Why Create This Blog?

Up until about three months ago, I worked in the software industry. Then I decided that I wanted more than an unsatisfying, mediocre work life. I have always been interested in cooking -- as a teenager, I subscribed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit, and subjected my family to various culinary experiments.

A few weeks ago, I had a strong desire to make "nisu" -- this is a slightly sweet, Finnish yeast bread with cardamom seeds. It is also known as pulla. I knew that my great grandmother had made this bread. In a coal stove with no thermostat, no less! So, I decided to try it. But not in a coal stove :) I had mixed results to start -- but more on that in another entry.

For the nisu, I used a recipe which I found in my grandmother's cookbooks. These were published in the mid-1950's by the Lutheran Church in Gloucester, as well as by the Lanesville community. There were many recipes contributed by the Finnish ladies in the village. I've decided that I am going to try to make some of these and to update them to be more "in keeping" with today's style and sensibilities.

I'm also interested in learning from food authorities in Finland whether these old, immigrant recipes bear any resemblance to Finnish cooking today. So, let the adventure begin!