Janssons frestelse - Jansson's Temptation
- Jansson's Temptation This dish is a modified form of the anchovy gratins which were popular in Sweden during the 19th
Ingredients
- 250 g anchovy filets (Please note: Swedish anchovy filets are prepared from (scientific name: Sprattus sprattus) whereas US filets prepared from anchovy (scientific name: Engraulis encrasicholus). Sprat filets should be used!)
- 7 large potatoes
- 2 large yellow onions
- 30 g butter
- 1/3 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 150 ml cream
- 2 0.5 tbsp breadcrumbs (dried and finely crushed bread) 6
Instructions
- 1
Peel and slice the potatoes, cut the slices in thin strips (or use your food processor!). Cover the potato strips with plenty of water. sprat Peel and chop the onions finely and fry for a few minutes. oC, are 3. Heat the oven to 250 butter a dish. Drain the potato strips, put a layer of potato strips at the bottom of the dish, on top of this a layer of anchovy filets and chopped onions, then another layer of potato strips, then another anchovy/onion layer, etc. The uppermost layer should be potato strips. Spread the dried breadcrumbs over the dish, sprinkle with melted butter. Place in the oven for 30 minutes, then add the cream and continue baking for another fifteen minutes. Serve hot! white A completely different origin of the dish has been suggested by Suzanne Koski in an e-mail: "According to Craig Claiborne, Pastor Jansson brought his flock to Bishop Hill, Illinois in the mid- 19th century. He preached mightily against succumbing to temptation, but he himself did so when spying, and then tasting a potato and anchovy dish on a parisher's table. The story goes that the dish went back to Sweden with disillusioned followers (perhaps the woman who originated the dish)."