Celebrate the 17th of May - Hurra for 17. Mai !

The 17th of May is the Norwegian Constitution day. A happy day filled with Champagne, Blue-White-Red Norwegian flags, people wearing their traditional Bunad and delicious and regressive food.

Traditionally, Norwegians start with the Champagne breakfast as early as 7am, then go to the parade that takes place in their city to watch the young kids walking with their school classmates, and finally either host a party at their place or head to a crowded restaurant.

What is traditional 17th of May food? As it is a day of celebration, it is common to indulge yourself with lots of sweets and alcohol (remember to drink with moderation… of course!). On the table, you will find: homemade pavlova with Norwegian colors, salmon gravlax, delicious scrambled eggs, the best-cured meat (mostly Spanish) and cheese.

The 17th of May is the opportunity to host family and friends in your home. Why not asking for our buffet and finger food menu? We customize all orders and like to be unconventional yet curious using the best local ingredients, organic when possible. 

Get a stress-free celebration with the best local ingredients and the most beautiful table setting. Why not serving homemade trout gravlax, French cheeses, Lebanese falafels, a fresh gazpacho or a delicious pavlova filled with the first strawberries of the year? Let Hibiscus Dinners and Alexandra Maubant do what they do best: serve you amazing and delicious food right in your dining room.

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March Wines: Spring is coming! - Mars Vintips: det er neste vårtidet!

Spring is around the corner and so are our wine recommendations! We are now enjoying longer and sunnier days, soon we will be all on our balconies, terraces and in the large parks of Oslo enjoying fresh, seasonal food. If you are making a delicious dinner, you need great wines!

As usual, we are trying to give you affordable yet delicious and original wines to pair with a wide range of dishes. 

Crémant de Bourgogne Charme Extra Brut 2014 - Jean-Paul Brun

Jean-Paul Brun Crémant

In the south of the Beaujolais region, about 30min drive from Lyon, you will find the domain of Jan-Paul Brun. This winemaker is mostly producing Beaujolais, from the typical Gamay grape one to the unusual sparkling red wine! Unless most of the Beaujolais winemaker, Jean-Paul Brun uses only the indigenous yeast found on his property, nearly never chaptalize his wines except necessary and reduce the use of sulfites to the strict minimum.

So Jean-Paul Brun is making great authentic natural wines at its best! The Crémant he produces is very well balanced: fresh and rounded. Has some hints of citrus as well as white fruits. This wine will fit perfectly with some fresh oysters, a meunière sole or a chicken prepared in a supreme sauce. 

This crémant is as good as a champagne. The value is, therefore, amazing! You can find this crémant for 199,90nok at Vinmonopolet. Don't hesitate to check his other amazing wines, including the Beaujolais Nouveau 2016, the Fleurie 2015 or the Moulin à Vent 2013; all are proposed at an attractive price for the value they represent.

Occhipinti SP 68 Bianco 2015

Occhipinti SP68 Bianco

This is a delightful and original Sicilian white wine. Produced by Arianna Occhipinti in the south of Sicily, she is making natural and organic wines since 2004. This particular wine is made out of 50% Albanello and 50% Zibibbo (also known as Muscat of Alexandria). All the wines Arianna produces are made with indigenous yeast and a minimum of sulfites; most of the process is let to nature so the wines truly express the identity of the land the grapes grow on.

This white wine has a golden color, has almond, orange blossom flowers, and honey nose. You taste   a really fresh, fruity and deep white wine with a slightly bitter finish. It gets even better after some time in your glass. 

This wine could be very well enjoyed by itself before a meal, a nice fresh cheese, summer grilled vegetables or with a white fish dish. You can find it at Vinmonopolet for 224,90nok.

OMA Barbera D'Alba 2015

OMA Barbera D'Alba 2015

To start the spring well, we are going to the north of Italy; try this great and classic Barbera d'Alba blended especially for the Norwegian market by Ole Martin Alfsen. 

This red wine has the typical Barbera flavors: sour cherry, licorice, and blackberries. It is a balanced wine with a pretty long finish and a hint of herbal taste.

It will fit well with a pork saltimbocca, a roasted chicken or a 6-months aged Comté. You can find it at Vinmonopolet for 154,90nok.

Tomato soup - Avocado & Cucumber Relish: The recipe that tastes like summer!

In February, Oslo is dark and cold (though not so much this year!) and need your quota of sun! If you don't find it outside, get it in your plate! 

At Hibiscus Dinners, we love simple and tasty recipes for our everyday dinners. This recipe is simple, tasty and quick to prepare; don't hesitate to give it a shot! It is a nice healthy vegetarian meal to make any day of the year: serve warm on winter and cold on summer.

To spice up a bit the tomato soup, we are using piquillos (it is sweet Spanish paprikas that are produce in Lodosa). They give an extra deepness to the soup that makes the whole difference!

For 4:

-1 onion

-1 carrot

-2 gloves of garlic

-2 crushed tomatoes in can

-1 can of piquillos

-1 Tsp of sugar

-Olive il

-1 cup red wine

-1/2 cucumber

-1 avocado

-Habanero chili

-1 lime

-Avocado oil

-Alfalfa sprouts

-Feta cheese

-Spring onions

Peel and chop roughly the onion, garlic and carrot. Color in olive oil. Add the red wine, let the alcohol evaporates.

Add the tomatoes, piquillos, sugar and salt to your taste. Let simmer for 20-30min. Then mix with a hand blender until smooth, set on the side.

Meanwhile, prepare the relish: dice the cucumber and avocado. Blend with the juice of 1 lime, chopped habanero chili (to your taste) and avocado oil (olive oil will be fine as well).

Serve the warm soup topped with the relish, some crumbles of feta cheese, spring onions and a dash of avocado oil. Decorate with the alfalfa sprouts, enjoy!