TORsday - recipes from the Norwegian Kitchen - with some word spices

Happy TORsday
Instead of Thursday 13, I will introduce Norwegian Cooking (might have some influences from other cultures as well). What most of my dear readers might not know: Norwegians Chefs have won the unofficial world championship in master cooking several times- Bocuse d'Or (also the European). Surprised? I think so.
Some of my readers my remember I gave my DIL a present when I was over the Pond visiting in early August this year? I wrote about papa that did make dinner for the two of them. Yeah?


This is the Book I brought from Norway. My DIL now uses it and makes great dishes. Hurray.
The good thing with the recipes here, is the fact: Cooking made simple and quick in a busy life, based on real, basic materials (100% control of what you eat - nearly)

Some Facts before you read this weeks recipe.
You know the truth about Vikings? They are rather shy. And allways struggled for survival. As close to the North Pole they did and still live. They even went to Iceland, Greenland and Vinland (North-East Canada and USA) to find a better place to cook - more than 1000 years ago.
Then for about 140 years ago, they went to the "Promised Land" in North Dakota. Still 33% of the North Dakotians are of Norwegian heritage.

I'll start with something that many of my readers may have misunderstood. Treathend species or animals.
Starter: Haricots Verte with real farm butter
Main Dish: Whale sirloinded with fresh, organic potatoes and gravy sauce.
Dessert: Fresh, organic berries with vanilla sauce or Ice Cream.
Finnish with: Tiny cup of Espresso (Sugar if preferred, but cane sugar) and a tiny piece of Chocolade - at least 85% Cocoa.
You may also enjoy it with Calvados (young) - or plain fresh water (not ice-water) .
Avoid Sweets

Then comes to fun: How to get hold of the ingredients?

Start early in the Spring. Dig out a field for your Haricot beans. Then buy some seeds. And plant the seeds. Look after the "Bean-field" carefully throught the Summer. Check and be aware of dryness.
Pick the Haricots when ripe.
Wash them and let them dry on neutral paper towels.
Then put them in boiling water for a minute or so, depending on seize.

When digging a field for your Beans, also dig a small land for your favourite Potatoes.
Let them grow naturally. But, don't forget Potatoes are water and starch. All the vitamins and what your body needs are in the "Robe" - the skin, so do not get rid of that important nutrion.
Potatoes should not be "overboiled". Use a fork to test when they have just "softened" in the middle. Use potatoes same size, or chop them equally large.

When everything above, is well in soil, you must plan the Hunting season.
That's the toughest part. And may be restricted by law or money - depending of where you live.

You can hire on a whale ship - as whatever you can do, you can do a deal with the indigenous at Olympia penninsula in Washington state, negociate with hunters from Greenland or Iceland,

or go to a Norwegian shop or market. Like here in Bergen at the Fish Market . Your Guide is my cousin from Americas.
To buy your Whale Beef fresh or Frozen. Here, at the Fish Market, all fresh fish and Fruit de Mer - all from the Ocean - fresh from the day (or last Night).

As with all kinds of tender meat (Whale beef is extrodinary tender) - you can prefare as you like it. In a pan, in the oven or on the BQ. We prefere to use a Pan and some oil or real butter, and served red inside. Then on high temperature. It normally takes a little longer than a "Tournados" or Tender Beef. You'll find out. But, there will be no crises a minute or so less or more.

Gravy sauce, well I think you can make it yourself or just buy it in your local store.

Berries, organic must be. Pick from your own Garden or in a Forest near by you (Nature is amazing). May be you prefere to buy them from your local Farmers Market - or Grocery shop.
Ice or sauce, it's up to you.

The dessert is only an option, so are the espresso avec.
Bon Appetit - Have a happy and pleasant meal

Facts about Whales: It is species of Whales that are allmost eradicated. Like the Blue Whales. Right? But not all sorts of Whales are endangered. The Minke Whale for instance. They are so many in some areas they have what the Fishers says: Left the ocean black. That means, they eat all the Fish. And die, like some species of Seals, by hunger. It's like hunting Moose, Raindeer and other of that species that have become too many for their pasture. (Humans kills the predators, so they have no longer natural enemies enough to keep the number in line with nature).

More food to be presented (my way) -- so stay tuned.

ps. My health is slowly coming back to normal. Hurray.
Hugs to all of you. I'll soon be back as a regular commenter as well.

Please excuse my English. After some weeks out of normal working days - gosh, I do forget