The last week in December was quite a sociable one! I was home in Sweden trying to relax a bit, celebrate Christmas and catchup up with friends.

The day before Christmas Eve is our “mini Christmas” at home. We decorated the tree, wrapped the last gifts and had Christmas food for dinner. But first a G&T and some crisps by the fire.

For dinner we had a small selection of traditional Christmas dishes, basically our favourites. Meatballs, cooked ham, rye bread, Jansson’s temptation and “brown” (caramelised) cabbage.

Look at our pretty tree!

On Christmas Eve we had leftovers for lunch (and herring for my parents).

But in the evening we prefer more regular dinner party food (but still with a nod towards tradition). Christmas food is so heavy once is enough for us.

Our starter was my homemade beetroot cured salmon with prawns, dill cream cheese and a honey mustard sauce on butter-fried bread. Delicious!

Followed by slow cooked venison tjälknöl (cooked from frozen) with dauphinoise potatoes, red wine sauce and cooked vegetables.

For pudding we had both a cheeseboard and traditional rice pudding with lightly whipped cream folded in and berry sauce.

And after that we had fruits and sweets. This day is all about eating…

On Christmas Day we wanted something lighter and I assembled a little bruschetta bar with charcuterie, cured salmon, venison from the night before, cheeses and spreads.

Boxing Day was a social day with fika at one set of friends, completely with homemade saffron buns, gingerbread and games with the kids.

That was followed by dinner at another set of friends. We had prawns, eggs, quiches, salad and more.

And ice cream for pudding! My friends are really spoiling me!

The next day I hung out with my parents and in the evening we had leftovers. But first of course a G&T.

Cured salmon toast with homemade mayonnaise.

Venison, dauphinoise potatoes, red wine sauce and cooked vegetables.

On the Saturday I met some friends for fika at Slättarps Gård (how pretty?!)…

…and in the evening I had dinner with friends. Once again being spoilt!

Sunday was spent at home with my parents and we had pork fillet with potato wedges and homemade bearnaise sauce for dinner. Afterwards I went food shopping for new year’s eve and picked up the boy from the airport. Can’t believe how quickly a week went past!