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Scandinavian mustard dill sauce garnished with a sprig of dill in a white serving dish sitting on a terra cotta tile countertop.
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Scandinavian Mustard Dill Sauce

The perfect match for a simply prepared salmon fillet, Scandinavian mustard dill sauce is delightfully rich in pungency and complexity, but remarkably spare in terms of effort. It is tangy in flavor, silky in texture, and also pairs beautifully with potatoes and other vegetables. While this sauce is a longstanding Nordic favorite, what makes this particular version so special is a secret little ingredient from your spice cabinet...just a kiss of ground cardamom.
Course Sauce
Cuisine Scandinavian
Keyword easy, make-ahead, quick
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup Swedish or Dijon mustard
  • about ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
  • about 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • about 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • pinch ground cardamom
  • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil (or sunflower oil for a more neutral option)
  • kosher salt
  • fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mustard, dill, lemon juice and zest, sugar, and cardamom.
  • Gradually drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly, until the sauce is well blended and smooth.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Adjust the balance of flavors by adding more dill or lemon juice and zest, as desired.
  • Serve at room temperature or chilled.