Aland's pancakes

So...as promised we are finally on the island know as Aland. Now before I start, I do have to aploogize....there is some time delay....why...because in fact I was writing my blogs on my ipad and when i wanted to post...it kept giving me errors...so guess what, i had to wait until we were back home (Italy) and now post them one after the other....so yes, in fact we are back from Finland...but now back to where we were when I wrote this....Aland.

This blog is about the famous Aland's pancakes...or better known as Aland's Pannukakku. No, it is not a normal pancake, in fact it is quite different....contains rice or semolina and cardamon...let me share a recipe (once we were back home my husband made it for us and he made it with semolina flour):

2 dl (4/5 cup) semolina (or the same amount of pudding rice)
1 dl (2/5 cup) wheat flour
1 l (4 1/4 cups) whole milk
2 or 3 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 dl (2/5 cup) sugar
2 tsp cardamom

 So the first question you might have is...why are we in Aland...and very simple, my husband needed to do a renewal course for the ship which was in Aland and we decided to join. He went to class and Ben, Sofia and I decided to try out different places for eating Aland's pancake. The first day we tried a place called Julius Cafe....this one was the first one we stumbled across.

Julius Cafe...not very cosy inside at all...in fact it seemed like a place people get a quick coffee and pastry and would leave again....the pancake was made with rice pudding...it was grainy....it was served with raspberry jam and cream....what I liked...the Aland flag...hahaha....it was not bad...but was also not the best...let me share some pics...

Julius Cafe

Pancake

The next day....I decided to do some research on cafe's and I actually found one which looked rather quaint...so Sofia, Ben and I decided to try that one....the name...Bagarstugan.....already the outside was enchanting...and I just wanted to go inside...let me share a pic from the outside with you....

Bagarstugan

The inside...also very quaint...i loved the decoration....I thought it was very unique and awesome...let me share some pics...

 Interior

 Interior

 Interior

 Interior

Now of course...the verdict...but before that...let me share a pic of the beautiful display...cause so far...outside, inside and display...amazing...and I loved it all....

 Display

Display

Now.....let's talk about the pancake....let me share a pic....but before that I will share the verdict...it was absolutely amazing...cream...choice of prune and raspberry jam (raspberry of course) and whipped cream...amazing...and very yummie....here is the pic...oh yes, before I forget...this one was done with semolina flour and hence it was smooth...i guess that definitely contributed to my verdict...

Pancake

Now....the third afternoon, Ben and I wanted another new place..this time we tried a place called....Jiva Konitori e Cafe....was quite modern inside...but a very big display of goodies...the atmosphere was ok...nothing special....the pancake was ok...raspberry jam and cream, no flag and it was done with rice pudding....as I said...it was ok...nothing special. Let me share some pics...

 Outside

 Pancake, cappuccino and Trip (raspberry juice)

Now...you might already know this...the best one...for me....the second one....Bagarstugan. What I have to say though....cappuccino....let's not discuss....the first place, Julius, they did NOT have cappuccino...the second place the cappuccino was terrible and the third place also...so my verdict on cappuccino in Aland....do not do it...stick to normal coffee. Here is the problem, I love strong coffee and the Finnish, they might be the nation consuming most coffee by capita....BUT...their coffee is weak...abd normally filter coffee....so I think I will wait for my cappuccino for Porvoo (where I know there is a good one) but here in Al;and...not a chance...maybe in a few years...for now...nope. The Aland's pancakes, definitely something to try...Kim even made it at home and the entire family loved it. In fact I was quite surprised....I mean cardamon spice and thick and semolina flour...but truly...we all enjoyed it...can definitely make again....

Now I am off to bed though...next blog will be about some activities we did whilst Kim was at his course...just some small things....for now...cheers from me...we chat soon.


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