingredient butter cookie), some of the recipes, especially those that are designed to serve during the holidays, have the potential of becoming household traditions worthy of passing down to your children and grandchildren.
The only downside of the book is that you will need to purchase special cookware for some of the recipes (a simple warning to those who are unfamiliar with Scandinavian baking techniques); and if you are inclined to try recipes based on the accompanying illustrations, you will have to use your imagination instead, because the cover illustration is not representative of the interior design (which is the only reason I settled on 4 stars rather than 5).
Christine Miller coauthor of Bestemor's Brown Bread
Bestemor's Brown Bread
Book Review: An Addictive Baking Book
Summary: 5 Stars
The Great Scandinavian Baking Book is an addictive collection of recipes from author Beatrice Ojakangas. From Cardamom Coffeebread (Pulla) and Sweet Cream Waffles to Danish Strawberry Scones (Kraemmerhuse) and almond glazed Swedish Tea Rings (Vetekrans), once you start baking from this book you'll have a hard time putting it away. I was delighted with everything I made and appreciated how Ojakangas introduced me to the many delectable ways Scandinavians use cardamom in their baking. Her recipes are easy to follow and accompanied by conversational intros that share cultural tidbits or serving tips. Although there are no photos in this book, when more complicated steps are required to complete a recipe the how-to portion is frequently illustrated with helpful diagrams. The lack of photographs is really the only thing about it I didn't absolutely adore about the book, which will make a welcome addition to any kitchen and is appropriate for beginner and experienced bakers alike. You'll revel in the heavenly aromas emanating from your oven, not to mention the baked goods you'll soon be enjoying with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
Chapters: Breads for Meals, Breads for Coffeetime, Cookies and Little Cakes, Cakes and Tortes, Pastries and Pies, Savory Pies and Filled Breads. Chapters about mail order sources, baking tips and ingredients are also included.
Book Review: One of the best baking books I own!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the older hardcover version of this cookbook that was issued in 1988 and there probably is not a lot of difference between the two versions. I highly recommend this cookbook for two reasons. First of all, it is written by Beatrice Ojakangas who, in my opinion, is the queen of all recipe book writers:) I own a number of her cookbooks and she writes in a very clear, concise way. All of her recipes are accompanied by a cultural anecdote or an informative note or two about the recipe so that you feel that you own more than a cookbook - you gain an insight into the Scandinavian culture and way of life.
Secondly, and just as important, the recipes in this book are simply delicious. They run the gamut from breads and rolls to mouth watering pastries, both sweet and savoury. I had seen the many shapes that Danish pastry came in and they looked somewhat daunting to prepare but, in her book, Ms Ojakangas provides easy to follow diagrams that made them a breeze to shape. Being a chocoholic, I never thought that desserts could be tasty unless they were loaded down with the stuff. I stand corrected!:)
Again, I highly recommend this book. The recipes are delicious and it is an excellent book for anyone who has ever felt daunted by baking. Well done!
Book Review: Very interesting baking book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is somewhat different than other cookbooks I have reviewed. There are no photos to assist with presentation, and the recipes are sparsely illustrated.
The book is different from other Scandinavian cookbooks that I own as well in that they tend to omit insular areas, focusing exclusively on Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. This book covers Iceland as well. The recipes here also range from main dish mushroom pies to cookies, and from crackers and breads to cakes. The diversity in the cookbook is astounding in recipe types as well as geography.
Instead of a photograph, each recipe includes a brief set of notes about how the recipe fits into the food culture where it comes from. In many ways, this is more helpful than a photograph anyway, as long as one has other cookbooks which have such photographs of Scandinavian foods and how they are decorated. (For those, I'd recommend: Authentic Norwegian Cooking and The Cooking of Scandinavia - Foods of the World Series.)
Highly recommended.
Book Review: Just What I Was Looking For
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always wanted to learn more about Scandinavian cooking in general because of my Swedish ancestry, so when I saw this book on amazon and read the great reviews I had to buy it!
The majority of the recipes have simple ingredients. They use a lot of butter, eggs, almonds, cardamom and raisins. Cardamom seems to be used like American's use vanilla, in almost every recipe. I also found several recipes from my childhood, including a gingerbread house, spritz cookies and peppernuts.
The Contents:
Introduction
Ingredients
Mail Order Sources (I was able to find the more hard-to-find ingredients, like pearl sugar, golden syrup and almond paste online.)
Baking Tips
Bread For Meals
Breads For Coffeetime
Cookies And Little Cakes
Cakes And Tortes
Pastries And Pies
Savory Pies And Filled Breads
Index
The book doesn't include pictures, only illustrations on how to shape the different breads, cookies, etc.
Before every recipe the author includes information about the history of the recipe or how it's used today. Very interesting to read and great recipes!