Short-grain rice simmered slowly in milk until thick and creamy, served warm with cinnamon sugar and a pat of butter, or cold with milk poured over. This is the dish Swedish families eat on Christmas Eve, with one blanched almond hidden in the pot.
Yellow split peas simmered soft with onion, thyme and cubes of pork, finished with a spoonful of mustard at the table. One pot, mostly unattended, and it feeds four with leftovers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Laminated yeast dough folded with cold butter, filled with almond remonce and a spoonful of raspberry preserves, baked into twelve square pastries and finished with icing and sliced almonds. The dough is made and chilled the day before, then rolled, filled and baked in the morning.
Homemade pizza with a simple uncooked tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil, baked as hot as a home oven will go. Makes two 12-inch pizzas, enough for four.
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.
Chicken thighs simmered in coconut milk with green curry paste, broccoli and bell pepper, finished with lime and cilantro and served over jasmine rice. On the table in about 35 minutes.
Chicken thighs, bell pepper and broccoli seared hot and fast, then coated in a soy-garlic sauce thickened with potato starch. Served over jasmine rice, it lands on the table in about 35 minutes.
Short-grain rice simmered slowly in milk until thick and creamy, served hot with a pool of melting butter, cinnamon sugar and, on Christmas Eve, a whole almond hidden in the pot.
Soft yeasted buns rolled with a cinnamon-butter filling, baked until just set, brushed with syrup and finished with pearl sugar. This is the everyday Swedish fika bun, stickier and sweeter than the cardamom version.
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.
A mild coconut curry made with jarred curry paste and pre-cut chicken thighs, simmered with bell pepper and carrot and served over rice. On the table in about 40 minutes with one skillet and one pot.
A dense, dark sourdough loaf studded with whole rye kernels, baked in an ordinary loaf pan. This is the bread under every open sandwich in Denmark, sliced thin and topped with everything from liver pâté to pickled herring.