The Smorgasbord Starts Here

Jansson’s Temptation is a popular hot dish from the Swedish smorgasbord tradition made with layers of anchovies, potatoes, onions, cream and cheese. Orange-and honey-glazed beets, served hot or cold, are a great accompaniment. And, if you’re still hungering for more, invite friends to bring over a Swedish dish and build your own smorgasbord.

JANSSON’S TEMPTATION

2 medium-large boiling potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 (2-ounce) can anchovies, drained

2/3 cup half and half

1/2 cup shredded Havarti cheese

Place half of sliced potatoes in bottom of small buttered baking dish. Layer with half onion, all anchovies, remaining half onion and remaining potatoes. Pour 1/3 cup half and half over top.

Bake at 375 degrees 30 minutes. Pour remaining 1/3 cup half and half over top and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake 30 minutes longer.

2 servings. Eachserving:

362 calories; 1291 mg sodium; 82 mg cholesterol; 19 grams fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 20 grams protein; 0.72 gram fiber.

ORANGE-AND-HONEY-GLAZED BEETS

2 medium-large beets

Grated peel and juice of 1 orange

1 to 2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Salt, pepper

If you need to use canned instead of fresh beets, start with 1 (16-ounce) can sliced beets. Drain and arrange in baking dish. Spoon orange juice mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees about 15 minutes or until beets are hot and glaze is syrupy.

Scrub beets and trim off ends. Place beets in pan with water to cover and bring to boil. Cook at low boil until beets can be pierced with fork, about 30 minutes. Peel beets when cool enough to handle and slice 1/4-inch thick. Arrange in small baking dish.

Stir together orange peel and juice, 1 tablespoon honey, lemon juice and nutmeg in cup. Taste. Mixture should be sweet-tart. Add more honey if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture over beet slices.

Bake at 375 degrees until beets are tender, about 30 minutes, basting once or twice with orange juice mixture. Serve hot.

2 servings. Each serving:

101 calories; 208 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 27 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.97 gram fiber.