Nordic buffet (clockwise from left): Cider-Braised Cabbage, Carrots with Parsley Butter, Creamy Potato Casserole
Photography by Edward Pond
- Hot or cold smoked salmon
- Variety of pickled herring
- Pickled beets
- Crispbread
- Rye bread adn butter
- Cheese (Check your local cheese shop for Swedish or Scandinavian cheese. Or try Cheddar, Havarti and Swiss-style cheeses, such as Emmental and Gruyère, for reasonable Canadian substitutions.)
Nordic buffet work plan
This timeline will keep you on track so you can spend an enjoyable holiday dinner with family and friends, not in the kitchen.
Up to 1 week ahead:
Make Ginger Crisps
Up to 2 days ahead:
Make Cider-Braised Cabbage
Up to 1 day ahead:
Make Creamy Potato Casserole
Make Ginger Citrus Compote for the rice pudding
Prepare meatballs for Swedish Meatballs
Wash and cut carrots
4 hours ahead:
Make Sweet Mustard-Glazed Spiral Ham
2 hours ahead:
Make Glogg
Let compote come to room temperature
1 hour ahead:
Make rice pudding
Make Carrots with Parsley Butter
Make Swedish Meatballs with Rich Gravy
As guests arrive:
Serve Glogg
Warm Cider-Braised Cabbage
Recipes
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Glogg
A glass of this traditional warm, spiced red wine is a great way to greet guests. Prepare it just before they arrive, to fill your house with the head... -
Sweet Mustard-Glazed Spiral Ham
A large ham is the main feature of a traditional Swedish julbord, or Christmas buffet table. A simple four-ingredient glaze cuts the richness, complem... -
Swedish Meatballs With Rich Gravy
No Nordic holiday spread is complete without meatballs. Preparing them a day ahead means you'll have very little to do at the last minute and can enjo... -
Creamy Potato Casserole
This is a traditional Swedish Christmas take on scalloped potatoes, also known as Jannson's Temptation. The anchovies may seem unusual, but they add l... -
Carrots With Parsley Butter
A simple vegetable is a satisfying side dish for this rich meal. If you can't find fresh mini carrots with tops and skins intact (instead of baby carr... -
Cider-Braised Cabbage
If you are unable to find any hard apple cider, which contains alcohol, try a late-harvest wine or regular apple cider, adding 1 tbsp more cider vineg... -
Rice Pudding With Ginger Citrus Compote
Creamy, rich rice pudding is a favourite dessert at Christmas in Sweden. Some families have a tradition of adding one blanched almond, and whoever get... -
Ginger Crisps
Known as pepparkakor in Sweden, these crisp, well-spiced ginger cookies pair nicely with ...
