Remember the Semla

Fastlagssöndagen. The translation is literally Shrove Sunday. Or Quinquagesima, which means the beginning of Lent. This year in Sweden, fastlagssöndagen is 26th February. Since the Reformation, this time of year is more about festivities than privation. Whilst still marked on our calendar, for most of us this is a meaningless day as we don't change our eating habits at all.

Apart from one thing. Almost irresistable here in Sweden are Semla. These Lenten buns are a traditional dessert at this time. Years ago, the sweet buns were served in a bowl of hot creamed milk sprinkled with cinnamon. Today we're more practical - after all some of us like to eat them out of a paper bag while sitting in our office working. So now, you buy the soft, sweet buns (without the milk), that have been scooped out and filled with almond paste and topped with lots of fresh, whipped cream. They don't sound particularly special, but trust me, they are quite delicious and you will want more than one.

So delicious in fact, that they changed the course of history here in Sweden. In 1771, King Adolf Fredrik gorged himself to death, partly on these Lenten buns and partly on too much champagne.

So there, you are warned.