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THE LOCAL RECIPES

FOOD AND DRINK

How to make delicious Swedish mushroom tart

This classic mushroom tart may not be Sweden's most visually pleasing dish, but it's certainly a rustic dream if you're a mushroom and cheese lover. Food writer John Duxbury shares his recipe with The Local.

Summary

Serves: 4

Preparation: 10 minutes

Cooking: 35  minutes

Total: 45 minutes

Tips

This tart is best made with wild mushrooms, but they should only be picked by experienced mushroom gatherers. If you cannot find any to buy – or pick yourself – then exotic or cultivated mushrooms can be used as a substitute. The pastry case is made with spelt flour and chopped walnuts. This gives it a delightful texture which contrasts well with the filling. You can use wheat flour if you want, but spelt offers the dish a nicer texture.

Bake the tarts in four 12 cm (4½”) diameter flan tins with loose bases. If you don't have individual flan tins use a 23 cm (9 inch) flan dish instead.

Children picking mushroom. Photo: Image Bank Sweden  

Ingredients

Pastry

220 g (1,25 cups)  whole grain spelf flour

15 g (2 tbsp) chopped walnuts

pinch salt

75 g (3 oz) butter, chopped into small pieces

1 egg yolk

2 tbsp water

Filling

4 shallots, finely chopped

400 g (1lb) mushroom, preferably wild, and brushed clean         

25 g (1 oz) butter

2 tsp chopped thyme

1 lemon, grated zest only

2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

1 egg yolk    

150 ml  (0,25 cups) double (heavy) cream

100 ml (0,5 cups) milk

50 g  (2 oz)  Västenbottenost

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

4 walnut halves       

*Use parmesan cheese if you can't get Västenbottensost

Method

1. Briefly blitz the flour, chopped walnuts and salt in a food processor.

2. Add the butter and continue to blitz until it forms fine breadcrumbs.

3. Add the egg yolk and water and blend until it forms a dough. Add more water if it is too dry. Cover with clingfilm and chill for 30 minutes.

4. Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F, Gas 6, Fan 170°C).

5. Roll out the pastry and line 4 lightly-greased loose-bottomed tart tins.

6. Bake blind for 10 minutes and then non-blind for a further 5 minutes.

7. Gently fry the shallots in the butter until softened but not brown.

8. Add the mushrooms and cook until they are beginning to soften.

9. Stir in the thyme, lemon zest and parsley then season.

10. Whisk the egg yolk, cream, milk and cheese together, then stir into the pan.

11. Divide the mixture between the tins and top each with a walnut half.

12. Bake for 20 minutes or until set.

13. Serve warm or cold 

For members

FOOD AND DRINK

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

For Eurovision visitors, students or anyone else looking to have a good evening without breaking the bank, Malmö has plenty of pubs – which is good news for beer drinkers, as alcohol is famously expensive in Sweden.

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

Most of these are around the Möllan neighbourhood, which is more or less the centre of the city’s nightlife.

A general tip if you’re buying a beer anywhere in Sweden and aren’t too bothered about the exact one you get is to order a stor stark, literally a “big strong one”. These are usually half a litre of beer at around 5.5 percent ABV, so bear that in mind if that’s more than what you’re used to.

Nobes

Technically known as Gamle Nobes Bodega, everyone in Malmö calls it Nobes. Originally opened in 1937, Nobes is the closest you’re going to get to a British-style pub or German Bierhalle, with its tiled floor and rustic dark wooden décor.

As far as food is concerned, Nobes has some of the best traditional Swedish food in Malmö, with its kålpudding cabbage casserole, served with gravy, potatoes, pickled cucumber and lingonberry jam a must (it’s better than it sounds, we promise).

They have a dart board and sometimes have live music, and you can choose from a range of draft or bottled beers, ciders and wines.

Expect to pay a minimum of 60 kronor for a beer and around 160 kronor for food.

Address: Kristianstadsgatan 36

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm-midnight, Fri 2pm-1am, Sat noon-1am and Sun noon-midnight

Ölkaféet

This is one of the most popular pubs in the Möllan neighbourhood, and that’s not just because it’s the unofficial supporters bar of the local football team, Malmö FF.

They’re cheap and cheerful, with reasonably priced pub grub, a heated outdoor seating area with views over the Möllan square and football matches on the TV, if that’s your kind of thing.

They even have a small library, a gallery wall with works by local artists, and board games like backgammon, checkers and chess, which you can borrow.

If there are no seats (it can get busy on the weekend), Vegan Bar next door is a good alternative, even for non-vegans.

A standard 50cl beer (veckans öl or “beer of the week”, despite the fact it hasn’t changed in years) costs around 65 kronor, with a burger costing around 140 kronor.

Address: Södra Skolgatan 43 – or just walk to the Möllevångstorget square and look for the bright blue awnings.

Opening hours: All days 10am-1am

Rex Pizzeria

Rex, on Nobelvägen, is probably the best example of a classic Swedish pizzeria that you can find in Malmö.

A warning: leave any expectation of Italian-style pizzas at the door, as Rex is firmly in the Swedish-style fulpizza category.

Their pizzas, such as the Tropicana, with cheese, tomato, ham, banana and curry powder, almost make a Hawaiian pizza look tame – although you can get more normal pizza toppings too if banana and curry is a bit too wild for you. They also have vegetarian and vegan options, for groups with allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Pizzas aside, Rex is also a popular pub with cheap drinks, shuffleboard and pool tables, and a nice outdoor serving area in summer. They often host quizzes, standup or other entertainment in their event room in the basement.

Beers cost around 60 kronor and pizzas range from 70 to 140 kronor.

Address: Nobelvägen 107

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 11am-1am, Sun-Mon 11am-11pm

Azalee

If you’re looking for a cheap bar which also provides the evening’s entertainment, Azalee’s your best bet.

This bar is a bizarre mix of casino, karaoke bar and pub, and an evening of karaoke here is equally as entertaining whether you’re getting up on stage yourself or just listening to the other guests get progressively worse at singing as the night goes on.

They offer classic pub fare at around 150-200 kronor and reasonably priced drinks.

Address: Claesgatan 8

Opening hours: Weds-Tors 4pm-1am, Fre-Sat 4pm-3am

Karaoke: Weds and Thurs, 8pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 8pm-3am

Blackjack Weds-Sat 6pm-close

Entry fee: 50kr after 11pm on weekends

Lion Bar

The picturesque Lilla Torg area of Malmö is not known for being cheap, but Lion Bar (a national chain) is an exception, offering a 40cl beer for under 40kr.

Food wise, they offer standard pub grub – nachos, buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, burgers and so on – with deals on some food items.

Unsurprisingly, the prices rise if you stray from the special offers, particularly if ordering cocktails or wine.

Address: Landbygatan 4

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 3pm-1am

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