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Christmas with friends – The recipe for a perfectly Nordic Christmas celebration
WHAT IS A NORDIC CHRISTMAS?
Wintery Christmas markets, the sweet scent of gingerbread and a warming serving of glögg (mulled wine), Christmas in the north is a cosy affair with plenty of candlelight and a quite literal smörsgåsbord of Christmas food.
While the festivities vary from country to country but there are some essential elements to a traditional Nordic Christmas that remain, no matter where you are celebrating.
Here in Sweden, Christmas would not be complete without a traditional Christmas Table or Julbord as it is known. We have the ultimate guide for those looking to celebrate Christmas the Nordic way, with everything from the recipes to the table setting. Invite your friends and family to a perfectly Nordic Christmas celebration this year.
Cheers to your Nordic Christmas celebration!
TRADITIONAL SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS FOOD
Christmas food in Sweden is all about the Smörgåsbord. Known as the Julbord (Christmas Table) you will find a buffet typically consisting of cold cuts of meat and fish along with breads and cheeses, pickles and the obligatory beetroot salad. Still unsure what to include on your Christmas table? Don’t worry we have a menu for you!
- Christmas Ham
- Meatballs
- Gravlax (cured salmon)
- Pickled Herring
- Cheese and kale pie with walnuts
- Beetroot salad
- Red cabbage salad with pomegranate and walnuts
- Bread & cheese
- For dessert: Risgrynsgröt (Creamy rice pudding)
A traditional Christmas ham is a must on any Nordic Chrsitmas table.
COME PREPARED!
A traditional Julbord is packed full of small dishes and traditional flavours but the preparation needn’t be labour intensive if you don’t want it to be. The traditional pickled herring and cucumber can easily be bought from the supermarket, along with the gravlax, meatballs and even the Christmas ham if you prefer, and don’t forget to grab a delicious loaf of crusty bread while you’re there.
A crusty loaf of walnut bread and cheese is sure to be appreciated by your guests.
A Christmas table is about bringing loved ones together the table setting needn't be perfect, mix and match your plates and bowls, at Christmas anything goes!
Meatballs are an integral part of any Swedish celebration but especially at Christmas!
ITEMS FOR YOUR NORDIC CHRISTMAS TABLE
THE RECIPES
RED CABBAGE AND POMEGRANATE SALAD
The Swedish Christmas table can be heavy on the meat and carbs, this salad adds a wintery dose of freshness to the table. We added pomegranate seeds for a burst of flavour, but you could also add orange slices for a festive take.
- 400g shredded red cabbage
- 1 pomegranate
- 1 large green apple
- 100g walnuts
- 50ml olive oil
- 20ml red wine vinegar
- Juice of half a lemon
- Fresh dill to garnish
How to:
- Shred the cabbage as thin as possible, grate the apple and remove the seeds from pomegranate.
- Roast the walnuts in a dry pan until lightly toasted and browned.
- Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix to combine.
- Enjoy!
Use a sharp chefs knife to slice the cabbage as thinly as possible.
CHEESE & KALE PIE WITH WALNUTS
A cheese pie is almost obligatory at any time of the year in Sweden and this festive version is delicious. Recipes serves 10.
- 250g kale
- 3 small red onions
- 1 tbsp oil
- 250g grated cheese
- 100g walnuts
- 3 eggs
- 200ml cooking cream
- 100ml milk
- 24cm premade pie base
How to:
- Set the oven to 200 degrees and prepare a 24cm pie base in a pie dish
- Roughly chop the kale and cook in a pot of salted water for 2 minutes before draining.
- Peel and cut onions into rings.
- Fry the onions and kale in a pan until soft. Season with salt and pepper.
- Whisk the eggs, cream and milk together in a bowl.
- Spread the kale and onion mix over the pie base and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Pour the egg and cream mixture into the pie base and then top with the walnuts.
- Bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
SOMETHING SWEET
RIS A LA MALTA
This creamy take on rice pudding is a staple on the Christmas table. It is rich and comforting, serve alongside a sweet and warming glass of glögg or simply a cup of coffee. Recipe for 8 portions.
- 200g short grain rice
- 400ml water
- 6-700ml milk
- 200ml heavy cream
- 50g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
How to:
- Cook the rice with water and a pinch of salt for 10 minutes, in a saucepan with a lid.
- Remove the pan from the heat, add the milk and allow the pan to cool with the lid on for 45 minutes.
- Whisk in the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Top with orange slices and almonds.
Ris a la Malta is a rich and creamy rice pudding dessert served with slices of orange and hot coffee.
Serve a warm glass of glögg after dinner with crushed almonds and raisins.
SHARE THE JOY
A Nordic Christmas is all about celebrating with the ones you love. A day to spent time together, exchange gifts and enjoy each other’s company. Offer your guests a welcome cocktail or glass of champagne on arrival or even a Christmassy glass of glögg, a version of mulled wine served with almonds and raisins. A Nordic Christmas celebration is a laid-back affair so don’t get hung up on the details.
The Christmas table does not need to be perfect, mix and match your plates and serving dishes, the way you mix and match the food. Why not share the load and ask everyone to bring a dish each, creating a wonderfully blended Christmas smorgasbord to bring your friends and family together.
A Nordic Christmas celebration, the ideal way to bring your friends and family together this year.
What better time to give your loved ones the gift of Nordic design than during your Nordic Chrstimas celebration?!
NORDIC GIFT IDEAS
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the exchanging of gifts. Put the cherry on top of your Nordic Christmas celebration with a real Nordic gift!
Some more Swedish Grace to add to their collection perhaps? Or a new set of frying pans from Fiskars for the budding Masterchef?
Check out our guide to gift sets for lovers of Nordic design for more inspiration.
Photography: Elof Martinsson
EVERYTHING FOR A NORDIC CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
