Classic Toast Skagen

Inspired by the bustling dining room of Stockholm’s iconic Riche, this definitive Toast Skagen celebrates pristine hand-peeled prawns bound in a velvety, sharp emulsion of homemade mayonnaise, crème fraîche, and a quiet grate of fresh horseradish. The magic lies in textural contrast: sweet, snappy cold-water shrimp against crisp, golden batons of white bread pan-fried slowly in foaming salted butter. Finished with a crown of briny Kalix löjrom and a squeeze of fresh lemon, it is Scandinavian bistro indulgence at its peak.

The Bistro Recipe

Reverse-engineered from Stockholm's legendary Riche: sweet cold-water prawns suspended in a velvety dill and horseradish emulsion, served alongside golden butter-fried toast batons and crowned with Kalix löjrom.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings 4

Method Pan-Fry & Fold

Scale

1x 2x 3x

Units

US Metric

Ingredients

The Skagen Mixture

• 0.55 lb fresh hand-peeled cold-water prawns (drained and gently chopped)
• 4 tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp crème fraîche (34% fat)
• 1 tbsp freshly grated horseradish (fine microplane)
• 3 tbsp fresh dill fronds, finely minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Flaky sea salt & freshly cracked white pepper, to taste

The Buttered Toast

• 4 pieces white sandwich loaf or pain de mie (crusts trimmed, cut into batons)
• 4 tbsp salted European butter

Finishing & Garnish

• 2 oz Kalix löjrom (vendace roe) or high-grade bleak roe
• 4 pieces fresh dill sprigs
• 4 pieces fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

1. 1
   Dry the Prawns

   Spread peeled prawns over triple-layered paper towels; press firmly until moisture-free to ensure the dressing binds securely.

2. 2
   Whisk Dressing Base

   In a chilled bowl, whisk mayonnaise, crème fraîche, grated horseradish, lemon juice, salt, and white pepper until glossy.

3. 3
   Fold and Chill

   Gently fold the dry prawns and chopped dill into the dressing until coated. Chill 15 minutes to marry flavors.

4. 4
   Fry the Batons

   Foam butter in a skillet over medium heat; fry bread batons until golden, turning constantly for uniform crunch.

5. 5
   Plate the Bistro Style

   Mound chilled Skagen beside warm toast batons. Crown with a quenelle of löjrom, dill fronds, and a lemon wedge.

The Riche Secret

Never use wet, pre-peeled brine shrimp. The secret to Riche’s luxurious Skagen is hand-peeling fresh cold-water shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and drying them aggressively. The fat ratio must lean heavily on whole-egg mayonnaise cut with just enough sharp crème fraîche and fresh horseradish to lift the sweet ocean salinity.

Bistro Sommelier Pairing: Chablis Premier Cru or Blanc de Blancs Champagne

More inspiration from Riche

Riche

---