Hi, my name is Benedikte. I am Norwegian but I have been living in France for the last 20 years – hence the blog name Salmon & Frogs. The contrasts but also the similarities in the two cooking cultures are fascinating! While Norwegian cooking can seem to be a bit more down to earth, French cooking has the reputation of being more sophisticated. In reality, the picture is much more nuanced. I hope to be able to take you on a culinary journey that will open both your mind and your taste buds but most importantly bring joy around your table.
You will also find recipes from elsewhere in the world, often inspired by traveling or cultural exchanges I have had on my life journey, and there will be a mix of quick and simple everyday food recipes to more complex techniques that might require some time and concentration to succeed.
As to my background; After growing up in Norway I spent 4 years in the UK in my early 20ths and left there with a BA degree in Marketing and Statistics from Middlesex University in London. Then I found the perfect French man and moved to Paris in 2000:) I currently live in the suburbs of Paris with my husband, our two teenage boys and a Boxer dog.
After getting an MBA degree from Essec Business school, I spent almost 20 years in marketing, finance and management positions in international companies in Paris. When the latest company I worked for closed its business unit in Paris in 2017 I moved on to work as an individual consultant while also reorienting myself into personal development coaching (Systemic Coaching and Leadership Fundamentals) and as a Vinyasa yoga teacher.
The blog has already become an activity for the whole family and I am extremely grateful for the help I get from everyone. My husband assist with the cooking and is also taking some of the pictures (usually the best ones!), my youngest son helps with the cooking, my oldest son helps with French translation and my mum with the Norwegian translation.
Every recipe has been savored and approved at our family table and all is being shared with love and good intentions, hoping it will bring you and yours a moment of pure joy.
Bon Appetit!
“In fact, taking care of others, helping others, ultimately is the way to discover your own joy and to have a happy life. So that is what I call wise selfishness.”
Dalai lama XIV, the Book of Joy: Lasting happiness in a changing world