I can’t start this dish with an English name. This is one of my favorite dishes or appetizer in the world! Yes, it is. And you know what, it is super simple to make. It is also a Scandinavian icon. Let me introduce you to our Toast Skagen.
This is a delicious shrimp salad on a light toasted slice of bread. The name Skagen is actually a fishing port at the northern tip of Denmark. With that said, it is very important to use the best shrimps you can get. That is what this dish is all about. We normally don’t cut the shrimps, but since the ocean shrimps I get fresh here in Florida are quite big, I cut them into smaller pieces. Another ingredient we normally have in Scandinavia is fish roe. I know it is not so common here, therefore I skipped fish roe, not to make anyone questioning the dish before trying. If you have fish roe, add a spoon on top of your Toast Skagen.
I like to mix my mayonnaise with sour cream. I know a lot of recipes only have mayonnaise, but I like the fresh taste from the sour cream coming into the dish. Make your own mayonnaise or use a ready one.
Ingredients (appetizer – 4 pers):
- 1lb fresh (or frozen) peeled shrimps
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (To make your own, you need the following, otherwise use a ready one:)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 cup oil (e.g. sunflower oil)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 tbsp chopped dill
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 lemon
- salt and black pepper
- 4 slices of bread
- drops of olive oil
If you make your own mayonnaise, start with that. Add egg yolk, mustard and vinegar into a bowl. Use an electric hand mixer. Slowly pour the oil in an equal flow into the bowl while heavily stirring. Stir until all oil is in the bowl and the texture of the mixture is thick.
Cut the shrimps in smaller pieces (if they are big) and place into a bowl. Add the mayonnaise and sour cream.
Chop dill and red onion really small and add into the bowl. Cut the lemon in wedges. Take one wedge and press the juice into the bowl. The rest of the lemon is for serving.
Now mix carefully everything together with a spoon. Flavor with some salt and fresh black pepper.
Toast your bread slices. Drops some olive oil over the slices.
Serve the Toast Skagen with a sprig of dill and a slice of lemon.
Smaklig måltid!
My plate is from Swedish “H&M Home”.
Scandinavian Simple Eating 
Oh yum another tasty recipe. I haven’t heard the word ‘starter’ used since my years of living in the United Kingdom and traveling in Europe. I do remember trying several however, when dining out abroad. Your recipe would fit well with many of the other delectable dishes served as it’s not a whole big plate full, just enough to lead you comfortably into the next course. You probably realize that here in United States, appetizers are served. The menus are chocked full of heavy delights, which if eaten before the meal leave little room for many more courses, especially dessert.
Here’s a funny. The other night I attended a Mystery Theatre which also served dinner. Somebody must have decided to serve ‘starters’ which were 3 raviolis stuffed with a light creamed cheese of some sort. Almost everybody at the table was confused as to what they were and why they were served, nonetheless gobbling them down anyway. LOL.
Here’s a final mention. My beloved Mother introduced our family to fish roe when I was little. It didn’t look that good at first, but tasted good, and so if I could find some at a fish market here in Indiana [ask me if those exist], I could see adding it on top as a zingy compliment to your recipe. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Thank you for your comment, Jen! You are so right, of course I mean appetizers. The word “starter” is British English and what we learn in school in Europe. Therefore I have been writing starter, but I will from now on write appetizer. 🙂 Thank you for mentioning it to me. Thank you also for sharing some personal stories about appetizers and fish roe. You should definitely try fish roe again. I wish you a nice evening!
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Please continue to use ‘starter’ if you so choose. I was personally whisked back in time to some of my most positive UK/European culinary memories. Thank you! Here’s hoping your week is going well too! ☺️
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I love your comments! Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day!
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Very elegant!
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Thank you! 🙂
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