Bowl of Islandic Fish Stew
(click to enlarge)

Icelandic Fish Stew


Iceland   -   Plokkfiskur

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
3-3/4 #
***
1-1/3 hrs
Yes
A very fine traditional dish from the fishing villages or Iceland, now often made with a few modern touches - see Variations.

1-1/4
1-1/4
6
4
3
12
3
1
1/2

#
#
oz
oz
T
oz
T
t
t

Fish Fillet (1)
Potatoes
Onion
Bacon (opt 2)  
Butter
Milk
Flour
Salt
Pepper

Prep   -   (40 min)
  1. Place FISH FILLETS in water to just cover. Bring to a boil for a minute or so and take off the heat. Let the Fish cool in the broth. When removing it keep the broth to thin the sauce as needed.
  2. Cut POTATOES into small dice or chop coarse if wanting texture. Cut Larger if you're going to mash. Place in a pan with water to cover, bring to a boil, and simmer until tender. If mashing, coarse or fine as you prefer.
  3. Chop ONIONS fairly fine.
  4. IF using:, cut BACON as desired. Fry until just starting to brown.
Run   -   (40 min)
  1. Break Fish into flakes of the size you prefer.
  2. In a saucepan sufficient for the recipe (3 qt), heat Butter. Stir in Onions and fry stirring over moderate heat until translucent, no browning.
  3. Sprinkle Flour over Onions and fry stirring 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Slowly, add in the Milk, stirring constantly, then let simmer for 3 to 4 minutes stirring often.
  5. Stir in Potatoes, Bacon (if using), Salt, and Pepper. Stir well to coat with sauce. The sauce probably needs to be loosened, so stir in some of the broth from cooking the fish. Bring up to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring often.
  6. Stir in Fish until coated with sauce. Bring back to a simmering temperature stirring often.
  7. Serve hot, garnished as desired (chives, red onion, parsley, etc.) and accompanied with Dark Rye Bread. This dish can be reheated , just keep it over moderate heat and stir often.
NOTES:
  1. Fish:   The traditional fish is Haddock, which was much cheaper than Cod, which can also be used. The closest relative to Cod we're likely to find here in Southern California is Alaska Pollock, though I have once seen Hake in an Asian fish market. Some recipes recommend Halibut, otherwise use whatever white fleshed fish you can get, even Talapia works fine. For details see our Fish Pages (very large page).
  2. Bacon:

      This is NOT traditional, but common in Icelandic households today. I use Block Bacon cut about 1/8 x 1/4 x 3/8 inch, but Rasher Bacon can also be used.
  3. Variations:

      Today, Icelandic kitchens and restaurants have a few variations to the traditional recipe. Foremost is Bacon, which we have applied here. Another is to stir in tiny cooked shrimp. A teaspoon of Curry Powder is also popular. Older recipes mash both the fish and potatoes thoroughly (the name means something like "mashed fish"), but many households today make it with more texture, as we do here. Restaurants and some homes place the finished Plokkfiskur in a casserole, top with shredded (mild) cheese and brown the top in the broiler.
  4. Comments:

      Made with a fairly fine texture this would make a good filling for the Brauðterta Bread Cake.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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