Welcome to Smak - A Taste Of My Life. For the past couple of years I've documented my food experiences with just a camera but now I've decided to share much more. Stories, dining experiences, recipes, and even product reviews are included along with my own ramblings.
A sinful cinnamon-Sunday

A sinful cinnamon-Sunday

If you have to ask just how many calories are in this then this little piece of heaven is not for you!  On a serious note though, those that are trying to watch their calorie intake might not want to read on because these are terrible for you.  They pair...
Hallowe'en Cupcakes

Hallowe’en Cupcakes

The one thing I push myself to do for Hallowe’en is bake.  Although not exactly a hugely popular holiday/festivity here in Norway the interest is definitely growing.  Being from Canada I remember my neighbourhood slowly but surely exploding with Hallowe’en decorations in early October.  In our town we’re known for...
A little taste of home - Pierogi

A little taste of home – Pierogi

Once a year when several types of Norwegian potatoes are harvested I go to town and make and freeze several dozens of these wonderful things.  My love for pierogi (or pyrohy) began early as a child.  At 27 I still have vivid memories of helping my grandmother make these in...
My Jiaozi - Recipe and tutorial

My Jiaozi – Recipe and tutorial

Potstickers, jiaozi, or gyoza – Whatever you call them these dumplings are irresistible!  During my last week of vacation I decided to stay home and concentrate on preparing my favourite foods that will last us through the next couple of months.  One of my husband’s requests was jiaozi.  I usually...
Pannekaker (Norwegian Pancakes)

Pannekaker (Norwegian Pancakes)

It’s not very often that I make pancakes (perhaps once every two months?) but it is something I do enjoy making because it’s easy, economical, and I know the kids will eat it.  Norwegian pancakes are more like crepes and definitely not like North American flapjacks.  They can be eaten...
Breakfast @ Rica Hotel Kungsgatan - Day #1

Breakfast @ Rica Hotel Kungsgatan – Day #1

So here it is – My first breakfast here in Stockholm.  Clockwise – Lowfat yoghurt with raspberry compote and musli, flax seed, and pumpkin seed, Swedish cinnamon bun, wholegrain bun with chorizo and cucumber, and delicious “Rica Bread” with smoked salmon.  Since we’re here in Stockholm I thought I would...
Birthday breakfast-brunch!

Birthday breakfast-brunch!

I bought pasta last week just to have it in the pantry.  We rarely eat pasta, but on those days when I’m alone and I don’t feel like cooking but do want a decent meal (more than a quick sandwich) I try to mix leftovers or whatever’s still in the...
Chipotle Pork Burger

Chipotle Pork Burger

I admit the name of this recipe might hint to a cholesterol-hell type suicide, but fear not for this burger is lean and doesn’t let down in the flavour department.  I had some leftover ground-pork sitting the fridge and decided I would attempt a burger for myself while the others...
Meze Menyen (Moderne Meze)

Meze Menyen (Moderne Meze)

On Wednesday June 8, 2011 I had the pleasure of creating and serving a Meze-inspired menu to the good folk up at NCP.  We were so lucky to have gorgeous weather that day and it only made the experience that much more satisfying.  For over a week I planned, shopped,...
Den 17. mai

Den 17. mai

Seeing as how it’s the national day (Norway’s Constitution Day) over here I thought I would make an effort and bake something we could all enjoy.  (With the exception of myself – Bad sinus infection (which turned out to be bronchitis) = no sense of taste/smell for days!)  I decided...
Tomato Soup - The ultimate comfort food?

Tomato Soup – The ultimate comfort food?

It’s been a rough couple of months on my body.  I’ve been sick more times than I like and sometimes the only thing I could push myself to eat was soup.  Whether I could taste it or not, soup is just one of those comforting foods that always makes you...
Raspberries

Raspberries

Pasta - A rare but heavenly indulgence!

Pasta – A rare but heavenly indulgence!

In our home pasta makes it to the dinner table possibly no more than ten times a year if that.  While I sometimes do eat pasta or protein salads with pasta perhaps around twenty times a year, it’s not something I often have on hand and rarely attempt feeding my...
A Satisfying Salad

A Satisfying Salad

From March 13th, 2011: Our Sunday lunch: A mixed salad of leafy greens, veg, and spiced chicken. The main body of the salad: radicchio, alfalfa sprouts, “crispy” salad leaves, and watercress. Vegetables: sliced red onion, quatered cherry tomatoes, and sliced avacado. The chicken has been seasoned with a triple-pepper mix,...
Sophie-cakes

Sophie-cakes

When it comes to baking with the kids the easiest thing I can think of are cupcakes and muffins.  The kids love being involved and there’s minimal mess.  And since it’s a small hand-held portion the kids finish them up and often ask for another.  With a slice of cake...
Sunday - A day for rest and bread baking

Sunday – A day for rest and bread baking

Every second Sunday I bake bread.  I’ll mix all the dry ingredients (flour, yeast, seeds) and then pour in the water.  At this point I’m calm.  Then the kneading starts – It’s a 10 minute race to beat the clock because at any point the kids will come upstairs and...
Crouton-deluxe

Crouton-deluxe

The truth is that I don’t eat much bread at all.  This isn’t because of some crazy low-carb fad but most likely due to the fact we ate more rice and cereal growing up.  When I do eat bread however I really try to dress it up.  One of my...
Waffles Pt.2

Waffles Pt.2

I decided to divide this post into two parts because there’s so much more to consider about this small little meal. Norwegian waffles (depending on the batter type) can be crisp and fluffy in the middle, but can also be thick and sometimes heavy. They will never have a texture...
Waffles Pt.1

Waffles Pt.1

Every Sunday I wake up early and pull out our waffle iron. Even if I’ve had an exhausting and physically/mentally demanding weekend at work, our small family tradition is something I look forward to. The kids wake up early, hop on the counter, and help their mum stir the waffle...
Latest entries
Revisiting South Beach

Revisiting South Beach

I realize it’s been a while since I really posted anything about food but just know that a few things are in the works.  Being sick, sustaining yet another back/pelvic injury, and just deciding to live life for once has completely put my online efforts on hold.  If you look to your left you’ll notice...

Happy Waffle Day!

Happy Waffle Day!

It’s March 25th which means it’s Waffle Day here in Norway.  Although the day has its roots from the Swedish tradition Norwegians break out their waffle irons and make waffles as well.  As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, waffles are actually a Sunday tradition in our household.  By this point waking up early every Sunday...
Reindeer stew

Reindeer stew

Today’s dinner – Finnbiff (thinly shaved/sliced reindeer meat) with potatoes, veg, and tyttebær (lingonberry) jam.
Veggie-Chili Stuffed Peppers

Veggie-Chili Stuffed Peppers

With an abundant amount of veggie chili leftover from my previous recipe, I decided to take things once step further and try out a stuffed pepper dish.  Stuffed peppers aren’t exactly on my list of all-time favourites, but they’re filling and they’re extremely economical.  Since I had so much leftover chili and a few bell...
Quick Vegetarian Chili

Quick Vegetarian Chili

Although my attempts to reintroduce Meatless Mondays back into our house have been half-failed, I’ve still been turning out new dishes that focus not only on meatless options, but healthy and nutritious alternatives as well.  This morning when I stood up it was -8 and snowing.  The only dish I could think of that could...
Popular Norwegian Easter Treats (Video)

Popular Norwegian Easter Treats (Video)

I plan to upload a slightly more in-depth post about Norwegian Easter food but here’s a quick clip of popular Norwegian Easter treats.  Please mind the quality!  I had to take this very quickly at work!  
Fetetirsdag (Fat Tuesday)

Fetetirsdag (Fat Tuesday)

Here in Norway Fat Tuesday is big.  It’s actually one of the bigger and more traditional (food-wise) holidays people observe.  Despite the fact that many Norwegians are very disconnected from the Church, they still observe their Christian holidays but as tradition.  Infact when my husband came home and said, “Oh, pancakes?” it was quite obvious...
No3 is not #1 for lunch.

No3 is not #1 for lunch.

So where did it all go wrong and did it ever go right?  How could something as simple as a lunch service be so disappointing and almost offensive?  At the end of our meal I had to politely excuse myself and quietly vomit in embarrassment.  With all the built-up hype and hopes I had for...
Fiskegrateng - Fish pie

Fiskegrateng – Fish pie

Ahhhh fiskegrateng.  One of those traditional Norwegian dishes that everyone will eat even if one is not keen on fish.  With that being said, fiskegrateng is not something we eat at all in our household!  I love fish but  I’m not a huge fan of macaroni (although a fantastic egg-pasta is heavenly) and for some...
New Year's Eve Mini Feast!

New Year’s Eve Mini Feast!

When I approached Ørjan about our NYE menu he said I could make anything.  It’s usually sushi but this year I planned ahead and organized my time well enough that I had 3 evenings to make anything possible.  It’s been a while since he ordered Chinese, so I decided to go with three of our...
Nyt Julen (Christmas Yoghurt)

Nyt Julen (Christmas Yoghurt)

Each year Tine comes out with a Christmas variant of their 4-pk yoghurt.  While I do enjoy their dessert yoghurts this one in particular isn’t really a favourite.  This year’s 4 flavours were almond and marzipan, hazelnut and walnut, dark chocolate, and caramel.  I honestly thought the almond yoghurt to be bland, the hazelnut yoghurt...