Useful Words & Phrases in Swedish

First, some Swedish pronunciation tips for your Swedish phrases:Most consonants are exactly the same in Swedish as they are in English. There are some exceptions in Swedish: j: pronounced like the "y" in "yellow"
g: pronounced like the English "g" if it is followed by an a, o, or å; pronounced like the "y" in "yellow" if followed by an e, i, ä, or ö
k: pronounced like the English "k" if it is followed by an a, o, or å; pronounced like "sh" if followed by an e, i, ä, or ö
rs: r followed by s is pronounced as "sh"
This provides a basic idea of the pronunciation of vowels: a: pronounced like the "aw" in "claw"
e: pronounced like the "e" in "fell"
i: pronounced like the "ee" in "fleece"
o: the pronunciation falls between that of "o" in "close" and "oo" in "moose"
u: pronounced like the "oo" in "moose"
y: the pronunciation falls between that of "oo" in "moose" and "y" in "any" (the trick: shape your mouth as if you were going to say "y" but then try to say "oo")
å: the pronunciation falls between that of "o" in "close" and "o" in "pot"
ä: pronounced like the "a" in "apple"
ö: pronounced like the "u" in "full"
Swedish Greetings
Hello: Hej.Goodbye: Adjö/Hej då.Yes: Ja.No: Nej.Please: Snälla/Vänligen.Thank you: Tack.That's fine: Det är bra.You are welcome: VarsågodExcuse me (sorry): Ursäkta mig/FörlåtDo you speak English?: Talar du engelska?I don't understand: Jog förstår inte.How much is it?: Hur mycket kostar den?What's your name?: Vad heter du?My name is …: Jag heter …
Swedish Small Talk
Where is the …?: Var finns …?Bus stop: busshållplatsenTrain station: tågstationenTramstop: spårvagnshållplatsenWhat time does the …leave/arrive?: Nar avgar/kommer?Boat: båtenBus (city): bussenTram: spårvagnenTrain: tåget
Swedish SignsEntrance: ingångExit: utgångNo vacancies: fulltInformation: informationOpen: öppenClosed: stängdPolice station: polisstationRooms available: lediga rumToilets: toalettMen: herrarWomen: damer
Around townBank: bankCity centre: centrum… embassy: … ambassadenmy hotel: mitt hotellmarket: marknadennewsagency: nyhetsbyråpost office: postkontoretpublic telephone: offentlig telefonpublic toilet: offentlig toaletttourist office: turistinformationwhat time does it open/close?: när öppnar/stänger de?(strong) beer: starköl
Swedish Times & Dates
What time is it?: Vad ar klockan?Today: idagTomorrow: imorgonYesterday: igårMorning: morgonenAfternoon: eftermiddagenNight: nattMonday: måndagTuesday: tisdagWednesday: onsdagThursday: torsdagFriday: fredagSaturday: lördagSunday: söndag
Swedish NumbersZero: nollOne: ettTwo: tvåThree: treFour: fyraFive: femSix: sexSeven: sjuEight: åttaNine: nioTen: tio

Useful Words & Phrases in Finnish (Suomi)

First, the pronunciation of Finnish phrases:Finnish (Suomi) has regular pronunciation without many exceptions. Usually, Finnish words are pronounced just like they are spelled. Keep these differences between Finnish and English vowels in mind when pronouncing Finnish phrases:A: pronounced like the u in "cup"
Ä: sounds close to the a in "hat"
E: pronounced like e in "hen"
I: sounds like i in "tip"
Y: close to the u in the British pronunciation of "you" with tight lips
Ö: pronounced like the u in "fur" with tight lips
Finnish/Suomi Greetings & Small TalkHello: Hei.Goodbye: Näkemiin.Yes: Kyllä.No: Ei.Thank you: Kiitos.You are welcome: Ei kestä.Excuse me: Anteeksi.My name is ...: Nimeni on ...Nice to meet you: Hauska tavata.
Finnish/Suomi Travel PhrasesHotel: HotelliRoom: HuoneReservation: Varaus Do you have any vacancies today?: Onko täksi illaksi vielä tilaa? I'm sorry, I don't speak Finnish: Anteeksi, en puhu suomea.No vacancies: Ei ole tilaa. Passport: Passi Airport: Lentokenttä Train station: Rautatieasema Bus station: Bussiasema Where is ...?: Missä on ...? Ticket: Lippu 1 ticket to ... : Yksi lippu ... Train: Juna Bus: Bussi Subway: Metro
Finnish/Suomi Numbers & Days1: yksi, 2: kaksi, 3: kolme, 4: neljä, 5: viisi, 6: kuusi, 7: seitsemän, 8: kahdeksan, 9: yhdeksän, 10: kymmenenMonday: maanantai, Tuesday: tiistai, Wednesday: keskiviikko, Thursday: torstai, Friday: perjantai, Saturday: lauantai, Sunday: sunnuntai

Helsinki Map

The Best Attractions in Helsinki, Finland

Looking for unforgettable attractions in Helsinki, Finland? Let's find out which attractions in Helsinki are the city's best attractions, and which Helsinki attractions you definitely need to visit on your next Helsinki trip...here are attractions for every taste.

1. Helsinki's Suomenlinna Fortress

Wiki Creative Commons

Built in the 1700s on 6 islands, Suomenlinna Fortress is to this date one of Helsinki's most popular and famous attractions open year-round. There are about 800 inhabitants and you can enjoy different museums, shops, cafes, and restaurants for. To reach this Helsinki attraction, take a ferry from Helsinki's Market Square. Suomenlinna fortress is also one of Finland's UNESCO world heritage sites.

2. Helsinki's Historic City Center

Sxh.hu / Nyee

One of the first things Helsinki visitors talk about when returning home, is the historic city center of Helsinki. The city center of Finland's capital dates back to the 1600s and offers you attractions and sights at several locations in the middle of Helsinki: City Hall, Helsinki Cathedral, the Market Square, the Old Market Hall and the Presidential Palace!

3. Töölönlahti Bay

Cepolina.com

Impossible to pronounce for non-natives, but wonderful to visit: Töölönlahti Bay in Helsinki. The park around Töölönlahti Bay starts directly in Helsinki, and is a popular destination even for Helsinki residents! Besides a quiet and relaxing afternoon, Töölönlahti Bay also offers visitors the colorfully planted Winter Garden, the Sports Museum and the Finnish National Opera, the Olympic Stadium, Finlandia Hall and the Linnunlaulu district of the wooden villas.

4. Hietaniemi Beach

Many think that Finnish weather is too cold for swimming. No, along with warm summers, Helsinki offers over 310 islands and a coastline close to 100 kilometers long. Helsinki visitors and locals alike love the swimming beaches here, and the most popular beach is Hietaniemi Beach (short "Hietsu") which every Helsinki local knows. If it's too crowded for your taste, visit the other big beach at Seurasaari. The beaches are popular attractions for families.

5. Museum Island Seurasaari

Cepolina.com

Seurasaari is an island. But not just any island - it's Helsinki's museum island, one of the biggest attractions in Helsinki. The open-air museum Seurasaari shows Finnish traditions and buildings from the 1700s to the 1900s and offers visitors workshops and events for the whole family in summer. Seurasaari is also the location for annual celebrations like Christmas, Easter and Midsummer's Eve in summer.

6. Linnanmäki Amusement Park

Linnanmäki Amusement Park in Helsinki is a very popular attraction for families with children, and offers the beautifully illuminated "Carnival of Lights" each October concluding the summer season (open May - late September). Make sure to experience the Carnival of Lights with your children, if you can. There is also a special winter event in February.

7. Helsinki's Old Town

© Jonik, CC License

Helsinki's Old Town (Arabianranta area) is a popular attraction in Helsinki. There's not much "old" here, as a matter of fact, Old Town is now a modern part of the city showing new Scandinavian architecture and design in Finland's capital. Old Town is the attraction where Helsinki's past now meets the present.

8. Helsinki Central Railway Station

One of Helsinki's most recognizable attractions is the Central Railway Station in Helsinki. It opened in 1919 and has four granite guards at the main entrance. Today, Helsinki's Central Railway Station is considered to be one of the most admired Finnish architectural works. National and international rail services are available here. The new Ice Park with skating & live entertainment (Nov-March) next to the train station is a great attraction in winter!

National Museum, Sweden

Nationalmuseum (or National Museum of Fine Arts) is the national gallery of Sweden, located on the peninsula Blasieholmen in central Stockholm.
The museum exhibits an impressive art collection due to its benefactors, King Gustav III and Carl Gustaf Tessin. The museum was founded in 1792 as Kungliga Museet ("Royal Museum"), but the present building was opened in 1866, when it was renamed the Nationalmuseum.

Gallery of Roman sculpture in the Kungliga Museet, c1810, watercolor by Pehr Hilleström the Elder

The museum is home to about half a million drawings from the Middle Ages to 1900, prominent Rembrandt and Dutch 17th-century collection, and a collection of porcelain items, paintings, sculptures, and modern art as well. The museum also has an art library, open to the public and academics alike.
The current building, built between 1844 and 1866, was inspired by North Italian Renaissance architecture. It is the design of the German architect Friedrich August Stüler, who also designed the Neues Museum in Berlin. The relatively closed exterior, save for the central entrance, gives no hint of the spacious interior dominated by the huge flight of stairs leading up to the topmost galleries. The museum was enlarged in 1961 to accommodate the museum workshops. The present restaurant was instated in 1996.

Stockholm archipelago

The Stockholm archipelago (Swedish: Stockholms skärgård) is the largest archipelago of Sweden, and the second largest archipelago of the Baltic Sea.

Geography
The archipelago extends from Stockholm roughly 60 kilometers to the east. In a north-south direction, it mainly follows the coastline of the provinces Södermanland and Uppland, reaching roughly from Öja island, south of Nynäshamn to Väddö north of Norrtälje. It is separated from Åland by a stretch of water named South Kvarken. A separate group of islands lies further north, near the town of Öregrund. There are approximately 30,000 islands and islets.^[1] Some of its more well known islands are Dalarö, Finnhamn, Grinda, Husarö, Ingarö, Isö, Ljusterö, Möja, Nämdö, Rödlöga, Tynningö, Utö, Svartsö and Värmdö.
The biggest towns of the archipelago, apart from Stockholm, are Nynäshamn, Vaxholm and Norrtälje. The village of Ytterby, famous among chemists for naming no fewer than four chemical elements (erbium, terbium, ytterbium and yttrium), is situated on Resarö in the Stockholm Archipelago.
The shipping routes from the Baltic to Stockholm pass through the archipelago. There are three main entrances suitable for deep-draught craft, namely, those near Landsort, Sandhamn, and Söderarm.
Cruising between the small islands through the Stockholm Archipelago to either Åland or Helsinki in Finland is an experience. Weather allowing, the experience can be enhanced by enjoying a spectacular sunset from the deck that during summer months lasts until 10:30 - 11:00 o’clock at night.

[edit] History

The landscape has been shaped – and is still being shaped – by land elevation. It wasn't until the Viking Age that the archipelago began to assume its present day contours. The islands rise by about three millimeters each year. In 1719 the archipelago had an estimated population of 2,900, consisting mostly of fishermen. Today the archipelago is a popular holiday destination with some 50,000 holiday cottages (owned mainly by Stockholmers). The Stockholm Archipelago Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of the nature and culture of the archipelago, owns some 15 % of its total area.
The inhabitants in the archipelago from around mid 1400 up to the time when the second world war ended, were combined farmers and fishermen. The fishing in the outer archipelago was quite intensive during springtime and autumn during 1450 until mid 1800, and a lot of fishermen lived for long periods in the outer islands because of the long distance to their permanent houses in the inner archipelago. The combined farming and fishing culture lasted until around 1950-1955 when the younger generation, born during and directly after the war started to leave the archipelago and look for jobs in the cities on the main land. Today most of the small farms on the islands are closed and the fish industry has almost disappeared.

[edit] Culture

Many poets, authors and artists have been influenced and fascinated by the Stockholm Archipelago. Among them are August Strindberg, Ture Nerman, Roland Svensson, Ernst Didring and Aleister Crowley.
Boating is an extremely popular activity with the sailing race Ornö runt (or Around the island of Ornö) being the largest in the archipelago. This annual race has taken place 35 years in a row beginning in 1973. It is open to anyone with a sailingboat but requires registration. There are different entry classes, with the family class being the least competitive. Tyresö boatclub arranges this event.
In the winter skaters make excursions over the ice.

[edit] Travel

Visiting the larger islands in the archipelago is easy all year round, but during winter period the routes depend on the ice conditions. Several companies have regular routes. The largest ship owner company is Waxholmsbolaget owned by the Stockholm County government. Taxi boats are also available. In the summertime the archipelago is bristling with private boats filled with people who often takes advantage of Allemansrätt (or "everyman's right"), a law which gives anyone the right to go ashore or anchor on any ground not in the direct vicinity of buildings.

How to get to Viking Line Terminal

The ferry terminal Vikingterminalen (Viking Line):
Location: At Stadsgårdsleden in Södermalm. Go to the subway station Slussen and choose the exit that says Slussenterminalen (the bus terminal). After that, go to the right along the water, either by walking for 15 minutes or by taking any of all the local buses for one stop, to the stop Londonviadukten, and then cross the street (ask the driver to be sure he stops there). Viking Line also have their own shuttle buses connecting the terminal with the bus terminal Slussenterminalen. It costs 40 kr for a two minute ride. (Viking Line also have shuttle buses from Cityterminalen.)

How to Get from Stockholm to Helsinki

(and from Helsinki back to Stockholm...)

By Terri Mapes, About.com Guide

See More About:

• stockholm
• helsinki
• city to city
• transportation

Silja Line Ferry Stockholm to Helsinki

Public Domain Image

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To get from Stockholm to Helsinki and back, travelers have mainly two transportation options. Each choice has pros and cons, so let's find out which way is best for you to travel between Stockholm and Helsinki...

1- Stockholm to Helsinki by Air

Many direct flights between Stockholm and Helsinki are operated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Finnair. They're also usually the cheapest flights available between these two cities, starting around $130/£80. The flights from Stockholm to Helsinki or from Helsinki to Stockholm depart several times a day and only are an hour long. Quick and easy, but not the cheapest way.

• Compare flight prices from Stockholm to Helsinki
• Compare flight prices from Helsinki to Stockholm

2- Stockholm to Helsinki by Ship

If you have some time to spare while traveling, there's a 16 hour long ferry connection between Stockholm and Helsinki leaving in the afternoon and arriving the following morning. The Viking Line and the Silja Line ferries both cover Stockholm-Helsinki (and Helsinki-Stockholm). Both cruise lines include on board services such as bars, restaurants, different types of cabins, and duty-free shopping.The Viking Line offers cheaper cruise prices but uses older ships; Silja Line cruises are more expensive but also offer more elegance. Booking a weeknight cruise ticket from Stockholm to Helsinki is cheapest, and there's another discount if you buy a round-trip ticket. Starting around €40, this is a cheap way to get from Stockholm to Helsinki or back, but not very fast. (You could also take a ferry from Stockholm to Åbo, Finland, and make your way south to Helsinki from there by bus or car.)

3- Stockholm to Helsinki by Train

There are no train connections between Stockholm and Helsinki. Take a look at the map of Sweden and imagine where the train would have to go...

4- Stockholm to Helsinki by Car

Much like the train method, there's no direct land connection between Stockholm and Helsinki. You'll have to take the 16-hour ferry if you want to take your car with you. Vehicle rates are reasonable, especially on the Viking Line. Ferry destinations suitable for this option would be Helsinki City Center or Åbo, Finland.

5- Stockholm to Helsinki by Bus

Sorry, buses are not a viable option. The only other option apart from flying is taking a ferry. If you're on a budget, try the cheap Viking Line and book a ticket as a foot passenger on a weekday

Pad Thai Jay

Step 1: You will need

• 1 tbsp peanuts
• 1/4 red onion
• 1 spring onion
• 100 g tofu
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 500 g rice noodles
• 2 tbsp tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp chilli sauce
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tbsp fish oil
• 1 handful of bean sprouts
• 1 lettuce leaf
• 1 sprig of parsley
• 1 carrot
• 1 knife
• 1 chopping board
• 1 wok
• 1 spoon or ladle

Step 2: Chop

Finely chop 1 tbsp of peanuts and 1/4 of a red onion.
Then slice 1 spring onion into diagonal strips, or julienne.

Step 3: The tofu

Slice about 100g of tofu into bite sized chunks.
Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok at a high temperature and fry the tofu for about 2 minutes. Once fried the pieces of tofu will appear crispy on the outside. Remove them from the wok and put aside for later.

Step 4: Stir fry

Add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to the wok and heat at a high temperature.
Crack 1 egg into the wok
then add the chopped onion and 500g of rice noodles.
Stir fry for about 30 seconds.
Now add 2 tbsp of tomato sauce, ordinary ketchup will do, and 1tabsp of fish oil
1 1/2 tbsp of chilli sauce
1 tsp of caster sugar
and 1 tbsp of fish oil.
Stir fry for a further 30 seconds and then add the fried tofu. Stir and then add the chopped peanuts, a handful of bean sprouts and finally, the sliced spring onions.
Stir fry for another minute.

Step 5: Garnish

Decorate a serving plate with a lettuce leaf, a sprig of parsley and a carved carrot.
Then spoon the Pad Thai onto the plate

Step 6: Serve

Thai Green Chicken Curry

Step 1: You will need…

• 4 chicken thigh fillets, boneless, skinless and cut into bits
• 200 g green beans, halved
• 1 tbsp oil
• 250 ml coconut milk
• 120 ml water
• 6 kaffir lime leaves, available from oriental food stores
• 1 bunch of chopped spring onions, for garnish
• 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp shrimp paste
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3 small fresh chillies
• 3 green shallots, finely chopped
• 2 cm of galangal, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 stem of fresh lemon grass, chopped
• 1 handful of fresh coriander
• 2 kaffir lime leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp fish sauce

• 1 sharp knife
• 1 cutting board
• 1 blender
• 1 spatula
• 1 small frying pan
• 1 piece of aluminium foil
• 1 wok or large, deep frying pan
• 1 large stirring spoon

Step 2: Make the curry paste in 3 steps

For the first step of making the curry paste, roast the coriander and cumin seeds without any oil in the frying pan for 2 minutes, shaking the pan constantly. Secondly, wrap the shrimp paste in a little foil and cook under a hot grill for 2 minutes, turning the package over twice. Thirdly, mix the roasted spices with the shrimp paste for 5 seconds in the blender. Add all the remaining spices in the Curry Paste list together with the oil: green chillies, shallots, galangal, garlic, lemon grass, coriander leaves, lime leaves and blend for a few seconds, till the mixture forms a smooth paste.

Step 3: Cook the spices

Next, heat the oil in the wok on medium heat, add the curry paste and cook for a minute, stirring constantly, till it becomes fragrant.

Step 4: Finish the curry sauce

To complete the curry sauce, add the coconut milk and water to the wok and bring gently to a boil. For a thicker curry sauce, you can use half coconut cream and half coconut milk.

Step 5: Cook the chicken

Now, add the chicken pieces as well as the beans and lime leaves to the sauce and mix well. Leaving the wok uncovered, simmer for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked. Add the fish sauce and stir till thoroughly blended.

Step 6: Garnish the meal

Finally, place the curry in a serving bowl and garnish with the spring onions.

Step 7: Serving suggestions

The dish can be served with a bowl of white rice and pickled cucumber.

Chicken Salad Supreme

Chicken Salad Supreme
Ingredients

• 4 cups boneless whole chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
• 3/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup pineapple tidbits, drained
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup seedless grapes
• 1 head iceberg lettuce - rinsed, dried, and chopped

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, raisins, mustard, mayonnaise, pineapple, curry powder and celery. Mix ingredients and divide among four servings of lettuce.
2. Top with pecans and garnish with grapes.

Ciak Bek/Sir Friend Port with Preserved Soy Bean Paste

Ciak Bek/Stir-Fried Pork with Preserved Soy Bean Paste

Ingredients:

500 gm pork fillet, thinly sliced
50 gm garlic, blended or pounded to a paste
40 gm ginger, julienne
1 tbsp Preserved soy bean paste / taucheo, mashed
1 1/2 tbsp Light soy sauce
1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
250-300 ml water
2-3 tbsp oil

1. Heat oil in a wok and stir-fry the ginger until lightly brown at the edges. Add in the garlic and fry until aromatic before adding in the soy bean paste. Stir thoroughly and fry until oil surfaces. Be careful that you do not burn the paste. Use low fire if needed.
2. Add the pork and fry until it turns opaque. Add in the water. Add in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and season with sugar. Bring to a boil. Cook until the pork is done and the gravy has thickened.
3. Check seasoning before transferring to a serving dish and serve it with rice.

Braised Chicken with potaoes

Braised Chicken with Potatoes

 Ingredients:

Half chicken
2 potatoes – peel and quartered
2 medium size carrots – peel and cut into chunks
1 small onion – quartered
4 slices of ginger
3 cloves garlic – chopped

Sauce:

2 cups water
2 tsp dark soy sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp of cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

1. Clean chicken, remove skin and fats. Cut into bite size pieces
2. Heat up about 2 tbsp of oil in a wok; add in garlic, onion and ginger. Stir fry until fragrant and lightly brown.
3. Add in the chicken, spread it out on the wok and let it brown lightly on one side before stirring it. Continue to stir-fry until the chicken pieces no longer pink.
4. Add in the water, all the seasonings and bring it up to a boil. Add in the potatoes, carrots and turn the heat down to medium. Cover and let it braised until chicken cooks, potatoes and carrot soft.
5. Add in the cornstarch solutions, bring it up to boil and sauce thickens. Check seasonings. Dish out and serve with rice.

Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe

Hainanese Chicken Rice RecipeServes 4
For the rice
3 cups uncooked washed rice
5 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves finely chopped garlic
4 finely chopped shallots
2 + 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp chicken broth
4-6 blades of pandan leave (screwpine leaves)
1 small thumb of ginger, cleaned and bruised
1 tbsp of the garlic and shallot oil
70g chicken fats
1+ 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
For the chicken
1 whole chicken, preferably free range organic chicken
1 small thumb of ginger, cleaned and bruised
5-6 stalks of scallion, washed
10 bowls chicken stock, adjust accordingly
4 blades of pandan leaves (screwpine leaves)
1 carrot, roughly chopped
2 + 1 tsp of salt
10 bowls of cold water
1 cucumber, peeled, halved and sliced diagonally
For the sauce
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp chicken broth
3 tsp sesame oil
3 tsp garlic and shallot oil
For chicken rice chilli sauce
90g red chilies (you may add in some bird’s eye chili)
15g garlic
50g ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
50ml chicken broth
60ml lime juice, to taste
To garnish
few sprigs of cilantro
Method:
For the chicken
1. Wash chicken, drain well, stuff ginger and scallion into the chicken’s cavity. Using 2 tsp of salt as scrub, rub the salt all over the chicken for smooth looking skin.
2. In a not too large stockpot which fits the chicken perfectly, boil the chicken stock (enough to cover the whole chicken) together with pandan leaves, carrot and salt
3. Submerge the whole chicken, breast side down in the boiling water for 35-45 minutes depending on the size of the chicken. Lower the heat to gentle simmer immediately.
4. When chicken is cooked, remove chicken and plunge it into prepared cold water at once for 10 minutes. Keep the chicken broth** for later use.
5. Drain the chicken, discard ginger and scallion from the cavity and set it aside to cool before chopping it neatly into desired serving size.

For the rice
1. Heat oil in wok, fry chopped shallots and garlic till fragrant and golden in colour. Add rice and stir well. Transfer the rice mixture to rice cooker.
2. Once transferred, add chicken broth, pandan leaves, ginger, garlic and shallot oil, chicken fats and salt into rice mixture. Cook according to rice cooker’s manual instruction.
To prepare chicken rice
1. Line a serving plate with cucumber slices.
2. Arrange chicken pieces on top, pour in the prepared sauce before garnishing with cilantro.
3. Serve with chicken rice, side soup and chicken rice chili sauce.

Claypot Chicken Rice 煲仔鸡饭

Ingredients
(Serve 2)
- 500g chicken thighs, cut to small pieces
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 cup water + 2 tbsp water from soaking mushrooms
- 6 dried Chinese mushrooms, rinsed and soaked in hot water, stalks trimmed, quartered (reserve soaking water)
- 2 lup cheong (Chinese sausages/腊肠), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes before removing wax covering, sliced diagonally
- 1 1/2 tbsp cooking oil, divided
- a small piece of salted fish (about 10g), finely chopped
- 2 baby bok choy/xiao bai cai (小白菜), ends trimmed
(A) Marinade
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp ginger juice (grate some ginger, gather the pulp and squeeze the juice)
Directions
1. Marinade chicken pieces with (A) for 15 minutes.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in the clay pot. Add salted fish bits and fry until golden brown. Turn off the stove and take out salted fish, leaving behind the oil in the claypot.
3. Add washed rice to the clay pot, coating the rice grains with the oil left in the clay pot using a spatula.
4. Add 1 cup water together with 2 tbsp water used to soak the mushrooms.
5. Cover claypot with lid. Simmer the rice until it is almost cooked, about 10 minutes.
6. Add the marinated chicken pieces without the leftover marinating sauce (otherwise, the rice may get too soggy) on top of the rice. Scatter fried salted fish bits, mushrooms and lup cheong over. Drizzle 1/2 tbsp oil along the walls of the clay pot so that the rice can form a nice crust.
7. Cover the claypot and simmer for another 15 minutes. Turn off the stove. Add the baby bok choy and cover with lid, allowing the contents of the claypot to keep warm and slow cook on their own for another 10-15 minutes before serving.

Travel to Finland

Finland has 1,250 km of coastline and is located in Northern Europe. It encircles the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea, and Gulf of Bothnia. Known for its unspoiled wilderness, there is something in the Finnish air that is bound to attract you.
Although the country enjoys an edge over most of the European countries, there are few areas in Finland that have remained remote and underdeveloped. Helsinki is the modern capital of the country and it will not be wrong to say that this is essentially an activity hub.
If you travel to Finland in winter, what you experience will be totally different from what you experience if you travel to the country in summer. Summers are arid and hot. And winters are cold but they are dry.

Best time to visit Finland
The best time of the year when you will find most of the travelers flocking to this place is between June and August. This is the time when summers are giving way to chilly winters. This is also the time when hotels are all decked up to make them look inviting to the tourists. It appears as though Finland never sleeps. So, if you are planning to visit Finland during this period, make sure that you book rooms to avoid the last minute rush.

Places of interest in Finland

• There are many places in Finland that will mesmerize you with its beauty. Some of the places you can visit when you travel to Finland include the following

-Turku
This is one of the oldest towns in Finland and has medieval castles, museums, cathedral, boat bars, and a night life that can be equally captivating.

2. Jyvaskyla

Jyvaskyla is known for its architectural splendor and Lakeland University. Take a tour of the town and explore its history.

3. Lakeland

Finland is home to as many as 188,000 lakes. As such it offers ample opportunity to indulge in some of the activities that people long for. These may include boating, swimming, canoeing, and fishing etc. In addition to the places of interest mentioned above, you can try visiting the following places too. However, you need to have enough time.

Tourist attractions in Helsinki

You can visit the following places of interest in Helsinki, Finland. They are -

1. Fortress of Suomenlinna
2. Rock Church
3. Ateneum Art Museum
4. Marimekko
5. Hakaniemi Market Square
6. Uspenski Cathedral etc
   
   Attractions in Vantaa, Finland
   
   Check out the following places in Vantaa.
   
7. Fazer Chocolate Factory
8. Heureka Finnish Science Centre
9. Pyhan Laurin Kirkko
10. Akvaariolinna
11. Flamingo Entertainment Centre etc
    
    Attractions in Tampere
12. Pyynikki Park and Observation Tower
13. Finlaysonin Tehdasalue
14. Galaxie Center
15. Vapriikin Museokeskus etc
    
    Finland Levi Attractions
16. Kid's Land
17. Levi Ski Resort
18. Inghams Mini Husky Experience etc
    
    Finland accommodation
    
    
    You will find hotels of different categories when you travel to Finland. These may be 5 star, 4 star, and 3 star rated hotels. Budget or economy hotels are common too. Settle for a hotel after comparing rates and services.
    Getting there
    
    There are many airline companies that fly between European destinations. The best is to book a round trip. Tickets are generally cheaper if a Saturday night stay is included in your trip.

Top 10 Must See Attractions in Stockholm

10 Must-See Attractions in StockholmThe capital of Sweden has a reputation as a cosmopolitan, progressive and prosperous city, where although the price of a drink and decent meal may set you back relative to home (unless home is Tokyo or Geneva), you won’t necessarily resent the sting.

Why? Well, the urban heart and face of Sweden is a fabulous city, to be quite honest. One of the most popular destinations in Scandinavia, Stockholm has a wonderful cityscape, a dynamic arts and culture scene and myriad parks and recreation space to explore. At least ten must-see attractions as well.

10. Stockholm Palace

The Royal Palace of Stockholm provides the global city with a crown jewel landmark. The location is prime, on Stadsholmen (city island), in the heart of Gamla Stan (the old town). Built from 1697 to 1760, the impressive main facade is one of the most familiar symbols in Sweden. Incredibly, the home of the Swedish royal family has more than 600 rooms.

9. Stockholm City Hall

A brilliant and singular city hall by all accounts, Stockholm City Hall is a popular tourist attraction for several reasons. For one, the architecture, a beautiful example of Nordic National Romantic style, is remarkable. Second, the location on Lake Malaren’s Kungsholmen island is idyllic. Last but not least, the Nobel Prize banquet takes place here every year.

 

8. Vasa Museum

Nordic Europe is the ideal place to visit a maritime museum and Stockholm may have the best one in the entire region. The Vasa Museum is the most popular museum in all of Scandinavia and features some extraordinary sea vessels from the past.

 

7. Storkyrkan

Stockholm’s Great Church, or Storkyrkan, is a perfect example of the city’s and indeed Sweden’s unique architectural legacy. Built in Brick Gothic style, the Gamla Stan 13th century landmark sits next to the Royal Palace, amid some of the best points of interest in Stockholm.

6. Swedish Museum of Natural History

With a collection that dates back to the early 18th century, the Swedish Museum of Natural History is a national treasure. Together with a Gothenburg equivalent, the Stockholm facility is a veritable history lesson on Sweden and Nordic Europe and features a planetarium and IMAX cinema.

 

5. Nordiska Museet

With explicit focus on the sociology and ethnography of Sweden, the Nordic Museum is where visitors go to complete their formal education on the vast cultural landscape of the country. On the central island of Djurgarden, the magnificent museum is well worth a few hours of your time.

 

4. Skogskyrkogarden

One of the most unique UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, let alone Sweden, the Skogskyrkogarden is as much a treasure trove of architecture and native design that blends seamlessly with the natural environment as it is a cemetery.

3. Riddarholmen Church

One of the most senior landmarks in Sweden, the Riddarholmen Church is close to the Royal Palace on the Stockholm island of the same name. With roots in the 13th century, the Riddarholmen’s unmistakable grand cast iron spire was built much later, in the 19th century.

2. Stockholm Archipelago

Many visitors to Sweden’s capital have no idea that in effect, Stockholm is part of a great archipelago that extends some sixty kilometers out into the Baltic Sea. As such, a plethora of beauty and tidy island hamlets unfurl beyond the chic urban confines of the city. Take a day trip then and book a cruise, private boat or taxi boat and get out of central Stockholm in the summer months.

1. Drottningholm Palace

The opulent and immense private residence of the Swedish monarchy is a beautiful palace on the island of Lovon on the periphery of Stockholm proper. Built in the 16th century, Drottningholm Palace is actually one of several private homes of the royal family but perhaps the most popular with visitors. The grand estate and gardens combine to form a notable UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

discover the most affordable hotel rates all over Stockholm.

Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe

How To Make Sweet And Sour Chicken

Step 1: You will need

• 1/2 kg chicken breast
• 1/4 cups (60ml) corn starch
• 1 green pepper
• 4 pineapple slices
• 1 medium onion
• Sauce:
• 3 tbsp vinegar
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp ketchup
• 5 tbsp water
• 2 tsp corn starch
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 2- 4 cups corn oil, for frying
• large wok or skillet
• large chef knife
• strainer

Step 2: Prepare The ChickenStart by slicing the chicken into one inch cubes and placing the cubes into a clean bowl. Now add a half cup (64 g) of corn starch into the bowl and thoroughly coat the chicken cubes. The corn starch acts as a sealing agent, keeping the chicken moist on the inside during the frying.

Step 3: Oil Blanch The ChickenNow oil blanch the chicken cubes, which essentially means deep-frying for a very brief time. Place the chicken cubes in a few inches of pre-heated vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet. The oil should be between 325o - 350o (163o- 177o C). You will know when the oil is hot enough when you start to see smoke or little squiggly lines in the oil.
Take care not to overcrowd the chicken when placing in the wok. Oil blanching is intended only to seal in the chicken's moisture, not to fully cook the chicken. So when finished, the chicken is still raw inside. You will know when the chicken is done when it turns a golden brown, which will take between 30 and 60 seconds. Upon removing from the oil, drain the chicken on a paper towel and repeat the process with the remaining chicken.

Step 4: Prepare The VegetablesTake your green peppers and seed it by either using your knife to cut out the stem or by placing three fingers on the stem and pushing down hard. In either method, you want to remove the pepper's stem and seeds. Also, remove the white ribs of the green peppers as they have a bitter flavor. Cut the green peppers into one inch cubes. Now dice the pineapple and a small to medium sized onion into similar sized cubes.

Step 5: Stir FryAfter first pre-heating your wok until it starts to smoke, add about a tablespoon of vegetable oil around the sides of the wok. When the oil is hot, add the cut onions, green peppers, and pineapple to the wok. Next, pour in your sauce ingredients starting with your vinegar, sugar, ketchup and the sesame oil. Stir all this around for at least a minute then add the oil-blanched chicken to the mix and let cook for a couple of minutes to thoroughly cook, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Thicken The SauceMix together five tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of corn starch in a small bowl with your finger. Now add this slurry to the ingredients cooking in the wok, stirring constantly so that this slurry mixture will not clump. The slurry will thicken the sauce.

Potato, Carrot and Tomato Soup - Malaysia ABC Soup

Malaysia ABC Soup
This soup is called ABC soup because it is super easy to prepare. Therefore, as simple as ABC!Soups generally taste nicer if you use a double boiler - a 2 tiered soup pot with the bottom pot filled with water. The soup in the upper pot is steamed by the boiling water from the bottom pot. This gentler way of cooking soup releases the flavors from the ingredients gradually and the result is a sweeter tasting soup.If you haven't got a double boiler, no worries. Just simmer the soup on the lowest heat possible.This recipe serves 2.
Ingredients:

·         1 lb chicken pieces with bones

·         1 large carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces

·         3 medium potatoes

·         1 quartered medium tomato

·         1 peeled and thickly sliced medium onion

·         1 tsp crushed pepper corn

·         4 cups of water

·         Salt to taste

Preparation:

Chicken This is a quick way to remove the gunk from the chicken. Put the chicken pieces in a pot with just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil. Pour away the water. Rinse the chicken under the tap to get rid of any blood or other impurities.PotatoesPeel the potatoes and cut them into 1 inch cubes. If they are not immediately used, soak them in water so that they do not turn black.Cooking the Soup1.    Fill a double boiler or a soup pot with 4 cups of water. Put in the prepared chicken and boil on medium heat. Once the water boils, remove any impurities on the surface with a ladle. Turn the flame to low.

2.    Add the onions, tomato, carrots and pepper corn. Simmer on very low heat for about 2 hours.

3.    Drain the water from the potatoes. Add them into the soup 30 minutes before the soup is ready.

4.    Add salt to taste, and enjoy the Malaysian ABC soup