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You are here: Home / Recipes / Mackerel Jansson’s Temptation (Swedish Potato Gratin)

Mackerel Jansson’s Temptation (Swedish Potato Gratin)

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Published on January 9, 2017 by Helen 35 Comments
Last Updated on September 21, 2018

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Jansson’s Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer.  This version uses canned mackerel and is served with crunchy quick pickles.

Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.

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.

Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.
Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.

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.

Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.

 

 

 

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.

Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.

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Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.
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4.89 from 9 votes

Mackerel Jansson's Temptation with quick pickles

Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel and is served with crunch quick pickles.
Servings: 4
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time45 mins

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.
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Mackerel Jansson's Temptation with quick pickles
Amount Per Serving
Calories 319 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 65mg22%
Sodium 113mg5%
Potassium 747mg21%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 690IU14%
Vitamin C 20.7mg25%
Calcium 174mg17%
Iron 5.3mg29%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main
Cuisine: Fish, Swedish
Keyword: Swedish Potato Gratin
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Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer. This version uses canned mackerel.

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.

 

Jansson's Temptation is a easy to make classic Swedish winter warmer.  This version uses canned mackerel and is served with crunchy quick pickles.

 

 

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  • A simple substitution makes this potato salad far more healthy without compromising on taste.
    Healthy Potato Salad - Half Mayo Half Yogurt

Filed Under: Fish & Seafood, Main Meal, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Sponsored, £ Ingredients: Cheese, Cream, Dill, Fish, Herbs, Onion, Potatoes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Katie Bryson

    5 stars
    Oooh Helen what a lush looking recipe and so simple to make! I love your little animated picture that shows the layering… really clever!!!!!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thanks Katie, I am rather proud of my little gif of the layering!

      Reply
  2. Filipa

    5 stars
    This looks absolutely delicious Helen. Lovely photos as well.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thank you Filipa, we have a new addiction to those pickles!

      Reply
  3. Ceri Jones

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I was so impressed with the Princes tinned mackerel. Amazing flavour and on a par with fresh.

      Reply
  4. 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!

    Reply
    • Helen

      We are addicted to the quick pickles. I am quick pickling everything!

      Reply
  5. Choclette

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thank you. Do try the quick pickles with the gratin, they nicely cut through the richness.

      Reply
  6. Corina

    I love tinned mackrel and this is such a tempting way to serve it!

    Reply
    • Helen

      I adore tinned fish, and this mackerel is amazing.

      Reply
  7. 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.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Salmon would be a great alternative!

      Reply
  8. Yaya

    4 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Helen

      The tinned version certainly doesn’t lack in quality. Worth trying it.

      Reply
  9. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    I love both the recipes featured they look really tasty and thankfully not to hard to make either, yum!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Very easy to make, and not at all time consuming.

      Reply
  10. Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Definitely worth trying something different.

      Reply
  11. Platter Talk

    5 stars
    Such a nutritious and delicious meal. Wonderful photos and directions and perfect for a cold winter day.

    Reply
    • Helen

      It is a good warming meal.

      Reply
  12. 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.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Do give it a try.

      Reply
  13. Jennifer durrans

    Great choice for spring and looks gorgeous and full of flavour! Good job!

    Reply
    • Helen

      It is a tasty dish.

      Reply
  14. hannah

    This doesn’t look that hard to make. i’m not a fan of mackerel though so i would probably make this without

    Reply
    • Helen

      It would be good with any other fish.

      Reply
  15. Ickle Pickle

    I absolutely love potato gratin but have never tried one like this. It looks delicious. Kaz x

    Reply
  16. Ana De- Jesus

    It looks so fresh with the mackrel! I love potato gratin it is such a tasty and like you said a frugal dish!

    Reply
  17. Louise

    I’ve been eating a lot of mackerel again recently so I’m going to have to give this recipe a try. Thank you for sharing :)

    Louise x

    Reply
    • Helen

      I adore canned mackerel. So delicious.

      Reply
  18. Anosa

    5 stars
    These is my delicious and yummy looking Swedish dish ever, I want to recreate this too with the mackerel

    Reply
    • Helen

      Hope you get to try it, easy to make and very delicious.

      Reply
  19. Kara

    5 stars
    Oh that does look delicious. Mackerel is about the only fish I will actually eat

    Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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