Jul, a Nordic Christmas
Photography + recipes: Anna Rubingh
At Jul, the Swedish word for Christmas, there is a large table filled with food: colorful, tasty dishes from which everyone can pick what they like. Together they make a so-called Julbord, which translates as Christmas table.
There is 'gravlax' with beetroot, cured beetroot coated salmon, which gives it a festive red look. There must also be 'Janssons frestelse': potatoes with anchovies and cream, baked in the oven. 'Köttbullar', meatballs served with cranberry compote, are everybody’s favorite, and there is always a paj, a savoury pie with cheese. All these festive dishes are accompanied by plenty of vegetables. There is rich red cabbage, stewed with spices, clementines, and herbs; a beautiful wintry kale salad with apples and walnuts; a crispy salad with vegetables and fruit; and, of course, a beetroot salad.
For dessert, there is an elegant version of rice pudding, mixed with cream and topped with either berry compote or blood oranges and flaked almonds.
The good thing about the Christmas feast is that everyone can contribute a dish, and much can be prepared in advance—so everyone gets to celebrate!
And separately, all these dishes are wonderful to eat throughout the winter and beyond.
Cured Beetroot Gravlax, easy home cured salmon with beetroot and dill
Jansons Frestelse, a creamy potato ansjovis bake
'Köttbullar', meatballs served with cranberry compote
'Kale salad with apples, blue cheese, pomegranate and walnuts
Beetroot salad with pickles and dill
Ostpaj med svamp, a Pie with Cheese and Mushrooms
Chicory, Apple and Clementine Salad
The Best Stewed Red Cabbage
Creamy Rice Pudding with berry compote and blood orange and flaked almonds
