Quick. Can you name five favorite foods that share names with movies?

Possibly the first title that would come to a Swede's mind would be "Janssons Frestelse," or "Jansson's Temptation," a popular potato casserole that plays a starring role on most holiday smörgåsbord and casual late-night buffet tables. There's some argument as to which came first: the movie or the dish. Some food historians say that it was developed during the filming of the 1929 Jansson's Frestelse. Others date it back to the 1800's, attributing its creation to opera singer and food lover Pelle Janzon. Still others claim that it was the undoing of Swedish immigrant and pietist sect leader Eric Jansson, the founder of Bishop Hill, Illinois.

No matter what its origin, Jansson's Temptation deserves its name. Whether enriched with cream or – in this version – half and half, Sweden's most famous potato dish is difficult to resist!

Jansson's Temptation image ©2008 Kari Diehl, licensed to About.com.