The Swedish Cookbook

Description

Growing up with my 100% Swedish grandmother and great-grandmother, I was taught different elements of my Swedish heritage. A prayer we say on holidays, the history of our family’s immigration, and stories of an ancestor who founded an anti-horse-thief group were chief among them, but I didn’t learn much about food until I worked at a Swedish restaurant in college. Thankfully, I don’t have to recall those recipes as Niklas Ekstedt, a Michelin-star chef and darling of the culinary world, has delivered something special with The Swedish Cookbook in that people like me, and those with no connection to the Swedish culinary world, can find something delicious to prepare within its pages.

Lagom, a common Swedish word, means “balanced” or “just right,” and that is the principle of Ekstedt’s recipes. Recipes for simple side dishes, like Fried Kale with Garlic and Almonds, are on the easier side. There are also recipes for full meals, like the Swedish Meatball feast that includes instructions for crushed lingonberries (trust me—they’re delicious!) and potatoes and cucumbers. The instructions are straightforward and, even when the recipe takes time to execute, the steps are intentional and a mouthwatering payoff at the end.

Some ingredients may be difficult to find in a standard small town grocery store, but for the most part, these dishes are accessible for everyone. Whether you have a Swedish background like mine or not, The Swedish Cookbook is an excellent addition to your cookbook collection.