King Killer - RT

Huggable IKEA cushion

A friend called, barely hiding the excitement in her voice.

"I want you to meet a King Killer." Huh!?

She picked me up and off we went to meet a killer ..... at IKEA!?

This is the King Killer! -_-'"

It's a wheat bun, filled with a little almond paste and topped with whipped cream. And a triangular cut-off bun lid lies on top of the creation with powdery icing sugar sprinkled over it. It's called Semla in Sweden.

How the King Killer gets its name?
After a hearty meal of lobster, caviar, smoked herring and champagne, King Frederick of Sweden proceeded to eat his favourite dessert, the semla. On his 14th bun, he suffered a stroke. He died happy, with a satisfied smile on his face.

In Sweden, the semla was originally eaten as dessert topping up the festive meals that was taken in preparation for the Easter fasting. The semla dates back as far as to the 16th century, when the Swedes indulged in rich food on the last day before fasting which could last as long as 40 days and nights. This last Tuesday before the fasting became known as Fettisdagen - literally means Fat Tuesday. As the semla was considered special, expensive and luxurious, young boys sometimes would use it for courting purposes by giving it to the girl they fancied. If she was interested, she would indicate that by giving him eggs at Easter six weeks later. - Ikea website

King Killer S$3.50

The Swedish ‘King Killer’ is available from 13 Feb till 10 April at IKEA restaurants. On every Tuesday (the Semla-day) leading up to Easter Day (12 April), customers get a free hot coffee/tea with every purchase of the semla.

Herring Plate S$1.50

As the semla bun is quite big and tasteless, I had to buy a plate of pickled herring to go with it. The herring was too sour.

Note : King Killer Recipe from my Norwegian friend DianeCA

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fortuitous faery