Janssons Frestelse
Jansson's Temptation
A classic Swedish potato gratin, Jansson's Frestelse is a rich and comforting dish featuring thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and savory anchovies baked in a creamy sauce until golden and bubbling. It's a beloved centerpiece of Swedish Christmas feasts.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(Peeled and cut into very thin matchsticks (julienned), about 3mm x 3mm x 5cm. Aim for uniform size for even cooking. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well.)
- 125 g Swedish anchovies (ansjovis)(These are typically sprats preserved in a sweet, salty brine. Do not substitute with Italian anchovies (acciughe) as they are much saltier and fishier. Reserve the brine.)
- 2 medium Yellow onions(Thinly sliced.)
- 300 ml Heavy cream(Also known as whipping cream.)
- 200 ml Whole milk(Whole milk provides richness.)
- 30 g Unsalted butter(For greasing the dish and optionally for sautéing onions.)
- 1/2 tsp White pepper(Or to taste. White pepper is preferred for its subtle flavor and to avoid black flecks.)
- to taste Salt(Be cautious as anchovies are salty.)
- 2 tbsp Breadcrumbs(Panko or regular breadcrumbs for topping.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Generously grease a gratin dish or shallow baking dish (approx. 20x30 cm or 8x12 inches) with butter.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Drain the Swedish anchovies, reserving about 2 tablespoons of their brine. Roughly chop the anchovies. If desired, you can lightly sauté the thinly sliced onions in a little butter until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, but this is optional. Layer half of the julienned potatoes evenly in the prepared dish. Scatter half of the sliced onions over the potatoes, followed by half of the chopped anchovies. Season lightly with white pepper and a tiny pinch of salt.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Repeat the layering process: the remaining potatoes, onions, and anchovies. Season again with white pepper and a touch more salt if needed.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, reserved anchovy brine, and the remaining white pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered potatoes, onions, and anchovies. Ensure the liquid comes about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the ingredients.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. The potatoes should begin to soften.
⏱️ 40 minutes - 6
Remove the foil. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife. The internal temperature should reach at least 90°C (195°F) for the potatoes to be fully cooked and creamy.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 7
Let the Jansson's Frestelse rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the gratin to set slightly and makes it easier to serve.
⏱️ 15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to authentic Jansson's Frestelse is using Swedish anchovies ('ansjovis'), which are sweet and briny, not salty like Italian anchovies ('acciughe').
- ✓Julienning the potatoes into uniform, thin matchsticks is crucial for even cooking and a creamy texture. A mandoline slicer can be very helpful here.
- ✓Taste the anchovies and their brine before adding extra salt to the dish, as they can be quite salty.
- ✓For a richer dish, you can use all heavy cream instead of a cream and milk mixture.
- ✓This dish is an indispensable part of the traditional Swedish Christmas smörgåsbord.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Vegetarian: Omit the anchovies and use a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of soy sauce for umami.
- Extra Creamy: Increase the heavy cream to 400ml and reduce the milk to 100ml.
- Added Flavor: Sauté the onions with a clove of minced garlic before layering.