Gluten-free Christmas baking - Cardamom rolls with saffron

I am lousy at taking photos of my bakings, so I am sorry to tell you that this time around, again, there won´t be many photos to showcase. This is mainly because I am always trying out new things or making my own adjustments to the recipe and I am not sure if what I am trying to do will succeed at all, so I just concentrate on baking. :)

I have dreamed of having a nice, soft cardamom roll for as long as I have stopped eating gluten. I have tried many recipes and they work, somehow, but mostly, the result is either a soft but a flat, really flat, version or then a beautifully shaped, hard, rock-type of a ball.

In my childhood, cardamom rolls were the type of homey treat I guess cookies are in the States or scones in Britain. The usual version (originally a combo of milk, yeast, cardamom, sugar and wheat - give or take eggs and a dash of salt, sprinkled with sugar) were baked often and devoured as a snack or with tea.

In February, during Laskiainen, Shrove Tuesday, the same roll is filled with whipped cream and yam or marzipan. The marzipan version is a Swedish tradition and a tradition I followed as a child - and I still think that is the only proper "laskiaispulla".

During Christmas, the rolls were made more posh with saffron. The seasoning gave them a beautiful colour and a lovely taste, as well as a bit more luxury.


Yesterday, I dove head into the bun thing. Earlier on, I discovered this recipe:
http://keliakia.blogspot.fi/2011/02/nyt-se-onnistui-pulla.html

It seemed good, but I had some concerns.

See, before my gluten-free life began, I loved making bread. I dare to say I was really good at it. I enjoyed the feeling of creating gluten in the dough. It was a full-on process, chemistry. And it was good. And that is why it took me so long to realise that gluten-free baking is not such a vivid, fun process. Once I adapted and turned my thinking upside-down, baking bread, rolls and other (often yeast) bakes got a lot easier.

Here´s my list:
1. In a normal dough, you create gluten with your kneading. This, together with yeast, will make the bread/roll inflate with air and give you nice, soft results.

In a gluten-free dough, you need to whisk the dough (I know, sound silly) to create the air bubbles, because there is not gluten to help you out with it.

2. When making a normal dough, you will let it rise twice. In the middle, you will smash out the air bubbles and wake up the dough with a bit more kneading. Then you let the dough rise again.

In a gluten-free dough, you must not let it rise more than once. You can not knead the dough even once. After you have swelled the psyllium (if you are using any) and the flour (yes, that too, because gluten-free flour tends to be a lot drier than what flour) you have to gently form the dough into balls, or whatever is your desired shape, and then let them rise, rather quickly.


For me, these 2 thigs were the most important lessons to learn.


And ta-daa, on to the recipe, finally!


Cardamom rolls with saffron

Ingredients:
5 dl milk, at aroun 45 degrees Celsius
2 tsp Psyllium
1 small container of saffron (about 1-2 grams)
½ tsp salt
2 dl sugar
1 tbsp ground cardamom
2 eggs
7 dl flour (gluten-free mix)
2 dl of rice flour
2 bags of yeast


Method:
Heat the milk up to about 45 degrees Celsius. It needs to be hotter than your hand, because it will sit for a while until the yeast is added. Add the salt, sugar, cardamom, saffron and psyllium and whisk shortly with an electric mixer. Leave to sit (and swell) for about 2 minutes, whisk again and give it another 2 minutes.

In the meantime, mix together the rice flour, yeast and the gluten-free flour mix. (The original recipe suggest putting in only half of the flour mix at this point and the rest after the swelling time. You choose and tell me how it went)

To the milk, add the eggs. whisking well. Next, add the flour mix. Whisk well, for at least 3 minutes. Then, let the dough stand (and swell) for about 10 minutes. No more than 15, though, you do not want to kill the yeast.

Then, flour your hands and scoop out the dough. It will be a bit looser than a standard dough, but you should be able to manage it in your hands nonetheless. Gently roll them into balls in your hands, place them on a lined baking tray. You will probably need to flour your hands before each rolling session.

Cover the rolls/buns with a cloth and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
Before placing the rolls in the oven, gently brush them with a lightly mixed egg and sprinkle with sugar. (On a Christmas roll, raisins are typically used but they are not my cup of tea.)

Bake at 200 degrees Celsius, for about 10-12 minutes, until nice and golden brown.

This recipe will make about 15 rolls.

Let me know if it worked out for you!

Baby steps to Christmas

So, here´s the rub. I hate winter. It is too cold, too dark and way too long. The air is dry indoors due to the heating that is needed and then your skin just flakes off. Snow brings a bit of a relief, because then everything is a lot more light - but it is also colder.

On the other hand, what better excuse to light things up? As I told you before, Christmas lights are the thing for me.

This photo is from my backyard. It was taken just a couple of days ago, at 11 am. It is so gloomy that even the photo turned out distorted and grainy. But, notice the lights! A string of bulbs, which I like so much! And they fit the foresty, rocky, mossy atmosphere that encases our outdoor sauna building. (Yes, as a Good Finn, we have now 2 saunas. :) )

The string of lights is from Granit, another Swedish greatness/brand. http://www.granit.com/






The same string of lights is also now available as a LED version:





The Granit lamps, especially the traditional version, heat up quite a lot. That is why they are not the best choice to be used indoors. I like to decorate with light outdoors, so the bulb string is perfect for that. But in this dark season, light is definitely needed indoors, too.


Another favourite of mine, and well suitable for indoor use, are the ball strings from La case de cousin paul. http://www.lacasedecousinpaul.com/en
The company started already in 2001 and I guess it is the first company (in the Western world) to sell these pretty strings of light.




I saw similar lights in Thailand already around 2006. And I think they got the idea from there, anyway. But well, in case you are not going to Thailand just now, it is very easy to get these now, from their webshop.






They sell "suggestions", which means pre-chosen colour combos in 20, 35 and 50 ball strings. You can also customise the suggestions or create your very own design.

The lamps are such a great way to bring some colour and atmosphere indoors. Especially in Finland, where most people for some reason want to paint all of the walls white. These can easily be exchanged to fit the season or your furniture.




I have had 2 different colour combinations at my home for a couple of years now - but I think I could accommodate more. :)

What do you think? Good for Christmas or not?





PHOTOS FROM GRANIT & LA CASE DE COUSIN PAUL.

Littlephant, my love

To continue on the series of great Scandinavian design companies / brands, I would now like to take you to the world of Littlephant.

Littlephant is created by the talented designer and illustrator Camilla Lundsten from Sweden. The products are cheery in their design and character, but calming and watercoloury in their choices of colours - or on the contrary clean-lined and simple black and white patterns.

I love them. My daughter loves them.

The photo is quite poor in quality, but there she is, admiring her prints which I ordered form the Littlephant webshop suring the summer (and framed them with Ikea frames).

Littlephant delivers to many countries and currently has a free delivery to Europe and Asia for all orders over 60€.

They also have published their catalogue for 2015. It is available here: http://littlephant.com/wp-content/uploads/LITTLEPHANT_CATALOGUE_2014_UPDATE_031014.pdf )

These are my favourite products from them so far.

 

I really like the prints - which is probably obvious looking at the photo above. But the choices were not mine, nor was the placement of the prints, it was my daughter´s. I believe in letting children create their own spaces. For the most part, I think simplicity is a key because innately kids have a wild, untamed imagination and I think giving them pre-thought concepts in their own rooms only hinders the use of their mind. And I believe in functionalism, too. And that means easy-clean surfaces and durable materials, but also coziness. Kids are entitled to have good quality items, too. Things they enjoy looking at or wrapping themselves into or around. Something that gives them comfort. My daughter chose the three posters in the first photo by herself. She had other prints to choose from, but I guess these just spoke to her. Personally, I really can see why.

Crocheted bean bags and toys. If I had a baby, I would....!

All photos from the Littlephant webshop.

As I told you before

http://colourmepolka.blogspot.fi/2014/09/ikea-improved-meet-bemz-and-prettypegs.html

Littlephant also co-operates with Bemz, which means that you can have your very own (Ikea) sofa or chair upholstered with a Littlephant fabric. I will let you in on a secret - I soon will too! :)

What do you think? Would Littlephant fit your home?

Ferm Living - a beautiful Christmas splurge

Ferm Living http://www.fermliving.com/webshop/shop/news.aspx
is a Danish brand. To me, Ferm Living is all about the graphic prints featured on their fabrics (which are unfortunately not sold by the meter, only as kitchen towels, pillows etc.) and wallpapers and their quirky furniture.

Their Christmas collection for 2014 is out now. Unfortunately, I love it. Even more unfortunately, the items are not the cheapest. But, just check out these lovelies!





Christmas tree blankets. So perfect in their simplicity.



House Christmas Calendar. My daughter already has a calendar that I made a couple of years ago, but this is so pretty and elegant. Hmph. Maybe I should get one for myself and fill it up with goodies.



Christmas stockings. Love the shape!



My favourite. Candleholder String. This one comes in many colours, including a basic wood coloured and a grey version. All of them nice. I have never bought an advent candleholder -system (which in Finland is a must) because I have not liked the versions available. This one, though, I love. LOVE.





Christmas tree ornaments. These are so pretty, too. (But I tell you what - I will try to mimic these to our own tree. I already made some papery versions last year, no reason to not do it this year, too!)




Lovely wraps. And the paper bags are very reasonably priced.


To me, these items just capsulize the Christmas spirit. I am not too keen on the overpowering amount of different Christmas ornaments spread out here and there (I do love Christmas lights and will soon post my two favourites here), but I need to have the following:
1. Christmas lights
2. Christmas tree
3. Candles
4. Some key pieces to pump up the spirit. Preferably stacked together in a large quantity.


Yesterday, me and my daughter had a bit of a arts and crafts session and we made a door wreath. Once the glue dries, you will see the results.



ALL PHOTOS FROM THE FERM LIVING WEBSHOP.

Ikea improved - meet Bemz and Prettypegs

Last time I promised to write about another Scandinavian brand, but well, it´s not completely true. Or rather, it is true only in part.

By now I am sure you have realised how much I like Ikea. Not necessarily and at least not nearly always because of their products or the design thereof, but because of the fantastic job they are doing branding themselves.

So the people want quirky, limited edition stuff - they give them just that with their limited edition collections. Which is so intelligent, because then they can keep their normal range as it is (admittedly, quite generic) and even improve sales by adding that extra cushion which pretty much nails the entire feel of the era.

A couple of years back, before the launch of their new catalogue, Ikea photographed people in their setting. For free, of course. Then you received a receipt for the photo and could claim your very own, personalised catalogue from the store on the given dates. Obviously, with you on the cover of the catalogue. Ingenious.

Luckily, there are other ways to feel that Ikea is personified and not just the mega store selling the same goodies all over the world to millions of people. Which also brings me to the subject of interior decor personified. I do not know if it is a global trend, but at least in Finland the repetitive interiors featured on blogs is more than daunting. It is actually frightening. We all are different, in so many ways. I have always thought that your home should represent you (and that is why professionally I find interior design of homes to be a concept that is in big need of improvement), not the trends you see at the blogs, magazines or stores.

I realise it is not easy to find something that is not trendy. At least if you do not want to invest in a Design Product - which then again also can create that generic feeling.

Anyway, enough of the rambling (for now ), see this cool way to pick the things you like, trendy or not, and add the personal touch at the same time.

First in line, Bemz. Another ingenious brand selling custom designed covers for Ikea sofas and chairs.
http://www.bemz.com/en/


The covers not only allow you to have a different look, but they are also good ecologically. You don´t necessarily have to buy a new couch, a couch cover might be all you need.

Last spring they started working with Littlephant, another favourite of mine (and also Swedish).



They do not stock many of the Littlephant fabrics, but they also have a wide range of other fabrics from plains to Marimekko and Designers Guild.

All photos from bemz.com




And then there is Prettypegs. Not only for Ikea furniture, but others too, they sell furniture legs for beds, chairs, storage and tables.


I love this shape and the colour. And - they ship free worldwide.

So pretty.



All photos from Prettypegs
http://www.prettypegs.com/sv/

Ikea Christmas 2014

Today it is only (?) 3 months until Christmas - what better excuse to introduce the Swedish take on this year´s Christmas?

So please, have a look at the Ikea Christmas of 2014. From what I hear, it is already showcased in the stores, too.

Nice, big golden star. Really like the smaller stars, too. Maybe those are just cut from golden paper? Not sure. Should go to Ikea and check out what they actually have!
Anyway, looks like this Christmas is golden, at least according to Ikea.




This really captures the Scandinavian winter light at its best. You can almost see the snow outside.



Christmas stockings, too. I predict these will run out fast. Get yours now if this is something you have been looking for.

Happy Movember. This cookie cutter set has to be purchased before November, I am sure. Looks like these shapes will be nice to garnish.





All photos from ikea.com

Design and colour trends for autumn 2014 from Marimekko

One of these days I am going to write about interior design and how it should be done to avoid having a catalogue home - which at least to me is a nightmare.

But to form a basis for my thoughts, let me first write a series introducing the trends of this era, starting from the Finnish Marimekko.

(All photos from Marimekko)



The black and white and the graphic elements are still represented. I speculate the Christmas 2014 will be black-white-grey again, too.

I quite like the design of this fabric, called Ararat. The harlequin motives have been all over for quite some time now and to find something that is even a slight variation of it, seems refreshing.

To me, though, all the black and white is really harsh combo. In Finland the daylight is not as bright and warm in colour as in the more Southern based countries and I have always been dubious as to why Scandinavians feed on white on white. Nowadays people have realised that there are others shades of white than only the white with a hint of black, or maalarinvalkoinen as it is known in Finnish.

Even the Ararat fabric base colour is not pure white, the base is somewhat beige. And that is good!





Saivu, here in two different shades, showcases another trendy colour of this autumn, purple, in pretty much all its shades. Again, in Scandinavia, block colours do not seem to work because the natural light is blueish in its tone, too. I love the quirky Marimekko designs. And the bold use of colour. IN comparison to many other fabrics by the meter, the price is not too bad. Especially considering the good quality of the cotton they sell. But sometimes I wonder who are the fabrics meant for?

In Saivu, the design is very 70´s style which I guess is the new trend. Or do they want to make it into a trend and put on store shelves the fabrics that were designed in that era? To  me, I understand the success of the harlequin-lead circus theme which has been in quite some time now. But the dungy 70´s..?

Yea or nay?





Next time I will continue on this note with another Scandinavian brand.

Habitat to open a store in Helsinki, Finland in November

Habitat is about to arrive in Finland!

News of the opening were revealed in June already, but people, we now have a location:
the store will be opened in Makkaratalo, right in front of the Helsinki railway station, on Keskuskatu/Kaivokatu, in Helsinki City-Center.

We also have a date, or somewhat of a date;
the store will be opened in November. The grand opening date is yet to be announced.


Photos from habitat.co.uk



Copper, so trendy right now. I love the largest pendant. Just beautiful.



I think I had similar chairs in my playhouse as a kid. Could gladly get one now, too!


I really was inspired by Habitat UK´s new collection "Affordable Cool". I already asked Habitat Finland if the collection would be featured in Finland, too, but they would not tell me.







 The Blossom side table, available in blue and yellow, might find it´s way into our home.

The best part about this collection? Well, as the title says, it is not only cool, it is also affordable. The Blossom side table is £50, so I am expecting it to be around 60-70 €.



A warm welcome to Finland, Habitat! (And please feature the Affordable Cool. Thank you.)

Kind regards,
Maija

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Gluten-free donuts

Gluten-free donuts

I swear, Finland is the mecca of donuts. Wherever you go, you can count on one thing - there will be donuts for sale. Really, every gas station at the outskirts of sheer existence sells donuts, or rather munkki as it is called in Finnish. 

The Finnish version usually is a round bun-like donut which is covered with sugar and sometimes filled with jam or custard cream. The garnish can also be pink or white sugar-water mixture, but then the munkki is called "Berliinin munkki" (Berlin donut) or "Piispan munkki" (bishop´s donut).

Growing up eating donuts, I sometimes miss the flavour so much. I remember being on maybe 3rd grade in school and how we had handicraft amongst us girls on Friday mornings for about 2 or 3 hours. Our teacher let us leave the school yard during the break to go to the nearby grocery store. Every Friday we would buy a Berliinin munkki and eat it before getting back to our needleworks. The store was called Vähänen, I think, and I doubt it exists anymore in its´s lovely, quirky appearance, at least.

Anyway, Yesterday I tried out the actual donut with the hole in the middle.

Ingredients:

5 dl milk

1 egg

1 dl sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tsp ground cardamom

22 g dry yeast

about 9 dl of gluten-free flour mixture

75 g melted vegetable shortening

Coconut butter for frying.

Sugar for sprinkling and/or chocolate and sprinkles.

Heat the milk to about 40 degrees. Add the egg, sugar and cardamom. Mix.

Add the yeast to about 2 dl of the flour and add to the mixture.

With an electrical mixer, beat the ingredients until fully combined.

Add the salt and the remaining amount of flour. With the mixer, beat the mixture for a couple of minutes.

Add the melted shortening and mix well.

Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes before pouring it over gluten-free flour.

Roll the dough and cut it into about 18 pieces. With plenty of flour in hands, roll the pieces into balls and leave onto a baking sheet for about 20-30 minutes to rest. If you want to make donuts, make a hole in the middle and stretch it out carefully. Cover the donuts with a piece of cloth.

Place the coconut butter into a pan and heat it to 180 degrees.

Place the donuts into the hot oil and fry them on both sides.

If you want sugar-covered donuts, cover them with sugar immediately. Otherwise leave them to cool and cover as you like once room temperature.

Enjoy while still warm, crunchy and fresh!

Coconut butter heating up.

Frying.

 Frying the other side.