It was my Finnish and Norwegian grandmothers who originally gave me the Sisu to cook. I recall both
grandmothers would show me the baking of breads, cakes and other foods, at a very young age. It
was a normal thing to have fresh baked breads, cakes, on the table at each meal. My grandma Sima,
showed me how to bake a grain bread and Pulla, Kallu, Rhubarb Crisp (Raparperipaistos) and other
sweet treats. Then my grand-mommy Olga, showed me how to bake breads like ; egg bread and
molasses bread and cider donuts. I wish I could of learned so much more from the both of them.
Both have passes away, but their memories will always be with me. By the age of 10, I dove in baked
my first 12 loves, not a pretty site in the kitchen, needless to say my mom was not to happy about the
mess, but, the bread was a hit. So, I have learned, as they did, not to measure or go by a recipe from
a book in cooking breads and other dishes. Though I have received recipes from the Scandinavian
woman from the Scandinavian Club in Fairfield, CT, where always giving me fantastic recipes, that
they have had in their families for years. I used many of those recipes in the dinners that I put on for
the club. .
Cooking for many dinners for parties and events, I am the chef of The Viking Table, it is must to have
the fresh baked breads at the events. I design shapes to the breads to give a interesting and creative
look. The guest, love it. The Coffee table, elaborately laid out the baked items ranging from yeast
coffee breads to fancy filled cakes, is the Finnish way to entertaining quest. The normal custom is to
serve seven baked items, three of them being Pulla, a fancy pretty filled cake, and a wonderful pound
cake, others will be a variety or cookies, lots of color and flavor.
There is a coffee table for every occasion and any reason: After church, after sauna, Christmas
dinner, Easter, and birthdays, anniversaries, weddings to christenings and even funerals ,or just
because.
Living patterns and eating habits of the Finns can be pretty interesting to say the lease. I was told a
few times that I am like Varshogoo is also known as the “Bringer of the Caffeine” and the Pushers of
Sugars.”Well , it is just a must to have coffee and cakes and other sweets.
For most Finns, I know, having an open face sandwich with dried or smoked fish and lingenberg
cheese or salmon piirakka (lohipiirakka) to start the day, forget about a kiss after that one.
Always getting request on my recipes from breads to fish dishes that I have creative over the years. I
enjoy receiving some wonderful recipes from all types of backgrounds. Food is so much fun and
makes people so happy to have a full content belly.
Today there are many recipes for Finnish foods, that you can get in books and the Internet. But I have
not seen anything like what I was shown by my grandmothers.
Many dishes have been created in the Scandinavian countries that in America, some would not even
touch. But, many dishes are a wonderful delight to have at the table, if you are Finnish or not.
I know that grandma Sima, and grand-mommy Olga, would be very pleased that I was learning from
them in the kitchen and not just being a sample tester.
grandmothers would show me the baking of breads, cakes and other foods, at a very young age. It
was a normal thing to have fresh baked breads, cakes, on the table at each meal. My grandma Sima,
showed me how to bake a grain bread and Pulla, Kallu, Rhubarb Crisp (Raparperipaistos) and other
sweet treats. Then my grand-mommy Olga, showed me how to bake breads like ; egg bread and
molasses bread and cider donuts. I wish I could of learned so much more from the both of them.
Both have passes away, but their memories will always be with me. By the age of 10, I dove in baked
my first 12 loves, not a pretty site in the kitchen, needless to say my mom was not to happy about the
mess, but, the bread was a hit. So, I have learned, as they did, not to measure or go by a recipe from
a book in cooking breads and other dishes. Though I have received recipes from the Scandinavian
woman from the Scandinavian Club in Fairfield, CT, where always giving me fantastic recipes, that
they have had in their families for years. I used many of those recipes in the dinners that I put on for
the club. .
Cooking for many dinners for parties and events, I am the chef of The Viking Table, it is must to have
the fresh baked breads at the events. I design shapes to the breads to give a interesting and creative
look. The guest, love it. The Coffee table, elaborately laid out the baked items ranging from yeast
coffee breads to fancy filled cakes, is the Finnish way to entertaining quest. The normal custom is to
serve seven baked items, three of them being Pulla, a fancy pretty filled cake, and a wonderful pound
cake, others will be a variety or cookies, lots of color and flavor.
There is a coffee table for every occasion and any reason: After church, after sauna, Christmas
dinner, Easter, and birthdays, anniversaries, weddings to christenings and even funerals ,or just
because.
Living patterns and eating habits of the Finns can be pretty interesting to say the lease. I was told a
few times that I am like Varshogoo is also known as the “Bringer of the Caffeine” and the Pushers of
Sugars.”Well , it is just a must to have coffee and cakes and other sweets.
For most Finns, I know, having an open face sandwich with dried or smoked fish and lingenberg
cheese or salmon piirakka (lohipiirakka) to start the day, forget about a kiss after that one.
Always getting request on my recipes from breads to fish dishes that I have creative over the years. I
enjoy receiving some wonderful recipes from all types of backgrounds. Food is so much fun and
makes people so happy to have a full content belly.
Today there are many recipes for Finnish foods, that you can get in books and the Internet. But I have
not seen anything like what I was shown by my grandmothers.
Many dishes have been created in the Scandinavian countries that in America, some would not even
touch. But, many dishes are a wonderful delight to have at the table, if you are Finnish or not.
I know that grandma Sima, and grand-mommy Olga, would be very pleased that I was learning from
them in the kitchen and not just being a sample tester.
| INGA OJALA |
Fresh Home Baked Goods
| Certified |
| Upcoming BOOK Art of Scandinavian Cooking with Inga watch for book signing in 2017 and upcoming shows..... |
| UPCOMING COOKING CLASSES (will be posted soon) get on the email request on these classes |
