Smorgasbord Platter
The Swedish smorgasbord is the ultimate festive table spread, traditionally featuring a carefully curated selection of pickled herring, cured meats, cheeses, and bread served in a specific order from light to rich. It is less a single recipe and more a grand Swedish tradition that brings people together around the table for hours.
Traditional Swedish festive spread of herring, cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Fish
Meat
Cheese
Bread
Accompaniments
Instructions
Prepare the Herring
Remove the pickled herring from their jars and arrange several varieties in small individual serving bowls or on small plates. Traditional smorgasbord always begins with herring and should include at least two different preparations such as mustard herring and matjes herring. Garnish with fresh dill and thinly sliced red onion.
Arrange the Fish and Meat
Arrange the sliced gravlax or smoked salmon on a long platter garnished with fresh dill, lemon wedges, and a small bowl of mustard sauce. On a separate board or platter, arrange the cold cuts in overlapping folds and slices, interspersed with small pickles and mustard.
Set Out Cheese and Bread
Arrange the hard cheese on a wooden board with a cheese knife. Place the knackebrod in a bread basket or fanned out on a board alongside softer rye bread and butter. Provide small dishes of Swedish accompaniments including lingonberry jam, pickled cucumber, and pickled beetroot.
Set the Table and Serve
The traditional smorgasbord is served in a specific order. Guests begin with herring and crispbread, followed by the fish dishes, and then move to the cold meat dishes. Place small plates and napkins at the table and allow guests to help themselves freely, returning for each course. Serve with aquavit and cold lager in the Swedish tradition.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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