Jansson’s Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel and is served with crunchy quick pickles.
Who doesn’t love a creamy potato bake in the winter? It is the ultimate comfort food – quick and easy to prepare, frugal and so delicious to eat on a cold dark evening.
This recipe is based on the traditional Swedish dish of Janssons frestelse, or Jasson’s temptation, a gratin of potato, onions, cream, picked spats topped with breadcrumbs. Quite often the recipe is mistranslated with anchovies being used in place of the spats.
I’ve given Jansson’s temptation a makeover, using Princes canned smoked mackerel, a touch of dill and par -boiling the potatoes so the whole dish cooks faster. I’ve also added a little cheese and some dill for that extra Scandinavian touch.  Whilst the temptation is baking you can whip up a jar of lightly spiced quick pickles, for some freshness and crunch to offset the cream. The pickles are fast becoming my new favourite thing and will become a fixture in the fridge this winter.
We love oily fish and eat it several times a week, be it canned mackerel or sardines, or fresh smoked mackerel. I am really impressed with the Princes canned peppered wood smoked mackerel we used here, packed with flavour, and it has an excellent texture straight from the can, on a par with fresh smoked.
For the best results you need to slice your potatoes as thinly as you can, ideally you need a mandoline, I use a handheld one which you can buy for about £10. Once you get one you will use it all the time so it is a good investment.  Please please please remember to use the finger guard, they are very sharp and it is horribly easy to cut yourself.
Once your ingredients are prepared simply layer them up in an oven-proof dish and top up with cream.  This is a very easy and forgiving recipe, so use what you have. More potato, less potato, other root vegetables, different herbs, milk and butter in place of the cream, a little stock to make a dairy free version. Adapt to your taste, and the contents of your fridge.
I used a mix of cucumber and radish flavoured with cardamom, coriander and fresh dill, in my quick pickles. Simply slice as thinly as you can, then pop into some warm sweetened white wine vinegar to infuse. They are ready after 30 minutes, but will improve if you keep in the fridge overnight.
Mackerel Jansson's Temptation with quick pickles
Ingredients
For the Jansson's Temptation
- 4 medium potatoes ((peeled & thinly sliced))
- 1 knob butter
- 1 medium onion ((peeled & thinly sliced))
- 2 cans smoked mackerel fillets ((drained and broken into flakes)))
- 1 sprig dill
- 150 ml double cream
- 50 g Jarlesberg or other Scandinavian cheese ((thinly sliced or grated))
For the quick pickles
- 60 ml white wine vinegar
- 30 g white sugar
- pinch sea salt
- 3 pods cardamom
- 1/2 tsp coriander seed
- 1 sprig dill
- 4 radishes ((thinly sliced))
- 1/4 cucumber ((thinly sliced))
Instructions
Mackerel Jassons Temptation
- Heat the oven to 190C / 180C fan / GM 5
- Place the potatoes in a large pan of salted water and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for two minutes, then drain.
- Whilst the potatoes are cooking fry the onions in the butter until softened.
- Layer the potato, onion, mackerel and a few dill leaves into oven proof dishes. Carry on until you have used all the ingredients.
- Pour over the cream, top with the cheese, season well with pepper.
- Bake for 30 - 35 minutes until golden brown.
Quick Pickles
- Place the vinegar, sugar, salt, coriander and cardamom pods into a pan and gently heat until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
- Add all the other ingredients and allow to cook before transferring to a jar in the fridge.
The Princes Mackerel range has a wide selection of flavours inspired by cuisines from all over the world – visit Princes Around the World to find out more.
Recipe for Mackerel Jansson’s Temptation commissioned by Princes. All opinions our own.
Katie Bryson
Oooh Helen what a lush looking recipe and so simple to make! I love your little animated picture that shows the layering… really clever!!!!!
Helen
Thanks Katie, I am rather proud of my little gif of the layering!
Filipa
This looks absolutely delicious Helen. Lovely photos as well.
Helen
Thank you Filipa, we have a new addiction to those pickles!
Ceri Jones
love love love tinned fish. Love how versatile they can be and also how economical as well as healthy. If people think eating oily fish for omega 3 is expensive they should definitley jump on the tinned fish bandwagon!
Helen
I was so impressed with the Princes tinned mackerel. Amazing flavour and on a par with fresh.
Andrea @ The Petite Cook
I love your quick pickle recipe, genius!! I like how versatile tinned fish can be, and this gratin is really a smart way to use mackerel!
Helen
We are addicted to the quick pickles. I am quick pickling everything!
Choclette
My ears pricked up when I heard potato gratin. So delicious and I’ve not made one in such a long time. Thanks for the reminder. Beautiful photos.
Helen
Thank you. Do try the quick pickles with the gratin, they nicely cut through the richness.
Corina
I love tinned mackrel and this is such a tempting way to serve it!
Helen
I adore tinned fish, and this mackerel is amazing.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Now my husband loves mackerel. I love potatoes. I would sub the mackerel for salmon (in mine). Perfect little dinner for two.
Helen
Salmon would be a great alternative!
Yaya
You can’t go wrong with a potato gratin during winter. I love mackerel but have never eaten it out of a tin! Will definitely give Princes mackerel a try!
Helen
The tinned version certainly doesn’t lack in quality. Worth trying it.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I love both the recipes featured they look really tasty and thankfully not to hard to make either, yum!
Helen
Very easy to make, and not at all time consuming.
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated
I’ve bought Princes’ mackerel plenty of times, but the most exciting thing I’ve ever done with it is used it in a sandwich! You’ve definitely inspired me to be a bit more adventurous the next time I buy it.
Helen
Definitely worth trying something different.
Platter Talk
Such a nutritious and delicious meal. Wonderful photos and directions and perfect for a cold winter day.
Helen
It is a good warming meal.
Rachel
I absolutely love Mackeral and other than having it on toast I never really know what else to cook, so this is amazing, thank you.
Helen
Do give it a try.
Jennifer durrans
Great choice for spring and looks gorgeous and full of flavour! Good job!
Helen
It is a tasty dish.
hannah
This doesn’t look that hard to make. i’m not a fan of mackerel though so i would probably make this without
Helen
It would be good with any other fish.
Ickle Pickle
I absolutely love potato gratin but have never tried one like this. It looks delicious. Kaz x