Dear Daughter,
Here is everything you need for the Swedish Christmas celebration and the smörgåsbord, or Julbord, as we call it. The Swedish Julbord (Christmas table) is a spread of many delicious meals that we enjoy on Christmas Eve and every day thereafter for as long as we have leftovers. Not sure if you know this Elsa, but julbord are also served in restaurants all over Sweden throughout the month of December. Growing up, I remember going to julbord with grandma and grandpa. As a little girl I would be dressed up in red velvet dresses, pretty ballerina flats and my hair in braids. It is incredible cheerful and comforting feeling to walk up to the restaurants with snow on the ground, stars shining bright in dark sky and large candles leading the way to the entrance. It’s also usually a very special ambiance inside the restaurants with candles and Christmas decorations.
Did you know that there is a special process by which you should enjoy the julbord, which is served buffe style? I know we don’t follow this process at home, but I might as well take the opportunity to tell you about it in case you every go to Sweden for Christmas.
Seven trips to the table
Trip #1 - Picked herring in multiple interactions (in a vinaigrette, mustard sauce, curry etc), which you eat with boiled potatoes, chopped red onion and sour cream.
Trip #2 - More fish. Salmon cooked in a different ways - smoked, cured etc), shrimp, seafood such as prawns and crayfish, boiled eggs with different toppings. At home we serve egg halves with mayo, shrimp and dill on top.
Trip #3 - The cold plate: cold cuts; ham, roast beef, different kinds of sausages and pates.
Trip #4 - The warm plate: meatballs, ribs, Jansson’s temptation, omelet with creamed mushrooms and other warm dishes.
Trip #5 - Desserts: cakes and cookies.
Trip #6 - Christmas candy, which is always the favorite. Homemade chocolate balls, fudge, truffles etc, etc.
Grandpa took this process very seriously and would always remind me about them. It was a cardinal sin if you mixed the herring with the cold cuts since it would interfere with the flavors and gastronomy.
I know that your love Christmas as much as I do, Elsa, and how important it is to you that we follow our own tradition for Christmas, so I’ve documented it all here for you. Don’t forget to watch Kalle Anka at 3pm, and Karl Bertil at 7pm!
Dishes to serve on the smörgåsbord
Ham
Ribs
Meatballs
Mini sausages
Liverwurst
Pickled herring
Smoked salmon
Beet salad
Omelet with creamed mushrooms
Boiled potatoes
Boiled eggs with shrimp
Candy
Chocolate Balls
Box of Paradis
Shopping List
Potatoes
Ham
Mini sausages
Ribs
Liverwurst
Smoked Salmon
I can of anchovies
Yellow and red onion
Heavy cream - large container
Milk - 2 cups
Breadcrumbs
Butter
500 grams Ground beef
Eggs
2 bouillon cubes
3 cans of pickled beets
Sour cream
Mayo (Swedish if possible)
3 cans of sliced mushrooms (with salt)
Shrimp (Swedish if possible)
If you are making holiday candy
Butter
Traditional oats
Coconut flakes or pearl sugar for the coating
Vanilla sugar or powder