Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toast)
Cold-water shrimp folded into dill mayonnaise and piled on butter-fried white bread, finished with roe and a wedge of lemon. The starter Swedes order out and make at home whenever there is something to celebrate.
Recipes with lemon
Carrot Cake (Morotskaka)
A moist, oil-based spice cake packed with grated carrot and finished with lemony cream cheese frosting. Baked in a 9x13 pan and cut into squares, the way it is sold in Nordic cafes.
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine in a garlicky dressing of mayonnaise, parmesan, anchovy and lemon, with croutons fried in olive oil. Served as a starter or as a light lunch on its own.
Hummus with Pita Bread
Chickpeas blended smooth with tahini, lemon and garlic, finished with olive oil and cumin, served with warm pita. Fifteen minutes from can to bowl, and better than anything in a plastic tub.
Swedish Shrimp Sandwich (Räksmörgås)
An open-faced sandwich of cold shrimp, mayonnaise, hard-boiled egg and dill on buttered rye bread. It is the standard lunch counter order across Sweden, and it comes together in about half an hour.
Rhubarb Pie (Rabarberpaj)
A butter short crust shell filled with the first garden rhubarb of the year, thickened with potato starch and scented with vanilla and cardamom. Baked until the juices bubble and the lattice is golden, and served warm with cold cream.
Chicken Katsu with Rice
Breaded chicken cutlets fried until deep gold, sliced and set over short-grain rice with a quick tonkatsu-style sauce and shredded lettuce. A Nordic weeknight regular borrowed straight from Japanese home cooking.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken thighs marinated in spiced yogurt, seared hard, then simmered in a tomato and cream sauce. Served with jasmine rice, it has become a standard weeknight dinner in Nordic homes.
Falafel with Tahini Sauce
Crisp chickpea patties fried golden and served with a lemony tahini sauce, warm pita, and chopped salad. Made from dried chickpeas soaked overnight, which is the only way they hold together properly.
Finnish Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto)
A creamy soup of salmon, potatoes and dill that comes together in half an hour. It is everyday cooking in Finland, and needs nothing more than a pot, a knife and good fish.
Pickled Herring Salad (Sillsallad)
Tender pickled herring folded with boiled potato, crisp apple, red onion, and dill in a sour cream dressing. It chills for an hour, then goes on the table in a bowl with hard-boiled egg on top.
Danish Open Sandwiches (Smørrebrød)
Three classic smørrebrød built on buttered Danish rye: pickled herring with red onion and capers, cold-smoked salmon with egg and dill, and roast beef with curried remoulade and crispy onions. A platter of twelve pieces, enough for four people at lunch.
Æbleskiver (Danish Pancake Balls)
Danish pancake balls fried in a cast iron æbleskiver pan, light from beaten egg whites and scented with cardamom. Served hot with confectioners' sugar and lingonberry jam.