Winners And Champions

Due to the fact that:
1. I am not really a winter person
2. I never watch winter sports and
3. I'm not particularly good at skiing

I have not really put much thougth into the reality that the Skiing World Cup is happening in Oslo as we speak. I am aware, in fairness, as the city is overcrowded with tourists and ski-interested locals, there are stalls flogging mascots and mulled wine on every corner and all the TV channels seem to be catering to the ski-loving community only these days.

But, as I said, I have not been bothered trampling up to Holmenkollen to catch it all live. And today, as Norway already are well in the lead with most gold medals won, my parents, who both love wintersports and bought their tickets to the event over a year back, they have brought my little munchkin with them to eyewitness what more than likely will be yet another day of great success to her homeland. (Well, one of her homelands, anyway. And in fairness, waiting for Ireland to bring home a gold medal for skiing is a tad, well, optimistic to say the least!)

And while this busy mummy is in work typing and writing and reporting away, there is no reason not to plan a little "After Ski" for this evening, when we are all home and snug and dry - and ready to celebrate.

And in true Norwegian skiing tradition (just because I don't particularly enjoy the activity doesn't mean I can't love the food related to all things winter sports!)I plan to serve up a menu with references to oranges and chocolate! YUM!



Blood Orange Margaritas
(recipe makes 2):

Salt
Crushed ice
1/2 cup juice from a blood orange
6 cl tequila
3 cl Cointreau
Wedges of blood oranges to decorate

Moist the rim of your glasses with water, dip into salt and let it dry. Fill a cocktailshaker with crushed ice, pour in juice, tequila and Cointreau. Shake.
Sift the drink into glasses and decorate with wedges of blood orange.


Kvikk Lunch (like Kit Kat!) cake with coffee icing

5 dl sugar4 egg
300 g melted butter
9 dl selfraising flour
2 ts baking soda
4 tablespoons of cocoa
3 dl milk
1 Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bar (or Kit Kat!)
Zest from one orange

Coffee icing

3 ½ dl icing sugar
4 tablespoons of melted butter
4 tablespoons of strong coffee
1 ts vanilla sugar

Whisk eggs and sugar in a largebowl. Add the other ingredients. Mix well. Pour the mixture into a well-greased overdish (30 x 40 cm). Bake on 180 C for 30-40 minutes on the bottom shelf. Mix the icing and pour over the cake while it is still warm. Sprinkle on chopped up Kvikk Lunsj (or Kit Kat) and orange zest. TUCK IN!

Let the celebrations begin!

UPDATE: WE WON! GO NORWAY!


(Photo Credit and recipes from here)