Finnish Cookbooks: Delicious Nordic Cuisine

Finnish cookbooks offer a great introduction to many popular dishes from Finland. The foods of Finland, a delicious and nutritious part of Nordic cuisine, are a mystery to many people around the world. Whether you want to explore your Finnish heritage (like me!) or are intrigued by the Nordic diet, here are some great cookbooks to check out.

Finnish Cookbooks, Finnish Cuisine

Before diving into a new cookbook, however, you might be interested in learning a little more about Finnish food. What exactly do the Finns eat?

Berries are popular, including the more universally available blueberries. Regional berries—such as cloudberries and lingonberries—also play a role in Finnish cuisine. Mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie) and vispipuuro (a whipped lingonberry porridge or pudding) are two berry favorites.

Fish is a Finnish staple, found in popular recipes such as Finnish Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto).

Finland is known for its delicious bread, including several types of rye bread. Flatbreads (similar to Finn Crisp) and pulla (Finnish cardamom bread) are also Finnish traditions. Naturally, cardamom is always a favorite around here!

What is the Nordic Diet?

The Nordic Diet gained popularity several years ago as a northern rival to the Mediterranean Diet. It emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, unprocessed foods, and the whole grains, berries, vegetables, fish, and game meats that are prevalent in Nordic countries. In addition to Finland, this way of eating (it’s not really a “diet”) also includes the foods of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland.

Numerous studies have documented the health benefits of the Nordic Diet. So when you try Finnish food you not only get to experience some uniques dishes, you’re investing in your health as well.

Now let’s check out some wonderful Finnish cookbooks!

1. The Finnish Cookbook

The Finnish Cookbook: Finland’s best-selling cookbook adapted for American kitchens Includes recipes for sour rye bread, Bishop’s pepper cookies, and Finnnish smorgasbord (The Crown Cookbook Series)

Authored by popular Nordic cooking expert Beatrice Ojankangas, The Finnish Cookbook is a classic vintage cookbook dedicated to the foods of Finland. It offers a comprehensive collection of recipes from appetizers to desserts.

This book starts off with bread, so integral to Finnish cuisine, including the popular Finnish sour rye. Ojankangas is also the author of several other books that celebrate Nordic cuisine including Breakfast with Beatrice, The Great Scandinavian Baking Book, and Scandinavian Feasts.

2. Food from Finland: A Finnish Cookbook

Food from Finland: A Finnish Cookbook, from award-winning food journalist Anna-Maija Tanttu, offers a nice collection of favorite Finnish dishes.

Translated from the original Finnish, this book includes many traditional Finnish recipes and some unique ones including herring ice cream.  A small book with beautiful photography, Food from Finland also includes notes from the author about the Finnish way of life.

3. Classic Recipes of Finland

Classic Recipes of Finland by native Finn Anja Hill is a newer entry in the world of Finnish cookbooks.

A beautifully illustrated book, this title offers a succinct collection of 25 favorite Finnish recipes including baltic herring with caper butter and cloudberry mousse.

4. The Best of Finnish Cooking

The Best of Finnish Cooking by Taimi Previdi, offers a detailed collection of favorite Finnish recipes from a native Finn.

You’ll find dishes for all seasons including mushroom soup (sienikeitto), poached salmon (keitetty lohi), milk cheese (maitojuusto), cranberry pudding (karpalokiisseli), and cardamom braided bread (pulla).

5. Finnish Baking Magic

Finnish Baking Magic by Varpu Rusila is a little different from a traditional cookbook.  It’s a combination e-cookbook and course with two video lessons. The cookbook offers 21 detailed recipes with versions for both American and European measurements.

Recipes include oven pancakes (pannukakku), whipped porridge (vispipuuro), and blueberry pie (mustikkapiirakka).

Bonus Book: The Finnish Way

The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu by Katja Pantzar isn’t a Finnish cookbook. However, if you’re intrigued by Finnish cuisine and culture, you’ll love this book.

It’s a great introduction to the Finnish lifestyle, noted for health and happiness.  It focuses on the Finnish tradition of sisu, loosely translated into English as sustained courage.  Sisu affects all aspects of life, including food.  Foodies will particularly appreciate Chapter 6: Nordic Diet, which shows how the Finns approach feeding body, mind, and soul.

Summing Up: Finnish Cookbooks

If the foods of Finland intrigue you, one of these Finnish cookbooks should surely get you started on exploring this wonderful cuisine.

Looking for recipes? Check out our recipe collection filled with dishes from around the world.

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