Lutefisk

For those who enjoy odiferous edibles...
Welcome Lutefisk to your holiday menu.

Lutefisk or lye-fish is air dried and salted cod whose origin goes back as far as the 15th century. With it's firm yet gelatinous texture lutefisk smells terrible but, like a fine cheese, tastes great. This translucent delight was not invented by the Norwegian or Swedish because they loved the taste and smell, but because there was no way to refrigerate food in the day of it's invention. Salted and air dried fish were made to preserve the meat for long periods of time for travel or long winters. The lye or caustic soda, which is often used in the making of soap, comes into play after the fish is salted and dried. It is used to re-hydrate the fish for consumption. After the fish is re-hydrated in the lye, which takes several days, it is baked, broiled or steamed and served with salt and pepper along with a butter, mustard or cream sauce. Traditionally this dish is served toward the end of the year over the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Long ago it was eaten during times of fasting because of its high protein content. For many Swedes, Norwegians and true mid-westerners, lutefisk takes the place of a Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham. Lutefisk is usually accompanied by whipped potatoes, peas and lefse (Swedish potato flatbread) and sometimes goat cheese. Although lutefisk has migrated from Sweden and Norway to America, there is a town in Minnesota called Madison that claims to be the lutefisk capital of the world.

LUTEFISK

&

GOAT CHEESE POTATOES

1lb.     Lutefisk

1/4C.  Butter

1/2C.  Green Peas

1C.     Whipped Potatoes (make your favorite way)

2tbl.    Goat Cheese

2pcs.   Lefse

           S&P

- Soak fish in cold water overnight (changing the water a few times)

- Season and cover fish with foil and bake @ 400degrees for aprox. 20min.

- Melt Butter

- Steam Peas

- Heat Whipped Potatoes

- Warm the Lefse

- Top Lutefisk with Melted Butter

- Top Potatoes with Goat Cheese

- Plate all ingredients

- Try not to sniff the fish and eat