What's the recipe for Lutefisk?

Question

It's my boyfriend's favorite food, and I promised him that I'd make for him on his birthday. The problem is that not only do I not know how to make it, I honestly don't know what it really is. Can anyone tell me?

Answer 1

It is dried cod fish that has been soaked in a lye solution for several days to rehydrate it. Here is a recipe:

Baked Lutefisk
My Great Aunt would make this around the holidays. We always enjoyed it.

2-3 lbs lutefisk
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup melted butter

Thaw lutefisk if frozen and cut into serving pieces.
Rinse and drain well. Place fish skin side down in one layer of heavy foil.
sprinkle with salt.
Bring foil around and make a fold in it.
Fold up ends and seal.
Place in shallow glass pan on a rake, seam up and bake at 325 for atleast one hour.
I do it a little more.
Cut corner and drain out excess water.
Serve with melted butter on a heated platter.

Answer 2

2 1/2 lb Lutfisk (haddock or Cod)
1 cup Slaked lime
2 qt Oak or maple ashes


Saw fish into 3 parts, clean thoroughly and place in a wooden bowl or pail. Add water to cover and set in a cool place for 5 to 6 days.

Change water each day. Remove fish and thoroughly clean wooden bowl.

Make a solution of water, lime and ashes and allow to stand overnight. Drain off clear liquid and pour over soaked fish, set in a cool place for 7 days. When fish is soft, remove from solution, scrub bowl well and soak fish for several days in cold clear water. Cook in boiling salted water at simmering temperature for about 20 minutes. Drain well and serve. The Norwegians serve the fish with melted butter; the Swedes serve it with white or mustard sauce. Allow 1/3 pound per person.

MUSTARD SAUCE
2 tbl Butter
ds Of pepper
3 tbl Flour
3 cup Fish stock
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tbl Prepared mustard

Melt 1 1/2 T. butter, blend in flour, salt and pepper, add fish stock gradually, stirring constantly until thickened then cook for an additional 3 minutes. Add mustard and remaining butter. Serve with boiled lutfisk, haddock or cod.