SMØRBRØD (Open Faced Sandwiches)

Contributed by Katie Allen, Sigrid Undset Lodge #32, Palo Alto, CA

Basic Ingredients

  • bread*
  • butter or other spreads (cream cheese, etc.)**
  • topping (see options below)
  • garnishes (see options below
  • toothpicks (optional)

Cheese Smørbrød Options

  • thinly sliced cheese such as geitost, Jarlsburg, Havarti, cheddar, Fontana, Lappi, etc.
  • thinly sliced: cored apple ring, tomato, cucumber radish, egg etc.
  • parsley sprig, lettuce leaf, etc. (optional)

Meat Smørbrød Options

  • thinly sliced meats such as salamis, sausage, roast beef, ham, turkey, etc.
  • thinly sliced or wedged: tomato, radish, cucumber, lemon pickles, etc.
  • parsley sprig, lettuce leaf, etc. (optional)

Fish Smørbrød Options

  • thinly sliced smoked salmon, cooked shrimp*, etc.
  • thinly sliced: egg, tomato, cucumber, lemon etc.or scrambled eggs
  • parsley sprig, lettuce leaf, etc. (optional)
  • wedge of lemon

Egg Smørbrød Options

  • thinly sliced hard boiled eggs
  • thinly sliced: tomato or cucumber
  • parsley sprig, lettuce leaf, anchovies filet, etc. (optional)

Veggie Options

  • cream cheese or other spread
  • veggies of choice
Smorbrod (Open faced sandwiches) Fish Smorbrod samples

So many choices of Smørbrød!

  1. Take one slice of bread (cut to size desired if desired) and add a light spread of butter or other spread (for shrimp, one can use a shrimp/cream-cheese dip mix spread)..
  2. Arrange bottom layer using either topping or garnish first, and then adding another layer of the other item. Top with garnish decorations if desired. If you need to hold sandwich together, add a toothpick.
  3. See photos for some ideas on creating your smørbrød.
  1. * Breads range from thinly sliced hearty whole-grains to white bread/buns of normal thickness.
  2. ** The butter or spread helps keep the bread from drying out and absorbing liquids from toppings in addition to adding flavor. Sometimes, the spread is more like sour cream consistency and just put in a dollop as above on lower shrimp photo. Horseradish is great with beef and veal!
  3. In Scandinavia, these open-faced sandwiches are served for either breakfast or lunch.
  4. In Sweden, they also have a fancier type of sandwich loaf that is decorated like a cake. It is called: Smörgåstårta (a Swedish sandwich cake). Goggle the name and find some amazing photos and recipes of this delight.
  5. Amounts of ingredients are up to individual cook's preferences.