Norwegian Delicacies Foreigners Can't Stomach

[wa3zrm]

The Local ^ |

Norwegian cuisine is generally sneered at by the country's Scandinavian neighbours. This is unfair, as some of it is very tasty. But here's a list The Local has put together of 15 dishes foreigners find particularly challenging.
The list, available here, mixes outlandish dishes made from things like sheeps' heads or fermented fish, with the boring but unpalatable, drawing on a group of Oslo expats for their opinions.
Feel free to comment on any glaring omissions or complain about unfairly maligned favourites.

[wa3zrm]

'It's Time the French Quit Bashing British Food'
The Local ^ |

Are the French developing a secret fondness for British cuisine? And will they ever admit it? Paris-based blogger Naomi Firsht explores this spikey issue in the first of a new series that will see The Local France team up with some of the many talented bloggers in France, as they share their musings on life in our adopted country.
Having lived in France for five years, the number of times I’ve heard my home cuisine insulted by a French person is too high to count.
It seems to be wired into their DNA: French food is the best in the world (“mais bien sur!”) and British fare isn’t fit for an animal to eat. Tell a Frenchman there is no English expression for “Bon appétit” and he will almost unfailingly reply, “They just say ‘Bonne chance!’” (Good luck) to the hoots of laughter of any fellow countrymen listening.
Well, “Enough!” I cry! I have done my best to undo French stereotypes by earnestly reporting to friends and family in the UK that French women do shave their armpits and no, no-one smells of garlic or onions – Parisians do wear a lot of striped tops though, that one is true.
So now it’s time for the French to admit how much they really like British grub, because they do.
A couple of years ago, when Marks & Spencer opened on the Champs Elysées, there was a queue to enter for the first three weeks.
These people were not queuing for the Per Una collection. They wanted scones, cheddar cheese and pork sausages, and guess what? Most of them were French. They love our pies, sandwiches, bread and Victoria sponges; they just don’t like to admit it…
Or do they?
SEE ALSO: M&S opens new Paris store amid expansion
Following hot on the heels of the New York burger craze in Paris, it’s the humble British fish & chips that is taking the French capital by storm.
Chic restaurants all over town are offering a “Very British” (pronounced “Verrry Briteesh”) fish & chips on their menu. Some even go so far as to offer mushy peas on the side.
French magazine “A Nous” dedicated a whole feature to the British culinary craze this month, calling it the “Royal baby effect.” In it they listed no less than five popular Paris restaurants who have added fish & chips to their daily menu. And I could name at least five more!
The last few months have seen the advent of a fish & chips truck, the Daily Wagon, and the opening of the very first fish & chip shop in Paris, The Sunken Chip, based in the trendy Canal Saint Martin area.
Whilst it’s definitely more of a fish & chips restaurant than genuine chippy – the French aren’t quite prepared for that yet – the grub certainly gets top marks for authenticity, thanks to its British chefs.
Fat chunky chips, crispy battered haddock and mushy peas with mint are served in a cardboard dish with disposable wooden knives and forks. Jars of pickled eggs line the back wall and bottles of Sarson’s vinegar sit on every table, ready for liberal dousing.
And just who is enjoying salt n' vinegar chips and pickled eggs? When I was there, the tables were full and there was a steady flow of take-away customers. In all I counted two English people, including me, the rest were French.
So ok, the French are definitely pro-batter, but what about the rest of our fine British cooking? Has anything else made it across the Channel? Of course it has. The latest trend in new Paris cafés is small New York style coffee shops that serve, amongst other baked goods, fresh scones with jam.
Baked goods
Fusion food and British-inspired dishes are also becoming more commonplace in the French capital.
Le Bal Café in the 18th arrondissement is a perfect example of an Anglo-French blend. Run by two chefs, one English, the other French-Irish, the menu is British-based and includes Welsh rarebit, kippers on toast, scones and porridge.
I went for brunch and once again found the restaurant bursting with Parisians all chowing down on fry-ups and bacon pie.
It looks to me like it’s time to stop the British food bashing. No-one’s saying that our national gastronomy is better than that of France (quelle idée!) but it’s not all baked beans on toast in Blighty, we do have some culinary tricks up our sleeves.
The next time one of my Gallic friends has something “witty” to say about my home cuisine, I shall force them to eat their words – along with their steak and kidney pie.

[wa3zrm]

Sitting Target: Norwegian Hunter Misses Moose But Bags Man in Cabin Toilet
Guardian ^ |

Police question moose hunter after 75-year-old man survives shot to the stomach while answering call of nature
A Norwegian hunter took aim at a moose but missed and accidentally hit a man sitting on the toilet in a nearby cabin, police said.
The bullet whizzed past the animal, pierced the wooden wall behind it and struck the man, in his 70s, in the stomach, the force told public broadcaster NRK.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...

[Crow]

Caw!

The pickled herring is pretty good, but you can get sick of it easily if you eat too much (which I have).

[squeezyjohn]

British food does get a bashing from most of the rest of Europe ...

But the fact is that most English dishes are incredibly simple combinations. So if it's made from top quality fresh ingredients then it can be some of the most amazing stuff in the world ... And guess what? If it's made from the cheapest rubbish available it is diabolical! Good English food is about enjoying the full natural individual flavours.

Over on the "mainland" the food is about covering everything in cream, butter, wine, herbs and spices. Sometimes that is delicious too, but I often wonder what they're trying to hide in the main ingredient with all this stuff!

when I'm out on the road in Europe - the first thing I crave is simple boiled or steamed vegetables with no adulteration ... The butter, cream and wine in everything just doesn't do it for me!

Rotten fish though ....

[Skell18]

British food does get a bashing from most of the rest of Europe ...

But the fact is that most English dishes are incredibly simple combinations. So if it's made from top quality fresh ingredients then it can be some of the most amazing stuff in the world ... And guess what? If it's made from the cheapest rubbish available it is diabolical! Good English food is about enjoying the full natural individual flavours.

Over on the "mainland" the food is about covering everything in cream, butter, wine, herbs and spices. Sometimes that is delicious too, but I often wonder what they're trying to hide in the main ingredient with all this stuff!

when I'm out on the road in Europe - the first thing I crave is simple boiled or steamed vegetables with no adulteration ... The butter, cream and wine in everything just doesn't do it for me!

Rotten fish though ....

I agree, when the best stuff is used, its amazing! Also I like surstromming

[Frankie Reloaded]

There must be some super secret in rotting the fish because usually people get violently ill after eating rotten meal. Must be an interesting culinary experience, though.

[Skell18]

There must be some super secret in rotting the fish because usually people get violently ill after eating rotten meal. Must be an interesting culinary experience, though.

It smells vile, but stastes like salty herring, you're meant to have it with other things, mayonnaise, chives and potato are great with it.

[Crow]

[lxskllr]

A friend of mine went to Iceland, and on a bus tour, they made special diversion for him to get some rotten shark. Before they could tell him not to, he opened the jar on the tour bus. I don't think they were very happy. He didn't like the shark much either. Since he couldn't bring it back, he left it in his hotel room. I'm sure the room keep was thrilled with her bonus :^D

[Burnsey]

Good one Crow. =-)