5 Finnish Recipes That Will Liven Up Your Next Dinner

The beautiful sights and smells of the crisp air of Finland are unparalleled in their beauty and pristine nature. Like the Finland landscape, their food is simple ingredients yet complex in textures and freshness. If you’re looking to take a trip to Finland for your next dinner Soceity19 is here for you. Here are 5 Finnish recipes that will liven up your next dinner.

This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving some extra texture for your next dinner.

1. Finnish Cabbage Casserole (Lihakaalilaatikko)

If you’re looking to warm yourself with some unique cabbage layers, sweet butter texture and beef, this recipe is perfect for you. This cabbage casserole is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. If you’re craving some sweet buttery goodness, this recipe is a must try for you. 

Ingredients

• 1 small cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup of onion, minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp corn syrup
• 2 tsp salt
• ¼ ground marjoram
• 1 tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp parmesan, cheese

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350F. In a large pot, bring your water to a rolling boil. Add in your cabbage until tender and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes, drain. Remove from heat and add in your onion, butter, syrup,salt, whtie pepper, marjoram, allspice and nutmeg, stir to combine. In another bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumb, milk and eggs. Butter your casserole dish. Place your cabbage mixture into the baking dish then layer meat mixture, repeat the process until the baking dish is full. Sprinkle with the parmesan then bake at 350F for 60 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with cranberries. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is when you’re craving something uniquely Finland to your dinner menu.

2. Karjalanpiirakka ( Karelian Pies)

These puffy pies are perfect for when you’re craving a fluffy breaded texture stuffed with rice. And while this pie seems simplistic in style, the flavores will rock your world.  When you’re looking for a sweet puffy rice crunch to your life, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

Rice Stuffing

• 5.3 oz short grain rice
• 10.6 oz water
• 175 oz unsalted butter
• 1 liter of whole milk
• 1 pinch salt

For The Dough

• 100 grams whole rye
• 50 grams flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 75 grams of water.
• 15 grams butter melted

For Egg Butter Or Munavoi

• 4 eggs boiled
• 120 grams butter, room temperature
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper

Directions

In a saucepan, pour in water and heat on medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil and add your rice. Cook for 5 minutes. Add in your butter with milk and reduce to low heat. Cook for about 45 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally until smooth and thick. Once rice is ready, add in your salt to taste before filling the pies. Next, make the dough. In a medium mixing bowl, add the rye flour together with wheat flour, salt, water and melted butter. Mix with a spatula to get a compact mixture. Work the dough until the dough is firm. Shape into a cylinder that is 2 inches in diameter. Next, cut into 8 to 10 portions. Sprinkle a surface with flour and stretch the dough into discs with a roller until they are thin. Remember the thinner the dough the crunchier the pie! Preheat your oven to 500F. Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set to the side. Stuff your rice mixture into the pastry leaving space around the edge. Fold the dough over and start creating waves from the middle of the pastry out, pinching with your fingers. Repeat the process. Bake for 14 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and crunchy. While they are baking, make your egg butter. Cut the boiled eggs into small squares and mix with butter. Season and set the side. Remove the pies from the oven, let cool. Serve and enjoy.  

When you’re craving the sweet meat of salmon but crave that creamy texture, this recipe is perfect for you!

3. Lohikeitto ( Finnish Salmon Soup)

If you’re craving salmon but don’t want that crunchy skin taste, this recipe is perfect for you. Lohikeitto is the pinnacle of tender salmon topped with a butter broth that is unparalleled. If you want something soft, tender and sweet for your next dinner, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 1 leek, sliced
• 4 cups fish stock
• 1 pound of potatoes, cubed
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 pound of slam, cut into large chunks
• 1 cup cream
• 1 dash salt
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 dash dill, chopped

Directions

Begin by  heating your butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add in your leeks and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until wilted. Next, add in your potatoes, carrot and fish stock. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Add in your salmon and cream and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, be sure to adjust the seasoning at this time. Sprinkle with dill. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is for those who want a true taste of Finnish culture.

4. Hirshon Lappish Sauteed Reindeer

This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving the taste of Finland and have a bit of an extra budget. While some may be put off by this recipe because of the meat choice, this recipe is delicious. And full of rich textures and flavors that are unique to Finland. This recipe especially is derived from centuries of survival and culture of the Finnish people. If you want a taste of Finnish pride, this recipe is a must try. 

Ingredients

• 750 grams of reindeer meat ( deer also works for this recipe)
• 100 grams of bacon, chopped
• 1 large yellow onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ can beer of your choice
• 175ml beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pinch black pepper
• ¼ tsp juniper
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 servings of mashed potatoes
• 20 tbsp butter
• 1 ⅓ cup whole milk
• 2 serving cranberry jam

Directions

Heat your butter in a large pot. Add in your onion and let cook until soft. In a separate pan, add your bacon and fry. Next, add your reindeer meat to the pot and add bacon. Stir and season with your salt and pepper. Add in your bay leaves and pour beer into the stock. Let it cook low and heat for 90 minutes. Prepare your mashed potatoes. Serve reindeer hot on top of the mashed potatoes, with a dollop of jam. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe offers a unique sense of freshness and warmth.

5. Kesakeitto ( Finnish Summer Vegetable Soup)

If you’re craving a thick creamy fresh soup but don’t feel like cooking for a long time, this recipe is perfect for you. This recipe with it’s fresh potatoes, carrots, green peas, cauliflower, and spinach is a unique combination of hot and refreshing. Let’s get started. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of water
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 potato, cubed
• ¾ cup green peas
• 1 cup green beans
• ¼ cauliflower, separated into small sections
• 2 cups of spinach
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp flour
• ¼ cup whipping cream
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 small pinch pepper
• 2 tbsp dill weed or parsley

Directions

Take a large pot and heat your water to a rolling boil over medium high heat. Add in all your vegetables, except your spinach,  and reduce the heat. Cover and let simmer until vegetables are soft and tender, around 10 to 15 minutes. Add in your spinach and cook uncovered for an additional minute. Next, add your milk and flour and stir gently until thickening. Stir in your remaining milk, whipping cream, salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Garnish. Serve and enjoy. 

If you’re looking to taste the pristine and perfect flavors of Finland, these recipes are a must try. With so many textures and flavors to choose from, there is a Finnish recipe for everybody.