There is something so satisfying about foods that have their leisurely time to get together, bringing warmth to the house with the aroma of slow-cooked foods. Perunalaatikko, or the adored potato casserole in Finland, has become a staple on most Finnish Christmas tables, and Perunalaatikko tastes as festive as the celebrations themselves. Soft, hardly sweet, and dusted with a golden crust on top, it is not merely food but a tradition, memory, and love itself cooked in a pan
Some background: A Little background
Perunalaatikko is an ancient part of Finnish Christmas. It is part of the category of dishes referred to as laatikko (meaning a casserole), and is are traditional Finnish festive foodstuff. Perunalaatikko is special because of the natural sweetness in it; the mashed potatoes are passed through natural sweetening and later baked. This dish truly rewards those who take their time with it. It was traditionally made by the family the day before to allow it to rest in a bed to marinate on the flavour before it went into the oven.
Ingredients
- 2 kg floury potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold; alternative: Maris Piper or other starchy)
- 3-4 cups whole milk (500 – 600 ml) (alternative: oat milk or use other plant-based creamy milk to make it lighter)
- 2 tbsp butter (substitute: plant-based butter in the case of vegans)
- 1 egg (optional, but can be useful to hold together, but not necessary, egg-free)
- 1-2 tbs molasses or dark syrup (ok to use honey or maple syrup instead)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (cinnamon can be used instead for a subtly different warmth)
- 1–2 tsp salt, to taste
- Breadcrumbs (for topping; substitute: crushed crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- Extra butter for greasing and dotting on top
Step 1: Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Submerge them in salted water and boil until tender. Drain well
Step 2: Mash the potatoes to a smooth consistency. Scrape a bit of the milk and the molasses/dark syrup into the pan, then stir gently. Cover and allow this mixture to sit for a couple of hours (or longer, overnight in the fridge). And this resting is useful to bring up that smooth sweetness
Step 3: The following day, or once the mixture has rested, stir in the remaining milk, butter, and egg (if using), along with the salt and spices. Beat until creamy and not runny–it should have a thick and spoonable consistency
Step 4: Grease a casserole dish with butter, spread the potato mixture evenly inside, and smooth the top with a spatula
Step 5: Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and dot with small pieces of butter, and you have the golden, crunchy crust
Step 6: When put in the oven, cover and bake at 175 °C (350 °F) approximately 1.5-2 hours until the top is browned, and the casserole is set
Serving Tips
Perunalaatikko serves best the traditional Christmas table in Finland, but the dish also goes very well with baked ham or with roast meats, or on its own as a warming accompaniment to a salad
- It is also good when reheated, which makes it ideal as holiday leftovers
- To take it up a notch, sprinkle some fresh herbs such as thyme on top of it before serving it- it adds a contrast of sweetness and freshness
Precautions
- Do not omit the resting time on the potatoes- the sweetness is the breakdown of natural starches, and it needs no rushing to bring out the overall flavour
- Use little syrup or molasses to begin with, and be able to use more, but make sure you do not use too much and overpower the delicateness
- If preparing it in advance, refrigerate and reheat it in the oven carefully so as not to dry out
More About Perunalaatikko
The potato casserole Perunalaatikko is much more than that; it is the definition of a Finnish Christmas comfort. Each bite is full of the cosiness of a house where there are always candles, laughter and family meetings. But even when you aren’t in Finland, this dish prepared in your kitchen gives the flavour of the Nordic tradition to your holidays
When the vacation time comes along, therefore, why not make a side of Perunalaatikko? It may also become potentially included in the family feast table.
