Biff à la Lindström is a Swedish dish made from onion, potato, red beet, capers, and ground beef, which is made into patties and fried.[1]
Although the name Lindström sounds Swedish, the inclusion of beets and capers makes it likely that the dish originates in Russia. A common story is that the dish was invented by a Finnish soldier Henrik Lindström (1831–1910), who was born and raised in Saint Petersburg.[2] He supposedly visited Hotel Witt in Kalmar on May 4, 1862, where he wanted to treat his friends to a meal he used to eat in Russia.[2] He ordered the ingredients needed from the kitchen, and the guests were instructed by Lindström on how to make the patties.[2] The patties were then brought back to the kitchen, where they were fried, and then served.[2] The dish was promptly added to the hotel's menu. The dish remains on the hotel's menu.[2]
Another story attributes the dish to Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm, the chef that accompanied both Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen on their missions to the poles and through the Northwest Passage.[3]