Toast Skagen: Swedish Open Sandwich with Sweet Shrimp with Dill & Mayonnaise

In Sweden, where there are many dual-earner families, dishes that can be prepared quickly are favored even in the midst of busy schedules. 

Toast Skagen is a popular Swedish sandwich dish that is known for its simple recipe and delicious taste, thanks to the sweet shrimp used in the dish. 

In this article, I would like to introduce Toast Skagen, a dish that originated in Sweden.

What is Toast Skagen?

Toast Skagen is a sandwich of Swedish origin, characterized by sweet shrimp with dill mayonnaise on top of a slice of toast. 

Toast Skagen is said to have been created by Swedish chef Tore Wretman in the 1950s. 

In Japan, sandwiches with ingredients sandwiched between two slices of bread are common, but the style of placing ingredients on top of a single slice of bread, as in Toast Skagen, is called an open sandwich. 

This style is also known as Smørrebrød in Scandinavia, where slices of bread are topped with seafood, vegetables, or other ingredients of your choice.

Toast Skagen is an open sandwich with sweet shrimp and dill mayonnaise as the main ingredients, served on a single slice of toast.

The combination of sweet shrimp and dill mayonnaise is sometimes referred to as “Skagenröra” or “Skagen Lola.”

Toast Skagen specifically refers to the open sandwich topped with sweet shrimp and dill mayonnaise on toast, so it’s important not to confuse it with Skagen Lola.

Popular in Sweden as an appetizer or lunch

In authentic Swedish restaurants, Toast Skagen is often served as an appetizer. 

With its plump sweet shrimp, tangy mayonnaise, and refreshing dill flavor, Toast Skagen certainly whets the appetite and raises expectations for the main course. 

Furthermore, due to its simplicity and satisfying portion size, Toast Skagen has become a popular lunch menu item in Swedish cafes and a popular light meal to prepare at home.

Toast Skagen Recipe

The Toast Skagen recipe calls for sliced toast topped with a sweet shrimp and dill mayonnaise mixture, often referred to as Skagenröra or Skagen Lola. 

To make Skagenröra, start by boiling fresh or frozen sweet shrimp lightly in a pot with a pinch of salt. 

Dill is a vital ingredient in Scandinavian cuisine and is often known as the “fish herb” due to its perfect pairing with seafood dishes. 

Finely chop the dill with a knife to enhance its aroma, then combine it with the boiled sweet shrimp, sour cream, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. 

If sour cream is unavailable, fresh cream or yogurt can be substituted. Finally, season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.

The toast can be made using rye bread, or if it’s not available, regular sliced bread can be used. 

Cut the bread into slices and lightly brown them in a frying pan or other pan.

 Once toasted, spoon a generous amount of the Skagenröra on top of each slice of toast, and garnish with additional dill or sweet shrimp as desired.

Conclusion

Toast Skagen is a Swedish open sandwich that’s known for its delicious and fresh seafood flavors. 

The dish can easily be prepared with a mixture of sweet shrimp, dill, and mayonnaise spread on top of a slice of bread. 

It’s a popular choice in Sweden, where seafood is abundant, and its simplicity makes it a perfect dish for people who are short on time and prefer a quick meal.