Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toast)
In short: Cold prawns folded with mayonnaise, crème fraîche, dill and lemon, piled on butter-fried toast and crowned with a spoonful of whitefish roe. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Toast Skagen is a Swedish starter that many home cooks have in their repertoire. Small cold prawns are folded into a mixture of mayonnaise, crème fraîche, dill and lemon, then piled onto toast fried in butter and crowned with a spoonful of whitefish roe. It is a favorite at New Year's Eve and summer dinners, and the topping can be made hours ahead.
Instructions
- Pat the prawns dry with paper towels and cut any large ones into pieces. Extra moisture makes the topping runny.
- In a bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, crème fraîche, dill, red onion, lemon juice and zest. Fold in the prawns and season with salt and white pepper. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the bread for about 2 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Let it cool briefly on a rack.
- Pile the prawn mixture onto the warm toast. Top each with a spoonful of roe, if using, and a sprig of dill.
- Serve right away with lemon wedges, while the toast is still crisp.
Tips
- Frozen cooked prawns work well. Thaw them in the fridge, then drain and dry them thoroughly. Small cold-water prawns are the closest match, and larger shrimp should be chopped.
- Keep the topping and the toast apart until the last minute. The topping holds for 6 hours in the fridge, but toast topped too early turns soggy.
Questions and answers
What is Skagen topping made of?
Cold peeled prawns bound with mayonnaise and crème fraîche and seasoned with dill, lemon and a little red onion. Many cooks finish it with whitefish roe.
Can I make Toast Skagen ahead?
Make the topping up to 6 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Fry the toast and assemble just before serving so the bread stays crisp.
Can I use something other than crème fraîche?
Yes. Sour cream or thick Greek yogurt both work, although the flavor will be slightly sharper. Use full-fat versions for a creamy texture.
How long does it take to make Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toast)?
About 25 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toast)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
