Lutefisk with Bacon and Peas
Lutefisk is a traditional Nordic dish of dried whitefish (cod or ling) treated with lye, then rehydrated. This recipe prepares it simply by baking, serving with crispy bacon and tender peas.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 479 kcal
Allergen information: may contain milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
- 900 glutefisk, pre-soaked
- 200 gbacon, diced
- 250 gfrozen peas
- 30 gbutter, melted
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
Equipment
spatula · skillet · saucepan · oven · baking dish
The method
Step by step
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
About 5 min
- 2
Place the lutefisk in a single layer in a baking dish, ensuring the skin side is down if present.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: It's common for lutefisk to release a lot of liquid; a dish with higher sides is recommended.
- 3
Season the lutefisk with salt and pepper.
About 1 min
- 4
Bake the lutefisk for 30-40 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork.
About 40 min
Cook’s note: The texture should be gelatinous but firm enough to hold its shape.
- 5
While the lutefisk bakes, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Render the fat slowly for the best crispiness.
- 6
Remove the crispy bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: The bacon fat will be used to serve with the lutefisk.
- 7
In a small saucepan, bring a small amount of water to a boil and cook the frozen peas for 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
About 5 min
- 8
Drain the peas and toss them with the melted butter.
About 1 min
- 9
Once the lutefisk is cooked, carefully transfer it to serving plates.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Lutefisk can be quite delicate, so use a wide spatula.
- 10
Top the lutefisk with the crispy bacon and a spoonful of reserved bacon fat.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Serve immediately with the buttered peas on the side.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 478.9kcal
- Protein
- 46.5g
- Carbs
- 9.6g
- Fat
- 27.8g
- Fibre
- 3.2g
- Sugar
- 3.8g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store any leftover lutefisk and bacon separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Gently reheat lutefisk in the oven or microwave; crisp bacon in a dry skillet.
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