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Toast Skagen

Roughly translated from its Swedish name, 'Toast Skagen' is a delectable dish of toast topped with a creamy shrimp salad. Known for its unique and surprisingly delicious combination of tastes and textures, Toast Skagen has become a popular appetizer among foodies the world over, with numerous variations.

Toast Skagen


At its core, Toast Skagen consists of toasted bread, dill mayonnaise, and succulent shrimp salad, which is often made with creme fraiche, dill, chives, and lemon juice. The shrimp salad is then strategically placed atop the toast, with a sprinkle of fresh dill to top it off. This dish's contrasting flavors and textures, as well as its simplicity, make it an incredibly inviting starter.

The true beauty of Toast Skagen lies in its versatility. Whether you're looking for a light snack, or an appetizer that can stand on its own, Toast Skagen offers a classic way to start any meal. Experimenting with the flavor and presentation of it can also result in some rather palatable outcomes. Consider adding roe caviar to the mix, or perhaps some mashed avocado for extra creaminess. Even simpler alterations like a different type of bread, or a different herb for topping, can provide for a truly unforgettable experience.

No matter how you choose to make it, Toast Skagen remains a versatile, savory, and ethereally inviting dish. Try it at home, or let your taste-buds be the judge when you have it at a restaurant. Either way, it is sure to garner rave reviews!

The origin of Toast Skagen

Tucked away in a corner of the Swedish coastline, there lay a dreamy little fishing village with a vibrant and inviting culture. In the sleepy streets, channers and locals alike dutifully carry out their daily chores, and amidst the clouds of salty sea-spray, one dish stands out from the rest: Toast Skagen.

This iconic fish-based dish, which is made up of a delectable combination of shrimps, mayonnaise and a sprinkling of dill, first gained traction in the fishing village of Skagen more than 50 years ago. Its simple and heart-warming flavor quickly caught on, and it wasn’t long before it spread throughout the country and beyond.

Toast Skagen has since become something of a Swedish institution, with locals proudly showcasing their unique take on the classic brunch dish whenever they can. It’s a beloved food that paints a beautiful picture of peaceful village life, with its ingredients and cooking process as entrenched in Swedish folklore as any traditional folk tale.

As people across the globe have tried their hand at recreating this delicious yet deceptively simple recipe, chefs and home cooks alike have taken advantage of the dish’s versatility, experimenting with the different flavors and ingredients to come up with their own delicious variations.

Whether you’re looking for a simple breakfast option or something to impress your dinner guests, Toast Skagen is sure to offer something for everyone. With its idyllic origins and satisfying taste, it’s no wonder why this delightful little dish continues to capture hearts and stomachs across the world.

FAQs about Toast Skagen

What is Skagen Swedish?

Skagen Swedish (or Skånska) is a regional dialect of Swedish spoken in the Skåne region of southern Sweden. It is distinct from Standard Swedish and contains some loanwords from Danish and other languages.


What is toast skagen made of?

Toast skagen is a Swedish dish typically made of boiled shrimp, mayonnaise, dill and onion served on toast or bread. It is often served with a lemon wedge on the side.


Where is Toast Skagen from?

Toast Skagen is a traditional Scandinavian dish from Sweden. It typically consists of shrimp on top of buttered toast, with a dill and mayonnaise sauce.


Who invented toast Skagen?

The dish known as Toast Skagen is attributed to the Swedish Chef Tore Wretman, who invented the dish in the late 1950s. He named the dish after the port town of Skagen, Denmark.


Types of Toast Skagen

Toast Skagen, also known as skagen toast, is a traditional Swedish dish originating from the city of Skagen in the North of Sweden. It is a simple yet delicious combination of boiled shrimps mixed with diced red onions and dill, heaped onto warm buttered toast. With its subtle flavours of the sea and the freshness of the dill, it is no wonder why this dish has become so well-loved across Scandinavia and beyond!

At its core, Toast Skagen consists of only a handful of ingredients: boiled shrimps, diced red onions, dill, and butter. But where the real artistry comes in is in the details. It is the proportion and quality of these ingredients that really makes this dish sing.

The first step to creating a perfect Toast Skagen is sourcing the freshest shrimps you can find. The most sought-after variety is the “Carabinero” shrimp from Spain, renowned for its sweet and delicate flesh. You will want to lightly boil the shrimp before adding them to the mix to ensure that each bite is full of succulent flavour.

Next is the diced red onions and dill – two staples in Scandinavian cooking. The onions should be finely chopped and fried in butter briefly before being added to the mix. This helps to bring out the sweetness of the onion and compliments the sweetness of the shrimps. As for the dill, make sure to use freshly cut. Fresh dill has a light bitterness and zing that helps to balance out the richness of the other ingredients, while dry dill can make the dish too salty.

Finally, it’s time to assemble the Toast Skagen. Generously butter your toast, then top it off with the shrimps, red onions, and dill. The end result should be a mouthwatering stack of flavours that tantalises the palate! However, there are a few variations to add even more dimension to one’s Toast Skagen. One popular variation includes adding capers and caviar to the mix. The briny and umami flavours of the capers and caviar provide a unique twist to the dish that elevates it to an even higher level.

Ultimately, Toast Skagen is a dish that, with just a few simple ingredients, creates something truly special. Whether you’re preparing a simple, traditional version or experimenting with unique variations, Toast Skagen is sure to leave your taste buds tingling!