Scandinavian

At Malmo's Saltimporten Canteen, two ambitious Swedes make satisfying, affordable food for an impossibly chic crowd

Saltimporten sources only the freshest wild mushrooms available and uses them raw in this dish. If using less-than-pristine mushrooms, saute them quickly in a neutral-flavored oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable oil.

These Swedish meatballs, which are adapted from the ones served up at Smörgås Chef in NYC, get their distinctive flavor from nutmeg and allspice—and just a bit of sugar. Do like they do at the homey West Village restaurant and serve them alongside whipped potatoes and lingonberries. You can find lingonberry preserves, a Scandinavian favorite and classic accompaniment to meatballs, at IKEA or online.

Gravlaks — fish cured with salt, sugar, and dill — is usually made with salmon, but we like the milder flavor of arctic char for this particular dish. Keep in mind before starting to cure your fish that you will need to turn it every 12 hours for a total of 36 hours.