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Mølje
Mølje: northern Norwegian winter feast of poached cod, liver and roe
When the skrei, the big spawning cod, arrive in the Lofoten Islands and along the coast of northern Norway from January to March, families and fishing towns hold mølje feasts: thick steaks of fresh cod poached in salted water, served with the cod's liver and roe, boiled potatoes and flatbread. In Tromsø and Bodø restaurants serve it for the season, and people gather for mølje parties at home. Fresh cod liver and roe come from fishmongers in season; good fresh cod alone also works. A common mistake is boiling the cod hard, which makes it fall apart. Chef's tip: add the cod to salted water at a full boil, then turn off the heat at once and let it poach for 8 minutes; the flesh stays firm and juicy. The fish is ready when opaque and flaking.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the mølje
- 2 ¼ lb thick cod steaksskin on
- 7 oz fresh cod liveroptional
- 7 oz fresh cod roeoptional
- 12 ½ cups water
- 3 ⅛ oz salt
- 2 tbsp white vinegarfor the liver
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Poach 7 oz fresh cod roe in a little of the salted water at a bare simmer for 15–20 minutes, until firm and pale right through.
20 minStep 2: Poach 7 oz fresh cod liver in water with 2 tbsp white vinegar for 5 minutes, until firm.
5 minStep 3: Bring 12 ½ cups water and 3 ⅛ oz salt to a rolling boil, add 2 ¼ lb thick cod steaks, then turn off the heat and leave 8 minutes, until opaque and flaking at the bone. Common mistake: boiling; it falls apart.
8 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 46 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mølje take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of white vinegar?
- Cider vinegar or rice vinegar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
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