When coming to a new country, whether you stay for a long holiday or just for a short trip, you have to try and get used to a whole new world of cuisine and sometimes some of them may give you an uncomfortable culinary experience. Luckily, these Norwegian dishes below are much more tasty than how their names sound.
[rpi]1. Fish pudding – Fiskepudding
Have you ever imagined a strange mix between the sweetness of a delicious pudding dessert with the salty taste of fish? Coming to Norway, do not miss this exciting culinary experience. The fish pudding is fortunately not a dessert and the actual presentation of the dish also looks much more appealing than the picture on the packaging.
The only negative about this Norwegian favorite dish probably lies in the fact that it is a bit simple to prepare. Fiskepudding is a mixture made of white fish, flour, milk and spices. Fish pudding can also be served with a cream sauce, and when served as such, it is called Flote Pudding.
Fish pudding is usually served with boiled potatoes, grated carrots, fried onions and more. The dish has a taste and texture similar to fish cakes or burgers. If you love these two dishes then you definitely won’t have a problem with fish pudding. This is a fairly common dish in Norway and you’ll find it in most supermarkets and convenience stores.
2. Sour cream porridge – Rommegrot
Rommegrot is a sour cream porridge usually eaten on special occasions. Porridge is made from sour cream, whole milk, flour, butter and salt. Recipes may vary slightly depending on the region you are in.
Sour cream porridge is usually served with butter, sugar, cinnamon and cream. This is a smooth, sweet, and savory dish with a texture similar to Greek yogurt. The porridge taste is quite rich and will definitely fill you up with a full serving, so you should opt for a small portion if this is your first time trying this dish.
This dish is not only loved but is also associated with many local festivals in Norway. In Westby Wisconsin, a small town with a lot of Norwegian heritage, they hold an annual Rommegrot eating contest. You can make Rommegrot sour cream at home or buy it from most Norwegian supermarkets.
3. Brown cheese – Brunost
Brown cheese is a type of goat cheese, the main ingredient is milk juice, the whey is produced during the cheese making process, which is usually filtered, heated until it thickens into a rather salty mixture, then sweetened with caramel. The dish sounds quite appealing, especially to those who are cheese lovers. You can find Brunost cheese in most supermarkets and in the breakfast buffets of many hotels.
This is a stand-alone dish to be eaten on its own, not a seasoning ingredient added to other dishes. However, this makes some people dislike it. Take havre vafler (salty oat waffles) or sveler (thick Norwegian pancakes) as two typical examples. Both dishes are traditionally served with brown cheese, sour cream and jam.
Although this combination may not sound too appealing, it is a must-try dish for those who want to experience Norwegian food culture. It’s a delicious, well-balanced combination that works surprisingly well.
4. Meat skewers – Pinnekjott
The name of the dish translates as ‘barbecued meat’ because it’s made from salted and dried lamb ribs steamed on white sugar skewers. The dish is usually served with mashed potatoes, papaya and pureed Swedish sausage.
Pinnekjott is one of the signature dishes you can find on the menu if you’re having Christmas dinner in Norway. This dish is served all over Norway but is more popular both in Western and Northern Norway.
Lamb chops cooked just enough to be soft are the highlight of this dish, creating a very delicious and attractive taste. The salty taste of meat along with the fleshy taste of mashed potatoes makes the dish really explosive.
5. Cod Caviar – Kaviar
Kaviar is made from a mixture of smoked cod roe that is whipped cream and packed into tubes. This ice cream can be found in every supermarket in Norway and is a must-have in every Norwegian’s fridge.
While it may not sound very appealing, kaviar is a very popular snack or breakfast, often served on bread or crusty bread (knekkebrod). Kaviar has a strong salty taste, with a characteristic odor that may turn some people off, but it is certainly worth a try.
6. Pickled dried cod – Lutefisk
Lutefisk is made from white fish that is dried and then soaked with vinegar to reduce the fishy taste and enhance the sour taste with the sauce. Lutefisk is traditionally made with boiled potatoes, green beans and bacon. The smell of Lutefisk is very strong and pungent with a sour aroma. The fish dish has a very mild and delicious taste, surely anyone who eats it once must remember it for a lifetime. This special dish of pickled cod is used by Norwegians during Christmas holidays or family gatherings.