I was called out of retirement for this one, It's really sweet of you for wanting to try this out!
I'll try to give you some pointers below.
For general info, try googling "Swedish julbord", if you haven't stumbled onto the word before. Also, I'm pretty sure that IKEA stocks up on some Swedish specialties for the holidays, so you don't have to make everything from scratch if there's one near you. Alternatively, ask your son to bring some of the items (mainly tinned goods) the next time he visits
Bear with me, I'm no expert, and the julbord varies regionally. As well as, well, based on personal preferences.
In my family, we tend to keep it simple. The past couple of years, we've actually gone for a non-traditional stuffed turkey and no julbord at all
Here's a short list of the most common foods in the buffet; a generic Julbord101, possibly:
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Julskinka - a large salt-cured ham, oven-cooked and then eaten cold throughout the holiday;
http://scandinavianf...ristmas-Ham.htm
(This
should be available in IKEA.. pick up some mustard to go along with it too!)
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Gravad lax / gravlax - raw salmon fillet cured with salt, sugar and dill.
This can either be bought in stores, or you can prepare it yourself in advance and then just stick it in the freezer 'til you need it.
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[indent]Several variants of pickled herring,
inlagd sill - should also be available in IKEA.
Just make sure not to accidentally pick up
surströmming, the fermented herring
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Janssons Frestelse - "Jansson's temptation", a potato casserole with anchovies and onions.
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[indent]Don't forget those Swedish meatballs!
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Prinskorv -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prinskorv
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Lutfisk-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutefisk
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Rödbetssallad - a beet root salad:
http://sv.wikipedia....3%B6dbetssallad
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Boiled potatoes are a staple, and some rye crisp bread (Wasa brand has started popping up all over Europe in larger supermarkets).
As for drinks, Julmust (a special kind of soft drink) and Julöl (Christmas beer) are the only season-specific ones I can come up with, and might be available at IKEA. As well as some snaps to go along with the pickled herring, if you like.
That's what I can come up with right now, hope this helps reduce some of the panic you're feeling. The most ambitious of Christmas planners here haven't started freaking out yet (as far as I know, heh. I think they're stuck on crawfish party planning now) so you don't have to stress
Oh, wait, don't forget the gingerbread and glögg!
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Being the loving and caring parents we are, we naturally agreed and then I immediately went into panic mode!
I want to make a good impression and I want them all to feel welcome and comfortable. I know I could just ask Anna (said son's gf), but I want to make an effort and suprise them myself.
