25+ Scandinavian Recipes • Nordic Comfort Food! (2024)

FAQs

What is the staple food of Scandinavia? ›

You'll soon discover that the Scandinavian countries have similar diets, featuring locally-sourced ingredients. Common foods include bread, dairy products, potatoes, porridges, creamy soups, salted or smoked meats and fresh, salted or smoked fish.

Generally, though, this is a hearty cuisine based on fresh, local ingredients. While Scandinavian cuisine comes with plenty of traditional dishes that immediately spring to mind—gravlax, cinnamon buns, waffles, reindeer, and aquavit—there's a sophisticated food movement now in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

Fish and Seafood: Given the proximity to the sea, fish and seafood play a significant role in Scandinavian cuisine. Common varieties include salmon, herring, cod, mackerel, and shrimp. Root Vegetables: Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, turnips, and beets are staples in Scandinavian cooking.

Many eat porridge ( mostly oatmeal), typically with milk and jam, applemash, fruit or berries. Many eat yoghurt ( either natural or flavored) or fil ( Cultured buttermilk), with cereal, fruit, berries or jam. Many eat sandwiches, with a variety of toppings; cheese, eggs and various cold cuts are all common.

Balls of ground beef are a staple of many national cuisines. Köttbullar, meaning meatballs, are the Swedish variant. This dish is not just served at IKEA—it's many Swedes' favorite food.

Nordic vegetables are cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, roots and peas. Fish varieties include salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring and dried salty cod. Fruits do not grow abundantly in the region; therefore, berries tend to be the primary source of fruit.

A traditional lunch can take hours, and aquavit is enjoyed at regular intervals, of course. Popular dishes for a smörgåsbord include bowls of pickled herring served with rye and crispbread, beetroot and apple salad, meatballs, pâtés, and different types of cured and smoked salmon.

Lean meats, such as skinless poultry, and eggs are acceptable in moderation, although most Nordic Diet proteins are derived from fish and plant alternatives, such as legumes, nuts, and seeds.

What fish is Scandinavian delicacy? ›

Surströmming is a traditional dish from northern Sweden that arose during the 16th century when Sweden had a salt shortage. Today, the fish has become infamous due to its stinky smell, yet enthusiasts praise surströmming for its great taste.

For centuries, Scandinavians have used it to prepare dried whitefish, typically cod, in a dish known as lutefisk. We have the Vikings to thank for the unique technique, which rehydrates dried fish in alternating containers of water and lye.

Akvavit is an important part of Nordic drinking culture, where it is often drunk during festive gatherings, such as Christmas dinners and the Midsummer celebration, and as an aperitif. In Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany aquavit is chilled and often drunk in a single gulp from a small shot glass.

Scandinavian Land & Sea Seasoning Contains: California Salt, Garlic, Sugar, Black Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Ginger, Dill, Cinnamon, Parsley, Bay Leaf, Orange Peel.

Traditionally, Norwegian food has revolved around meat or fish, potatoes, and vegetables. Since fishing and hunting have always been fairly common in Norway, a lot of Norwegians have historically caught their own dinner to serve up at mealtimes.

Stockholm's gastronomical heritage goes way back. The city is sprinkled with restaurants that have been here for centuries. Discover some of the most iconic ones – from Michelin-starred dining rooms to cosy pubs and loads of traditional Swedish food. No wonder it was named the European Capital of Gastronomy 2023.