Homemade Nutella for Norway
I really wish I had a Norwegian recipe to post today. I have been really saddened by the tragic events in Oslo on Friday. As many of my readers know, I spent a year in Norway as an exchange student, in between high school and college, and I have very fond and vivid memories of my life there. The people, culture and independent spirit of Norway all have a very special place in my heart. I formed many long lasting friendships that year and still have many good friends and loved ones that live there, and a lot of them currently reside in Oslo. So Friday and Saturday were scary days waiting to hear from everyone.
JEG ELSKER NORGE!
I have been comforted these past few days by these words by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg:
“You will not destroy us. You will not destroy our democracy, or our commitment to a better world. We are a small country nation, but a proud nation. No one shall bomb us to silence, no one shall shoot us to silence, no one shall scare us out of being Norway. We must never stop standing up for our values. We must show that the Norwegian society can stand up to these testing times. We must show humanity, but not naivety.”
I keep reading this over and over and praying for the truth in those words. As an American, experiencing 9/11 and seeing the aftermath of such events and in many ways the loss of our many freedoms and our independent spirit, I can only hope that the Norwegians will keep that alive.
Although I know this does nothing, other than feebly lend support and love to my Norwegian friends and Norwegians all over the world, you can check out some of my Norwegian and Scandinavian inspired recipes from the past. Comfort food really is a comfort and can aid in feeding our spirit during trying times.
I spent all of Friday sweating over steamy vats of curds and whey and fluffing cheese curds at The Cellars at Jasper Hill – that is something for another post though…so when I got home that night, I hadn’t heard anything about what was going on in Norway. One of my best friends lives in Oslo, and so Roberto really was worried about telling me what had happened, but luckily she had posted on my facebook wall that everything was OK, and like a lot of other Norwegians, she and her husband were out of the country on holiday.
So in lieu of posting a Norwegian recipe, I am going to post about making homemade Nutella, because the first time I ever tasted Nutella it was in Norway. The first time I had it, I thought it was a Norwegian invention, and I was hooked! When I returned to the US, after my year in Norway, I was lucky to be able to find it in the grocery stores here, and so it has always been a staple in my house. Then I married an Italian (Italy is the actual birthplace of Nutella) and we just always had a jar in the pantry…until we noticed the ingredient profile had changed and it now included soy lecithin and vanillin – artificial vanilla …so we stopped buying it. We have found and tried several organic and more healthy versions, but they never really tasted that good, and were expensive.
In comes The Spunky Coconut blog. I am an avid fan of both the blog and the cookbook – The Spunky Coconut has really changed my life in a lot of ways, her baked goods are all gluten and grain free and don’t contain weird fillers and gums, like a lot of gluten-free baked goods do. I have tried several of her recipes, and they have all been fantastic – perfect taste and texture every time – and they don’t require any tweaking, which makes my life so easy!
So when she posted a recipe for homemade Nutella on her blog, I felt like our prayers had been answered – especially for Roberto.
The only thing I changed about the recipe was by adding a bit of maple syrup at the end to taste. Roberto, the official taste tester felt that it wasn’t sweet enough. I probably ended up adding a little shy of ¼ cup of it after all was said and done. The recipe makes 3-4 small mason jars full, and she says in the comments that she actually froze one jar of it – but I am not sure if it turned out OK.
Roberto’s tasting notes: Regular Nutella is now way too sweet for us (we have cut down on a lot of sugar and don’t use any refined sugar products), and it has more of a bitter dark chocolate taste than regular Nutella, however because it is less sweet, he says it is more versatile. He has been enjoying it spread on The Spunky Coconut’s Boulder Banana Bread (minus the walnuts, I usually add about 2 TBS of almond butter).
The Duo Dishes - July 25, 2011 at 2:35 pm
The world is a crazy place sometimes. You just never know what can happen when. You no doubt had an amazing experience during your time there. It’s thoughtful of you to dedicate this space and time to those affected. Homemade Nutella can definitely have healing power.
Rosa - July 25, 2011 at 2:37 pm
It is so sad what happened in Norway…
Your homemade Nutella looks gorgeous and so comforting.
Cheers,
Rosa
bellini - July 25, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Now I want to make my own Nutella too!!! Great for Christmas gifts!
5 Star Foodie - July 25, 2011 at 5:25 pm
We were so shocked about the bombing in Oslo, seeing all the pictures of the streets that we have just walked on a few weeks ago made us so very sad. It’s really such a tragedy.
Your homemade nutella sounds excellent. My daughter has recently discovered nutella and I can’t wait to make a homemade version for her, she will love it.
Amanda - July 25, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Nothing feeble about your support Jenn. I know it’s hard to explain why a tragedy touches you on a personal level, but this is quiet and honest and beautifully expressed. I’m so glad all of your friends are safe. It’s really too awful for words.
The recipe is genius and such a wonderful tie to discovering that part of the world. xo
Peter - July 26, 2011 at 7:32 am
I’ve wanted to make my own Nutella for years…ever read the label of the real stuff? Anyways…the world steps in tune with Norway and it’s sad that even this peaceful nation isn’t immune to such violence.
Arlene (MOM) - July 26, 2011 at 10:24 am
I still have the recipe sitting on my counter. Good I waited since you added the bit about the maple syrup.
I too am so sad to hear the news from Norway. Much relief that your friends are well, but I grieve for the rest of them too.
Miz Helen - July 26, 2011 at 7:44 pm
It is a very sad time for our world. We must comfort each other and your Nutella for Norway is a beautiful comfort post. Thank you for your beautiful post and may all the people find peace.
Miz Helen
kat - July 28, 2011 at 9:57 am
Matt loves Nutella so I should really try making homemade for him since we don’t buy it in the store.
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul - July 29, 2011 at 7:47 am
I too was shocked and saddened by the events in Norway too Jenn. I’m glad yo could do this and enjoy a healthy version of your favourite treat. Thanks for linking to the recipe too (looks super easy!).
toontz - July 29, 2011 at 4:54 pm
So saddened too, Jenn. Thank you for sharing this recipe, as my girls LOVE Nutella, and I had stopped buying it as well.
Simone - July 30, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I was also deeply shocked when I heard the news in Norway.. I cannot understand what possesses certain people to do these things!! And every little bit of support helps Jen, even if it is something as small as making homemade nutella…. It looks delicious!
Jackie - July 31, 2011 at 1:06 pm
The news of Norway was both shocking and saddening. My heart goes out to everyone over there.
The nutella recipe sounds really good. I will certainly be trying this out.
Erica - August 2, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Wow!!!That looks so good..I love nutella!!
I would love to try homemade nutella.
Jenni - August 3, 2011 at 11:25 am
Lending support is never a feeble endeavor. Adding your positive thoughts and prayers to the millions of others can only help.
On another note, so glad you guys have been able to find a reasonable sub for Nutella:)
Donna - August 8, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I must try this, it looks so good.
It was horrible what happened, It’s still pretty hard to comprehend.
Shu Han Lee - August 13, 2011 at 1:51 pm
gosh why has it never occured to me that you can totally make nutella a healthy spread too, by making it with real ingredients! thanks so much for this! will totally use it on crepes with bananas, my sister’s favourite!
http://mummyicancook.blogspot.com/2011/08/sourdough-crepe-that-was-easy.html
and i’m sorry about norway, you’re so sweet to be doing this!