Literary Lunch: Isterband
Traditional Swedish meal of sausages, creamed potatoes, and beets
I love books and food pretty much equally, so I had an idea: Why not pay more attention to the food mentioned in the books I read and let that impact what I make at home? Literary themed meals. How fun.
My first Literary Lunch was inspired by this passage from Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
CHAPTER 14. Saturday, March 8-Monday, March 17
Blomkvist left the café when Susanne closed at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon. He had spent the morning typing up his notes in his iBook. He walked to Konsum and bought some food and cigarettes before he went home. He had discovered fried sausage with potatoes and beets-a dish he had never been fond of but for some reason it seemed perfectly suited to a cabin in the country.
After a bit of research, I discovered that this meal is traditionally made with a Swedish sausage called isterband and served with creamed dill potatoes and pickled beets. Since I don't have access to isterband, I used kielbasa and subbed parsley for dill, because that's what I had on hand. It turned out to be a simple, yet deeply satisfying meal. Meat and potatoes, how can you go wrong? If only I were in a Swedish cabin in the middle of a snowstorm. Then everything would be perfect.
isterband, literary lunch, literature, sausage, swedish food | in Literary Lunch Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:30PM
Reader Comments (5)
Wonderful post. I have to admit I start to crave a particular food item or beverage when it is mentioned in a book. While reading " The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo" I noticed I had a hankering for coffee.
Love love love this idea!
Isn't this fun? Feel free to steal the idea. We could have a Literary Lunch club. :)
You had me at sausage. I have a love affair with pork.
I love the pic and love your blog. It is a nice layout and I enjoy the flow of it. I will be back often now that I have found you.
Jen, Thanks for visiting! I'm looking forward to following your Tumblr page and eventually buying your cookbook as well. Here's to great food and foodie friends!