Meaty Janssons frestelse, a rich and creamy Swedish dish with potatoes and smoked meat Meaty Jansson's temptation (Janssons frestelse) Margherita pizza with truffle oil served Truffle oil Margherita pizza Pozole de pollo with chicken and hominy corn, lime wedges Mexican Chicken Pozole Soup American waffles served on a plate Classic American waffles Roast turkey breast served Roast turkey breast Tandoor naan served with yoghurt Homemade Tandoori-style naan Tantanmen ramen served with sesame paste broth and minced meat Creamy tantanmen ramen Blackberry cream and almond macarons Blackberry Cream & Almond Macarons Greek yoghurt burek served Greek yoghurt burek Spicy pickled oranges served in a jar Spicy Pickled Oranges Lauki thepla, served with fresh coriander Lauki thepla Paye with fresh coriander, served with lime slices and green chilli Spiced lamb trotter soup (Paye) Tahini poké with fresh vegetables on a bed of rice, garnished with fresh coriander and lime juice. Tahini poké bowl Daiquiri Ice slush served Daiquiri Ice sorbet Satay pancake served with peanut chicken and coriander Satay chicken pancakes Homemade kajmak with creamy texture in a bowl Homemade kajmak (Balkan clotted cream) Fideuà amb Gambes, served with prawns and rich tomato sauce, Spanish dish Fideuà amb gambes (Spanish noodle paella with prawns) Chawanmushi with garlic, served with prawns and green onions Garlic Chawanmushi Honey and cinnamon scones freshly baked Honey and cinnamon scones Breaded beef fillet served with mashed potatoes and parsley Breaded beef fillet (Deluxe country-fried steak) Meaty Janssons frestelse, a rich and creamy Swedish dish with potatoes and smoked meat Meaty Jansson's temptation (Janssons frestelse) Margherita pizza with truffle oil served Truffle oil Margherita pizza Pozole de pollo with chicken and hominy corn, lime wedges Mexican Chicken Pozole Soup American waffles served on a plate Classic American waffles Roast turkey breast served Roast turkey breast Tandoor naan served with yoghurt Homemade Tandoori-style naan Tantanmen ramen served with sesame paste broth and minced meat Creamy tantanmen ramen Blackberry cream and almond macarons Blackberry Cream & Almond Macarons Greek yoghurt burek served Greek yoghurt burek Spicy pickled oranges served in a jar Spicy Pickled Oranges Lauki thepla, served with fresh coriander Lauki thepla Paye with fresh coriander, served with lime slices and green chilli Spiced lamb trotter soup (Paye) Tahini poké with fresh vegetables on a bed of rice, garnished with fresh coriander and lime juice. Tahini poké bowl Daiquiri Ice slush served Daiquiri Ice sorbet Satay pancake served with peanut chicken and coriander Satay chicken pancakes Homemade kajmak with creamy texture in a bowl Homemade kajmak (Balkan clotted cream) Fideuà amb Gambes, served with prawns and rich tomato sauce, Spanish dish Fideuà amb gambes (Spanish noodle paella with prawns) Chawanmushi with garlic, served with prawns and green onions Garlic Chawanmushi Honey and cinnamon scones freshly baked Honey and cinnamon scones Breaded beef fillet served with mashed potatoes and parsley Breaded beef fillet (Deluxe country-fried steak)
Meaty Janssons frestelse, a rich and creamy Swedish dish with potatoes and smoked meat
Swedish Janssons frestelse with smoked meat and sardines

Meaty Jansson's temptation (Janssons frestelse)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
'Jansson's Temptation' is a Swedish Christmas classic. Although the original recipe uses 'ansjovis' (spiced sprats, not anchovies!), this meaty version enriches the creamy potatoes with the deep flavours of smoked bacon. The starch from the slow-baked potatoes in cream thickens the sauce, while the top browns irresistibly crisp. A true winter soul-warmer.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 50 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 650 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Swedish

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Ovenproof dish (glass or ceramic)
  • Frying pan
  • Knife

Allergen Information

⚠️ Fish
⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Gluten

Instructions

1 ✓

Peel the potatoes and cut into matchstick-thin strips (julienne). Do not soak in water!

Tip: We need the starch on the potato surface, as this will thicken the cream into a sauce.
2 ✓

Slice the onion finely, dice the bacon. Fry them in butter until the onion is soft and the bacon fat has rendered.

Tip: The sweetness of the onion counteracts the salty taste of the fish and bacon.
3 ✓

Layer in a buttered dish: potato, then the onion-bacon mix and torn pieces of fish, then potato again. Sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and butter knobs.

Tip: The breadcrumbs and butter form a golden brown, crunchy crust in the oven.
4 ✓

Mix the milk with the cream, salt, and pepper. Pour over the dish. Bake at 200°C for approx. 45-50 minutes until potatoes are soft and top is red/brown.

Tip: If the top browns too fast, cover with foil for the last 15 minutes.

Recipe FAQ

What potatoes should I use?
Use baking potatoes (floury type), because their high starch content results in a nice creamy finish, not watery.

Ingredients

  • 800 g potatoes (baking type)
  • 1 head onion
  • 1 tin sardines or sprats (in oil)
  • 150 g smoked bacon (lardons)
  • 400 ml milk
  • 200 ml double cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp white pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (for topping)
  • 1 bunch parsley