Traditions with Emma Löf, @lindblomsgront
Date
17.03.23
Subject
Collabs, Traditions
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Traditions with Emma Löf, @lindblomsgront
”The most important thing about a tradition is perhaps not what you’re doing but with whom you do it.” Emma Löf, who runs the Instagram account @lindblomsgront, lives just outside Hjo (Sweden) in a house from the 1920s. The charm of the house cannot be mistaken, nor Emma’s sense of interior decorating, details and new projects. Emma invites us for spring fika and tells us what traditions mean to her.
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"The small traditions are the most meaningful to me and the ones we have created ourselves"
When we say traditions – what do you think of?
– Then I think of something that provides a feeling of security and timelessness. I believe traditions have been extra important over the last few years because of all the turbulence in the world, even if the traditions may have looked different before.
What does traditions mean to you?
– A tradition is something to look forward to and when you gather loved ones. The most important thing is perhaps not what you’re doing but with whom you do it.
Set the table for spring
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"I found the poppy seed cake recipe and it was so lovely and fresh, just like spring!"
Which traditions are extra meaningful to you?
– The small traditions are the most meaningful to me and the ones we have created ourselves. For example, since the beginning of the pandemic my family has welcomed tapas each Easter instead of the traditional Easter food. A rather new but really cosy tradition which has stayed with us.
Spring fika with lemon and poppy seed cake is a tradition for you. Tell us more!
– The tradition started when we were moving to our new house and was going to invite family and friends for the first time. I found the poppy seed cake recipe and it was so lovely and fresh, just like spring! Since then I have always associated the poppy seed cake with spring, and when the season gets closer I pick up the recipe again. What makes both the spring fika and the recipe to a tradition is the reaction of those who taste the cake. Everybody wants another piece and thinks it super tasty! It has become a tradition to both me and our guests.
How do you think when setting the table for spring fika?
– I think it’s important to have a lovely bouquet of perhaps tulips or buttercups. And I like to use nice porcelain as well, preferably in some colour.
@lindblomsgront – Emma Löf
Lemon and poppy seed cake
Ingredients
125 g room temperature butter
1 tbsp finely grated lemon peel
3 dl sugar
3 eggs
3 1/2 dl wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 dl yogurt quark
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tbsp blue poppy seeds
Finely grated lemon peel for the garnish
Butter and breadcrumbs for the baking form
Put the oven on 175°C.
Butter and breadcrumb a form of about 2 liters.
Whisk butter, lemon peel and sugar porous in a bowl using an electric mixer. Whisk down 1 egg at a time.
Mix flour and baking powder in another bowl.
Fold the flour mix into the whisked eggs. As the last thing, stir down the yogurt quark, lemon juice and poppy seeds. Pour the batter into the form.
Bake the cake in the lower section of the oven for approx. 35 minutes, check with a stick that it is ready.
Icing
1 dl icing sugar
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
Mix the ingredients until the icing gets a rather thick consistency. If it’s too thin, add more icing sugar. Drizzle the icing over the cake when it has cooled down.
There are overall traditions and personal traditions. Do you distinguish these in any way?
– I should say that I value personal traditions more. The big ones like Christmas and Midsummer bring so many expectations which easily can make them into disappointments, or you let stress take over. You can make decisions about your own traditions and they are more special.
Have you inherited or passed on any tradition, for example from when you were a kid?
– The traditions from when I was a kid have changed a lot and with time have been shaped in different ways. But some things live on, like visiting Christmas markets before Christmas every year or to have Midsummer lunch together with family.
Why do you think food is such an important part of a tradition?
– I can’t think of any tradition I have which doesn’t have some sort of connection with food. No matter if it’s a tradition which has survived over generations or which is just a few years old, I believe food creates a feeling of timelessness and security when perhaps the rest of the world and life in general is troubled and turbulent.
Is there a tradition you have heard about you really would like to do together with your family or friends?
– I think it sounds really cosy with game playing evenings or to meet and paint together over a glass of wine and some food. I really like the thought of doing things without screens involved, and to be a little more here and now.
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Traditions are often built on expectations, is that part important to you?
– The anticipation thing is difficult. I think it’s better to have more reasonable expectations to avoid being disappointed when the day comes. It’s easier if you have shaped a tradition into your own, within your own framework, because it’s still rather lovely to be able to feel anticipation about something.
Give us your three best tips to make a tradition good.
– Do things that make you feel good, together with people you care about and with something you think is tasty on the table.
Which are your favourites from Sagaform’s assortment?
– I really like Vase Viva which can carry really amazing bouquets. Another favourite is the Coffee & More plates in the lovely green colour. The classic wine carafe with a cork ball from Nature is also a favourite which I think is very nice and timeless.
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