Wild bear, reindeer and moose and loads of icecream and cakes for desert: these are the main bites I remember from having lunch at the Swedish embassy in The Hague. It was delicious. The Swedish food was served by top cooks from the region Jämtland Härjedalen, a region in Zweden, near the Norwegian city Trondheim.

I must say, as a former veggie who started eating meat again just one week before this, it was quite a big change to have the three typical nordic animals for lunch. But knowing they had a good life in Jämtland made it a bit easier. The lovely presentation and good smell definately helped as well!

The menu was based on the different area’s within Jämland Härjedalen:

Östersund – the sporty, speedy city

On the menu: salad with its base in the Peruvian kitchen. Char, fruits and diced vegetables pickled in lemon and chilli. As texture, deep-fried oyster mushrooms and flatbread.

You know the dishes that are pickled in lemon, but make you think you are eating something soaked in lemon detergent? This is absolutely not one of them. Both lemon and chili were perfectly balanced, and the mushrooms (I’m such a sucker for them) were perfectly prepared.

Vemdalen – homely & familiar

On the menu: moose meatballs Italian style with smoked ham, parsley and ripe hard cheese from goat’s milk. The dish goes with gravy made on red vegetables mixed with red goat’s cheese and salt cooked frosty potatoes.

The meat itself is not so special, but the combination of all ingredients made this dish very tastefull.

Funäsfjällen – the pure mountains

On the menu: reindeer meat Asian Sukiyaki style, freshly prepared with fine shredded root vegetables and chanterelles.

A great example of fusion cooking. Very Nordic, but with a clear Asian twist. I think the soy sauce made it taste a lot like the Japanese kitchen.

Lofsdalen – substantial & solid as in the Wild West

On the menu: bear chilli with chocolate. Beans and vegetables flavoured with fine pralines from the region.

Whether this was bear or beans: it was good! Again a great combination of flavours. Chocolate in a main dish, that’s something different! It’s wasn’t very prominent, but it definitely added to the taste!

Åre – party & chic

On the menu: Ice cream and coffee from Åre.

Too. Much! Of course I wanted to try everything on the buffet. Icecream, pie’s, chocolates… it was a buffet from heaven for a deserts lover like me.

And yes, all this desert sweetness was worth the belly ache and sugar low afterwards!

Jämtland Härjedalen

Jämtland Härjedalen isn’t all about food, it’s also a perfect region for outdoor sports like hiking, mountainbiking and skiing, kayaking and bodysurfing. You can also go on wildlife safari or go fishing or hunting.

I will be in Åre later this year and am very much looking forward to my stay!