W3 Book Club - "∞®≥A Man Called Ove”

by Teri E. Popp & Laura Chin, Tastemakers in Residence“-A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman

Hej!!! The theme was all things Swedish when our host, Laurie, chose “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman for our W3 Book Club get together.

When Ove, a curmudgeonly man with an unknown past, loses his wife, his life takes on unexpected turns in this tale of love lost and happiness found. Recently adapted into a movie, this heartwarming novel shares a Swedish gift of hope during troubling times.

All of our book club members pulled out their finest woolen sweaters and winter wear to enjoy a Swedish feast that included:

Appetizers: Vegetable Cups, Swedish Meatballs (from Ikea), Artichoke Dip and Baked Brie with Crackers
Dinner: Butter Lettuce with Grapes and Walnuts in Tarragon Dressing Find recipe here at my recipes.com.

Fresh Baked Swedish Salmon: Find recipe here at marthstewart.com.

Leesa, our host’s friend and the caterer, did not follow Martha’s recipe for baking the salmon. She turned the oven down to 350°, scraped off the skin and baked it for 10 minutes instead. The salmon was fresh from Coastal Seafoods in Minneapolis. Our host felt the freshness and cooking modifications made all of the difference!

Corn Pudding: Find the recipe here at cupcakesandkalechips.com.

Creamed Spinach: Find the recipe here at thenovicechef.com+Mozzarella makes it complete!!!

Dessert: Lingonberry Mousse
Our host said she winged it with this one! She “semi” followed the recipe but did something else, too, in order for it to work - she followed the standard recipe for strawberry mousse, but added the Ligonberry Jam purchased from Ikea.

All our host remembers is that she had whipped cream flying all over the kitchen! She says she was one step away from disaster, but somehow pulled it all together at the last minute....Ha!

Find the recipe at lovefoodies.com + oliviacuisine.com.

Special Dessert Drink: Homemade “Swedish” Cream Liqeur, supplied by our very own Spirited Table Editor Cynthia Sutter!!!

And so we end by bidding you adjö until next month from W3 Book Club!