A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dinner
Saturday was Midsummer, or Summer Solstice, known as the longest day of the year and celebrated all over the world.
However, since that date is always in flux, due to the rotation of the planet and the changing of calendars from the Julian to the Tropical, many people celebrate this holiday between June 21-24, because the actual astronomical solstice usually falls somewhere between these two dates. Midsummer is originally a pagan holiday, called Litha, and has since been Christianized to be the celebration of the nativity feast of Saint John the Baptist. This is a festival of fire and light, and of thanks for the sun and its importance for survival and fertility.
In the North of the Northern hemisphere, like Scandinavia, it means that the sun does not set this day in many places, nor the few weeks before and after this day. When I lived in Norway (Trondheim to be specific, located in the center of the country) at Midsummer, we got two hours of twilight and the rest of the day was as bright and sunny as a summer’s day. It was a remarkable thing to experience, especially when you are not used to it. It usually means staying up late, enjoying time with friends and family and cooking up some good food to celebrate. Scandinavian bashes are usually known for their simple and delicious seafood. This holds especially true at Midsummer, when fresh seafood is at the height of freshness – crab and shrimp figure prominently, as does the ubiquitous salmon.
So I decided to create a Midsummer Feast, by cooking up some crab and corn fritters with garlic aioli, crostini with goat cheese and smoked salmon,
a nice salad full of goodies, like cucumbers, olives, pickled garlic, and roasted red peppers with a delicious avocado dressing.
We enjoyed some lovely cocktails, mixed up with an awesome blend of superfruit juices from Genesis Today and spent a lovely evening listening to Caribbean music and enjoying our veranda until the arrival of night.
Crab and Corn Fritters with Garlic Aioli
INGREDIENTS:
fritters:
1 TBS olive oil
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corn
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
freshly ground pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne or red pepper
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 TBS sweet chili sauce
1 lb fresh crabmeat
1 TBS butter and 1 TBS olive oil
aioli:
2 TBS sherry vinegar
1 egg
2 cloves garlic
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
juice from 1/2 lemon
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 200F. In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat up the olive oil. Add corn and onions and cook, stirring occasionally until they begin to brown – about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, pepper and red pepper – mix thoroughly. Using a whisk, add milk and eggs to the mixture, then stir in the sweet chili sauce. Stir in corn mixture and then the crab. Heat up the skillet again, and add the butter and olive oil. Drop the crab mixture, by large spoonfuls, into the hot oil/butter and pan fry until golden brown on each side, then place in the warm oven until you are finished frittering.
To make the aioli:
Place the egg and garlic in a food processor or blender. Whirl until the garlic is smooth. Add the olive oil in a slow stream while the motor is still running, until the mixture is thick. Add vinegar, salt and lemon juice. It will not be as thick as mayonnaise, but it will not be runny either. Serve with the fritters.
Stay tuned for more information about Genesis Today’s line of 100% Super fruit Juices and the cocktails we created for this meal using them.
nina - June 23, 2008 at 10:20 am
I have always had a thing about Scandinavia and would love to one day go there. Your midsummer night’s feast looks mouthwatering.
kat - June 23, 2008 at 11:04 am
ooh, I’ll have to try your version of corn fritters π
Peter - June 23, 2008 at 11:19 am
Jenn, I’m on a fritter kick..again! Glad you used the good, lump crab, naturally sweet and quite valued…now they are in a freezer at the market under lock & key…sign says, “see counter for assistance”.
Jen - June 23, 2008 at 11:35 am
Midsummer in Scandinavia really is a great time of year– it looks like you definitely brought the Scandinavian spirit to Florida!
courtney - June 23, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Next year I already informed CS that Im am having a huge Midsummer bash at the new house. I love this hoilday. Your food and drink looks so scrumoptious.
Kat - June 23, 2008 at 12:55 pm
oh those fritters sound amazing!
Midsummer is a big deal in the Baltic countries too, though celebrated as John’s Day, with special John’s Day fresh cheese on dark bread & a huge bonfire to jump over.
Judy - June 23, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Oh Jenn that food looks delicious!!! I was going to make crab cakes over the weekend but Peter is right crab is pricey!!!
What a great way to spend the Midsummer’s Night!
FlaNboyantEats - June 23, 2008 at 2:14 pm
corn fritters-yum for days. ur life seems so great and relaxing, really. Listening to island music? sipping on cocktails? It’s 2:15 pm right now and this makes me want to have some.
Mallika - June 23, 2008 at 3:17 pm
That must have been awesome in Trondheim. Corn fritters looks divine. Must make them for my corn mad hubby!
Anali - June 23, 2008 at 3:33 pm
This looks great! I just saved it!
Ivy - June 23, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I always wanted to see the midnight sun and the aurora borealis. Your fritters looks delicious. In Greece, we also celebrate St. John’s day with jumping over bonfires.
Bellini Valli - June 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm
What a perfect way to bring in the summer Jenn:D
Cynthia - June 23, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Dearest Jenn, seems that like you had a really romantic evening on Midsummer’s Night.
Sorry I’ve not been around lately, busy do so many things…
cookinpanda - June 23, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I teach Earth Science. As you can imagine, it’s pretty uninteresting to adolescent children from Brooklyn, so your romanticizing of the summer solstice is quite refreshing.
And, great recipes Jenn!
Nikki - June 23, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I love your dinner. So simple and fun. I can just imagine you and Roberto sitting outside enjoying this summer fete. π
Marie - June 23, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Your fritters look mighty good, but I have my eye on that gorgeous cocktail!
Vani - June 24, 2008 at 1:04 am
Its treat for eyes too…. so lovely pictures…
You rock everyday:)
DebinHawaii - June 24, 2008 at 2:53 am
Your pictures are so beautiful and the food (and cocktail) sound incredible!
Helen - June 24, 2008 at 9:39 am
jenn this dinner is absolutely stunning. I am so fascinated that you used to live in Norway! You are such an adventurer! How amazing that there are only 2 hours of twilight and then it’s bright and sunny the rest of the time. It must be so strange. I can only imagine the quality of the fish in Norway. Wowo. I think you have made a lovely tribute here.
Deborah - June 24, 2008 at 11:44 am
What a delicious meal! I didn’t know a lot of that about Midsummer, so I really learned a lot!
jen of a2eatwrite - June 24, 2008 at 2:57 pm
What a lovely meal and idea! I’m really hoping to be in Sweden for Midsummer some day. Our Swedish daughter has talked so much about it.
dawn - June 24, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Pickled garlic. Ok now that’s my language. I haven’t had that in ages; where to find that around here.
Cocktails and perfect background music. You can throw a wonderful party.
Pam - June 24, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Yum. The pictures are beautiful. What a wonderful meal.
Sarah - June 24, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Mmm, a Midsummer Night’s Feast–what a dreamy idea! I love the fritters and will give them a try!
dhanggit - June 25, 2008 at 7:45 am
how i wish i was there!! your goodies make me drool!! yummy
Renae du jour - June 25, 2008 at 11:55 am
I’ve got some corn on the cob from a cookout– this looks like it will be perfect. Wonderful, wonderful summer dish.
The Leftover Queen - June 25, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Hi Nina! Scandinavia and Northern Europe is such a beautiful and amazing vacation destination. I have had some of my best trips in this part of the world.
Let me know how they turn out for you Kat!
Peter, aren’t fritters just the best! I am glad that you are back on your kick because those tomato fritters you have going on over at your blog are fabulous!
Thanks Jen! I try! I always remember my life in Norway with fondness and I like to incorporate some of the traditions I experienced there in my life, even in a place like Florida! LOL!
Oh man, Courtney, you and Certain Someone are going to have an AWESOME bash at your new place next year! I am going to love seeing pics of that party!
Thanks Kat! Yes, I have since heard about Midsummer in the Baltic states. That cheese and bread tradition sounds like a super good one! π So does the bonfire. I sure miss those…
Thanks so much Judy! Crab really is pricey…it really sucks! I am from a state known for crabs (MD) and so not having it by the bucketload is really sucky!
Hey Bren! I try to lead as relaxing of a life as possible. I used to be really go, go, go all the time, but I found that once I learned to chill out more, things became much easier in my life. I also like to treat us to evenings like this once in a while – why go out when food at home is better! π
Trondheim is awesome Mallika – have you been there? I love corn too – I like throwing it in everything!
Thanks Anali! I hope you like!
Ivy it is so beautiful, you should really get there if you have a chance. Such a different kind of place. Again with the bonfires! That sounds just lovely!
Thanks Valli! I do what I can! π
Man Cynthia, I so hear you on the busy front! But busy is good – I am happy that things are going so well for you! It was certainly a romantic evening!
Hey Cookinpanda – By the way, my stepdaughter Gwen, would just love you. She is totally obsessed with all things panda! π I thought there were always kids that love Earth Science! I am glad you enjoyed the post. I think Midsummer is quite romantic!
Thanks so much Nikki! π It was really a great evening.
Thanks Marie! Stay tuned for the cocktail recipe – I am going to try to post it tomorrow!
Thanks Vani! π You don’t know how much I appreciate that! π
Hey Deb! Thanks! It really was an enjoyable meal!
Thanks so much Helen! It was pretty darn good too! Yeah, I used to be an adventurer back in the day. I really need to arrange for a few more – I am getting the itch again! I love living in different places and really connecting with other parts of this beautiful planet and the people and cultures…so much to see and learn. Man, the seafood is great there! I will never forget it.
Wow, great Deborah! I am so happy to hear that you learned something from the post too! π
Wow, Jen, did you have a Swedish exchange student? I was an exchange student when I lived in Norway! Such an awesome experience. Some day I would love to host someone myself.
Yeah, that is true Dawn. I got a jar of it at a little general store in New Hampshire and we have had it for a while. They were really good! I really do love to entertain! Just wish we knew more people here in FL so I could do it more!
Thanks so much Pam!
Hope you like the fritters, Sarah! You would be the expert! π
Thanks Dhanggit! I really appreciate the comment! I could say the same about your goodies! π
Hey Renae! Hope you are feeling better! Let me know how they work out for ya!
nΓΒΊria - June 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
This is a wonderful way to spend your midsummer’s night! It sounds very romantic to me π My friend Nancy (we’ve been friends for 25 years now aprox. wow time flyes!) She is from MalmΓΒΆ (Sweeden) and always told me about the Summer Feast and how wonderful it was… She is now living in Santa Barbara, Cal.
Your dishes are superb darling! And eventhough there were only the 2 of you… you couldn’t have found a better company everΓ’β’Β₯Γ’β’Β₯
Peter - June 25, 2008 at 9:05 pm
The fritters sound a bit like deconstructed crab cakes. Is there nothing aioli can’t improve? I don’t buy mayo any more; homemade is just too good.
Alex - June 26, 2008 at 3:16 am
Ah, takes me right back to some glorious Midsommer evenings spent in Sweden.
We Are Never Full - June 27, 2008 at 10:30 am
those crostini’s look AMAZING! such a great thing to snack on when it’s hot out. and, damn, it’s hot here in nyc!!
The Leftover Queen - June 27, 2008 at 11:28 am
Hi Nuria! Time sure does fly! I agree we had the best company for this romantic fete! Each other! π
You are so right Peter about homemade mayo – there is just nothing better!
That is quite a compliment Alex!
Thanks Amy! I agree foods like this are the best for warm weather!
Deb - June 27, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Yum Jenn, what a feast and sounds like a perfect evening also! The Genesis drinks sound great!
Lynne J. - June 27, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Oh, Jenn! Those Crab and Corn Fritters look and sound sooooo good. And that superfruit drink…I want some of that! Great photos!
Taste Memory Girl - June 28, 2008 at 11:44 pm
pretty photos + love your approach encapsulating each shot. The marinated peppers are getting me hungry and it’s way too late to start eating right now.
I love JUNE – enjoy the balmy evenings…..
Johanna - July 5, 2008 at 11:13 pm
your meal sounds very summery and I loved the summer solstice info – have seen very little on the summer solstice on blogs but it is so much fun to celebrate the solstice and reach into our ancestral memories
Tom Aarons - August 5, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Jen, lots of your photos have a radiance and richness of color that is just stunning. I’m… stunned (!) at how great some of them look. It’s truly a lesson in how things should be. Thanks!
Lyn - December 23, 2008 at 8:06 pm
This is really beautiful!! This is my first visit to your blog and I am really enjoying all the photos and recipe ideas. Thanks!
Ananda Lima - June 26, 2009 at 10:44 pm
This looks fantastic! I want to try some of it this weekend. Awesome blog!