Page 295 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  293

Sweden’s Dining
“Revolution”
The turn of the 21st century
has witnessed a renaissance of
gourmet cooking in Sweden,
with people now visiting
Stockholm for its food as well
as its culture. Traditional dishes,
made with the finest – usually
organic – ingredients are being
given an original, modern twist.
Instead of simple meatballs
with lingonberries, chefs are
increasingly offering delights
such as foie gras with a spiced
A colourful vegetable stall at Hötorget market mixed berry and apple chutney
and turning cheap staples, such
cheese and cooked meats, generally followed by as pig’s offal, into magnificent,
and tinned or pickled fish. pancakes with jam, washed melt-in-the-mouth mousses.
During the Christmas season, down with hot punsch.
many Stockholm restaurants Other popular dishes include What to Drink
serve a special smörgåsbord, pytt i panna (a hash of meat,
known as a Julbord, which onions and potatoes) and Beer Along with vodka, beer
could include everything from meatballs served with is the most popular drink to
meatballs and sausages to lingonberry jam. accompany a smörgåsbord.
smoked salmon. Until recently, little was on
offer other than insipid lagers,
but a recent beer-making revival
Rustic Fare has made styles from dark
The Swedes are very good porters to pale ales available,
at using cheap cuts to prepare including some interesting
Cheese delicious dishes. Seasoning is fruit beers.
usually kept simple with salt, Snaps About 60 types of
pepper and fresh dill. Such “snaps”, each flavoured with
homely fare, known as different herbs and spices,
husmanskost, is central to the are made in Sweden.
Swedish diet and often Punsch This sweet arak
features on the menus of spirit is traditionally taken
many Stockholm restaurants. with coffee or served hot with
One favourite is yellow pea pea soup.
soup, traditionally served on Wine A huge variety of fine
Thursdays, accompanied by wines are imported, but are
sausages or lightly salted A selection of fine fish from Sweden’s usually very expensive.
Selection of items typically found on a cold smörgåsbord meat and mustard. This is coastal waters

Jansson’s Temptation is a Meatballs made from beef Apple cake is a delicious
dish of layered potato, pickled or pork are drenched in a rich buttery dessert traditionally
sprats and onion with cream, meaty sauce and served served piping hot with cold
baked until golden. with lingonberries. vanilla sauce.

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