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The Scandinavian Open Sandwich

27th November 2017 by Louise
Open Sandwich with Smoked Mackerel and Pickled Beetroot
Open Sandwich with Smoked Mackerel and Pickled Beetroot & Apple

Open sandwiches (smörgås) are a favourite of mine and also one of the simplest things to create. You don’t need a recipe for them, it’s really just about using your favourite kind of bread and adding the toppings that you’d like to go on it.

Begin by spreading just the right amount of butter on your chosen bread. On the subject of bread, it really has had a bad press of late but we’re not talking about the beige, full of preservatives kind, no a lovely dark rye with pumpkin and sunflower seeds will do the job just nicely. For the topping, in Sweden it is common to use the typical, thinly sliced Swedish cheese, to which you can then add whatever you would like, including things like thinly sliced vegetables or fruit and pickles. There are an infinite number of different variations that you could use.

In my case, I am using a dark rye bread flavoured with caraway.  The topping, a generous mound of cream cheese flavoured with freshly grated horseradish, followed by my home hot smoked mackerel (available to buy at all supermarkets) and then lightly pickled beetroot and apple salad. Topped with the garlic of the north, dill!

Open sandwiches make for a marvellous simple snack or, if you have a couple of them, a satisfying lunch too. They are a really delicious way to have a simple, balanced meal.

Print Recipe

Lightly Pickled Beetroot & Apple Salad

Prep Time20 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Swedish
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Louise

Ingredients

  • 50 mls water
  • 35 g Caster Sugar
  • 50 mls Spirit Vinegar or White wine vinegar
  • 2 Medium Beetroot
  • 2 Granny Smith Apples
  • A Sprinkling of Malden Salt
  • a small handful of Dill

Instructions

  • Peel the beetroot and peel and core the apple, cut them into matchsticks size pieces. Combine the sugar, water, salt and vinegar and pour over the beetroot and apple. Cover and refrigerate for an hour and then serve. Add chopped dill or sprinkle on top.
  • Can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days.

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Category: Autumn, Dinner, Lunch, Nordic, Pickling, Preserving, Snacks, Spring, Summer, Vegetarian, WinterTag: apple, beetroot, lunch, nordic, pickled, rye bread, scandinavian, smoked mackerel
Previous Post:Venison CasseroleVenison Casserole with Pickled Chanterelles
Next Post:Pepparkakor – Swedish Ginger Thins

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#easter #easterweekend #swedishfood #scandinavianfood #homecooking
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250g hot smoked salmon, flaked
900g King Edward potatoes, peeled & thinly sliced (or swap with 450g for celeriac)
2 leeks, white part only, sliced
2 cloves wet garlic, sliced (or 1 regular clove)
80g wild garlic, roughly chopped
180ml whole milk
245ml whipping or double cream, or crème fraîche
35g mature hard cheese, grated
Butter and olive oil, for sautéing

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan. Sauté the leeks in a little butter and olive oil until soft, then add the wild garlic and wet garlic and cook until the leaves have wilted. Gently heat the milk and cream with 25g of the cheese, whisking until smooth. 

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Cover with foil and bake for 40 mins, then uncover and bake and bake for a further 25-30 mins or until cooked through. Serve with a crisp green salad.

#WildGarlic #SpringRecipes #Gratin #HotSmokedSalmon
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#CelebrationCakes #WildGarlic #ForagingUK #BluebellSeason 
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I used 7 eggs but on reflection 8 or 9 would’ve been better for my pan. 

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New dates added for April and May. Tap on the link New dates added for April and May. Tap on the link in my profile for more information.

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Heat your milk to 85°C, let it cool down to 40-45°C, stir in the yogurt, pour into sterilised jars and keep it at that same temperature if you can for 6-8 hours.

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