Finnish summer is known for it’s bright and long nights, sauna and the distinguish aroma of the grill. The scent of charcoal cooked meat will definitely bring those lovely memories to every Finn.
Pack your bags! Summer cottage awaits and relaxing summer holiday starts as soon as the city silhouette has disappeared from the rear view mirror.
Next stop: peace and quiet. But first Finns need to stop at the grocery store to get their summer essentials, steaks and sausages.
Heated grills are the first sign of upcoming Finnish summer. Have you ever barbecued wearing woollen mittens? Well, Finns have. Anticipation of the smoky outdoor feast is palpable.
And it is not only juicy steaks, pork and chicken fillets on the menu. Local vegetables are colourful and full of flavour thanks luminous summer days when the sun does not set.
Amazing ingredients does not need much of a fuss. Just add quality salt and pepper and some oil. For more seasonal flavour try home-made marinade with fresh herbs. Parsley, basil, dill, thyme and rosemary grow in the backyard of the Finnish summer cottage ready for picking.
The secret of Finnish premium ingredients is not so secret: tens of thousands lakes filled with fresh water, crisp and clean air and wild forests and golden fields as far as the eye can see.
Can you already hear the sizzling of barbecue?
Finnish hot dog
4 meaty sausages
4 flat breads “rieska”
salad leaves
quick pickled cucumbers, “granny’s cucumbers”:
1 cucumber
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
mustard-mayonnaise:
1 dl mayonnaise
1-2 tbsp strong mustard
First make the quick pickled cucumbers and mustard-mayonnaise. Slice the cucumber into thin slices and chop the dill. Measure vinegar, water, sugar and salt in a jar and mix until sugar is dissolved. Add cucumber and dill to jar and shake vigorously.
Mix mustard and mayonnaise.
Grill the sausages and warm up the flatbreads in the grill. Spread some mustard-mayonnaise on flatbread and fill with salad leaves, quick pickled cucumbers and grilled sausage.
Finnish hot dog
4 meaty sausages
4 flat breads “rieska”
salad leaves
quick pickled cucumbers, “granny’s cucumbers”:
1 cucumber
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
mustard-mayonnaise:
1 dl mayonnaise
1-2 tbsp strong mustard
First make the quick pickled cucumbers and mustard-mayonnaise. Slice the cucumber into thin slices and chop the dill. Measure vinegar, water, sugar and salt in a jar and mix until sugar is dissolved. Add cucumber and dill to jar and shake vigorously.
Mix mustard and mayonnaise.
Grill the sausages and warm up the flatbreads in the grill. Spread some mustard-mayonnaise on flatbread and fill with salad leaves, quick pickled cucumbers and grilled sausage.