Risalamande or the art of hiding an almond

At the beginning of December, when the cold is silently on their doorstep, the house of Ulrik (43) and Julie (36) is transformed into a haven of warmth. The Danish couple enthusiastically transforms their home into a fairytale setting.

In the midst of their cosy cocoon, the christmas tree stands proudly, tall and majestic, dressed in all its finery. Baubles and figurines hang harmoniously from every branch. But even when it comes to decorating the tree, nothing is left to chance for this Scandinavian family. A garland of Danish flags snakes delicately around the tree to the top. It's all about national pride. On Christmas' Eve, the tree is adorned with real candles. This is an essential element of Christmas hygge, the Danish art of well-being.

The table is set with an immaculate tablecloth that underlines the refinement of the setting. Plates in white porcelain with gold edging are carefully arranged on sub-plates, and sparkling glasses complete the art of table setting. 'We inherited the service from our parents, and it's now in its fourth generation,' adds Ulrik proudly.

The Copenhagen-born business manager moved to Luxembourg in 2010 after living in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands with his parents. But now he wants to settle down, because the Grand Duchy has become his home, or his 'Heemecht' as he calls it. It's also here that he met his wife, with whom he now has three children. 

On Christmas’ Eve, the whole family goes to church,' he says. Once back at home, the evening is spent in the traditional Danish way. On the menu are either oysters or stuffed duck, for which he even reveals his own recipe: pumpkin, lemon, cloves, onions, red cabbage and potatoes. 'But not just any potatoes. We use cooked potatoes and caramelised potatoes', he insists.

But the highlight of the feast is certainly the dessert: Risalamande. This is a rice pudding with cherry sauce in which an almond is hidden. The person who finds the almond on their plate wins an extra present.

The preparation of the dessert is just as elaborate as the fun game that accompanies it. Once the rice is cooked and prepared with vanilla pods and milk, the pot is wrapped in newspapers and surrounded by blankets in the bed. You then have to wait about three hours for the rice to completely absorb the milk. The mixture is then cooled overnight. Later, whipped cream and finely chopped almonds are gently folded in. Finally, a whole almond is carefully hidden within the mixture, completing the preparation. The warmed cherry sauce gives the dessert a sweet taste. 'That's it, now the almond hunt can begin', says a delighted Ulrik. He adds that under no circumstances should the almond be bitten, to keep the suspense going right to the end.

To round off the evening, the family dances around the Christmas tree, holding hands and singing traditional songs. 'We dance in circles and sing between five and seven songs before we start opening presents,' concludes Ulrik in our interview. All that's left is to wish this family a 'God Jul' (Merry Christmas).