Archive for April, 2009

 Today I made this very old family dessert recipe that was originally from a good friend of my mother’s to have for our coffee break after doing yard work. Spring has sprung and much to do. This is sweet, gooey and oh so good!
 
Bottom layer:

• 1 C flour
• 1/2 C butter
• 1/2 C light brown sugar

Top layer:

• 2 eggs well beaten
• 2 T flour
• 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 C chopped pecans
• 3/4 C coconut flakes*

Do this:
Cream bottom layer ingredients and pat by hand into a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ pan. Bake 10 minutes at 300º F.
While bottom layer is baking, beat eggs and then combine remaining ingredients for top layer (stir in pecans and coconut by hand) and gently spread evenly on baked bottom layer. Bake 325º F for 20 minutes. Do not over bake. Cut when cool and serve with a nice hot cup of Swedish coffee!
You may cut this recipe in half using an 8″ x 8″ pan.

Pat the bottom layer into the pan

Spread top layer carefully on baked bottom
*You may have noticed in this picture that the coconut flakes look a bit different. It is because I used a finely shredded unsweetened coconut that we purchased in Sweden, but it can be purchased at some grocery stores.

Out of the oven and cooling. Cut into squares when cool.

If you have never had the experience of having a cup of Swedish coffee I invite you to give it a try. Mellow, nutty and absolutely wonderful  It is a finer grind than American coffee and much less bitter. 
Our favorite is the fine ground medium roast and is available to purchase online. Gevalia and Löfberg Lila (best price).

Did you know?
Swedes outdrink Americans 2-1 per capita on yearly coffee consumption.

This is a quick sandwich to make for a light supper when you just don’t feel like making a big time consuming meal. This tasty sandwich was introduced to me my by husband who had this many times in Sweden and we make this quite often.  Aromat is made by Knorr and can now be found in the spice section of most grocery stores. We use Swiss cheese for this sandwich when we are out of our favorite Swedish cheeses  - Prästost and Herrgård which can be purchased online at ScandiaFood.com

Most Swedish sandwiches are open face with the exception of baguettes and the Smörgastorta (sandwich cake).

Butter the white bread and add the ham and sliced tomato

Place a thin slice of Swiss cheese on top of sandwich

Bake in 425º oven until cheese is bubbly and browned

Sprinkle Aromat on sandwich and enjoy!

Ingredients:
per sandwich

• white bread, buttered
• 2 slices thin deli smoked ham
• sliced tomato
• Swiss cheese
• Aromat seasoning

Do this:
Butter bread and place 2 thin slices of deli ham on bread. Top with 2 slices of tomato and Swiss cheese. Bake in cookie sheet in 425º oven for 10-12 minutes and then put under broiler until cheese just starts to turn brown. Sprinkle with Aromat for added flavor. Serve with a big glass of cold milk!