BKD Cookbook Club.....Let's Go to Scandinavia

It's time again for  Jo Tracey's BKD (Brookford Kitchen Diaries) Cookbook Club. I've followed Jo for awhile and have read several of her books, including one of her most recent which features a group of ladies who have a cookbook club. If you haven't read any of Jo's books, you should.

This month we're traveling to Scandanavia and I'll say right now, I wish I had taken more time to think ahead about this...I procrastinated, and so, in the end, chose to make something VERY simple.....but really good. Below are the cookbooks I got from the library...the second photo was an e-book that was just made available today, so a bit late, but it was a neat book. 

The photo below was at the beginning of one of the books. 

There were several recipes in these books that looked good. However, time wasn't on my side and I was trying to find a recipe that didn't need to feed a lot of people as several were gone...had I just thought about this ahead of time, it would have worked....anyways. All of these had potential. 

I really want to make this tart. I love nuts and I just think it sounded so good. 

Eventually I went with a recipe in the book Breakfast with Beatrice. You might remember me mentioning that I really love cookbooks that are colorful, have photos and stories....this one had none of those things. BUT, there were a few recipes that sounded good. The cover was pretty though. 

My mom used to make potato pancakes, but I think she made them with leftover mashed potatoes. A few weeks ago my husband just put some in a pan and was "trying" to make pancakes out of the mashed potatoes, however he didn't realize there needs to be other ingredients to hold them together. I decided to give this one a try since I love potatoes. Now, I was the only one home so needed to figure out how to cut the recipe down. 

Since the recipe called for 8 potatoes, I decided to do two, so cut everything down by fourths. I used my food scale to help the process and converted things to grams. I'm not sure if this was a perfect method, but it was what I came up with.

The recipe was easy enough and came together well. However, it made it sound like it should have a batter consistency but after adding all my ingredients it seemed runny. I added a little more flour, but not sure that it was how it should've been. I think if I did this again, I would mix the "liquid ingredients" first, then add the rest. It might be easier to gauge how it should be. 

I made two decent size pancakes. I didn't have bacon like the recipe called for, but I sautéed up some mushrooms and had that on top with some sour cream. They turned out really good. A nice blend of crisp and tender. This would also be nice with a meat and gravy or with eggs. I had just eaten lunch so I wasn't very hungry. 

I will totally be trying this again. 

Here's what's coming up in the next few months. I'm going to start thinking ahead for February. Our next holiday will be Valentines Day so that could be fun. 

February 18, 2026 – Let your next (or your most recent) holiday be your inspiration this month. Whether home or abroad, a short break or an other side of the world odyssey, we want to read about how it inspired (or is inspiring) your cooking.

March 18, 2026 – We often refer to our favourites, but this month, let’s look at something new. I’m talking about a cuisine or recipe you haven’t tried before, or a cookbook (either on your shelf or from the library) published no earlier than 2025, perhaps a new-to-you recipe website.

April 15, 2025 – It’s autumn here in Australia, and by now the humidity (and the cane toads) should be gone and the evening temps beginning to cool. Of course, on the other side of the world, it’s spring. Wherever you are, let’s celebrate the season.

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin