North Wild Kitchen

Tag: hearty

  • Sosekjøtt & Spring Mashed Potatoes

    Sosekjøtt & Spring Mashed Potatoes

    Norwegian sosekjøtt and Spring Mashed Potatoes
    Norwegian sosekjøtt and Spring Mashed Potatoes

    The sun is setting behind the mountain’s edge and as I look out the window, the trees sway in the gentle breeze. There’s an undeniable change happening as winter’s grasp seems to be giving way. Spring is officially here. And today, it’s Sunday.

    In the pot – gently simmering away – is a dish so simple, so classic, so unbelievably comforting it’s a wonder we don’t eat it more often. It’s the ideal Sunday dish; when the whole family has more time to take things slow, which in turn is reflected in the meal. Pieces of fatty chuck steak slowly cook in a rich, beef sauce flanked with onion slices a bay leaf. After a few hours, it’s ready. This perfect and simple stew called sosekjøtt, also referred to as kjøtt i morke “meat in the dark”.

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  • Rye Waffles with Wild Blueberry Butter (Rugvafler med Blåbærsmør)

    Rye Waffles with Wild Blueberry Butter (Rugvafler med Blåbærsmør)

    Rye Waffles with Wild Blueberry Butter (Rug Vafler med Blåbær Smør)Rye Waffles with Wild Blueberry Butter (Rug Vafler med Blåbær Smør)There’s something quite alluring about making waffles. Golden batter poured over a hot, textured iron, quickly flowing into each deep groove. As the top of the iron closes over the bottom, the batter squeezes towards the edges. Sometimes a little batter escapes the confines of the iron grasp and hangs on the outside. With a bit of patience, the waiting concludes with a simple green light or a gentle lift. The test of success comes in the form of desired crispiness, desired browning, and whether it can easily be peeled from its honeycomb embrace. Seeing those five hearts melded together and the taste of each one is nothing short of humble satisfaction. It’s the simple pleasures, you know. (more…)

  • Homemade Walnut Bread (Valnøttbrød)

    Homemade Walnut Bread (Valnøttbrød)

    Walnut Bread (Valnøttbrød)There’s nothing quite like the smell of homemade bread baking in the oven. The warmth of the oven encompassing the kitchen and the anticipation of taking the first bite.

    Bread is an absolute staple in Norwegian cuisine. You can usually count on a couple of slices for breakfast and lunch, each with a topping of choice. You’ll find, more often than not, an emphasis on hearty breads that rely on a variety of flours, whole grains and seeds. And while it may be easy to just pick up a loaf from the local bakery or store, nothing beats the taste of homemade bread.

    Walnut Bread (Valnøttbrød) (more…)

  • Hand-Cut Rye Noodles with Beer-Braised Beef

    Hand-Cut Rye Noodles with Beer-Braised Beef

    Hand-Cut Rye Noodles with Beer-Braised Beef Hand-Cut Rye Noodles with Beer-Braised BeefThis is part 2 of my @noodleholicsparty  challenge – where a group of food bloggers shared their favorite noodle dishes from around the globe. If you missed part 1 from last week, I created an elegant version of Juniper Berry & Barley Noodles with Creamy Chanterelles.

    But just to recap, although noodles are not part of the traditional Norwegian food culture, I found this challenge to be an interesting one to take on. I wanted to showcase just what a Norwegian noodle dish might look like. Because, after all, noodles are made with simple base ingredients. The same ingredients that are the building blocks for Norwegian breads, like lefse and flatbrød. So even though there has never been a distinctive Norwegian noodle, there is no reason there shouldn’t have been or should be one now.

    Hand-Cut Rye Noodles with Beer-Braised Beef Hand-Cut Rye Noodles with Beer-Braised Beef (more…)

  • Elggryte (Norwegian Moose Stew)

    Elggryte (Norwegian Moose Stew)

    Norwegian Moose Stew (Elggryte) Norwegian Moose Stew (Elggryte)Following on from my story about Moose Hunting in Norway (Elgjakt), here is a recipe for elggryte, a traditional moose stew utilising the flavors of the forest. Gryte means pot in Norwegian, and what better way to cook in the colder months than with everything stewing together in one pot.

    The mountainous regions of Norway are famous for moose and other types of venison. These meats are used in a variety of dishes such as karbonader (meat patties), kjøttkaker (meatballs), pølser (sausages), and spekemat (cured meats). Stews are a great way to tenderize the meat and concentrate the flavors. They are warming and filling, and easy to make. Best of all, they cook together in one pot and can be made both indoors and outdoors. (more…)