Lutefisk

I think that of all the grosse stuff we eat for Christmas in the North, lutefisk is the most famous. The reason for this being that when most Norwegians emigrated to USA about 100 years ago, this was something they looked forward to eating for Christmas, mainly because they had nothing else to eat, and which is why they emigrated in the first place....

So these days, the world record holder in lutefisk eating (yes they have comeptitions like that in USA) is a very fat man from Minnesota. I am obviously not too fond of it myself, but I crawl to the cross as least once a year, and make it for those who like it. And I always make enough fried bacon and mashed peas, not to mention my very strong and very sweet mustard, so it will be enough for those who will not eat the fish, and for those who only pretend that they like the fish (there are strong rumours about that it actually makes hair grow on your chest when you eat it) and want to drown the vile flavour of it.

Lutefisk

Put the pieces in an oven proof dish with the skin down. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake it at 200 center grades for about 40 minutes. That's it.

Crispy Fried Bacon

Cut the bacon in small pieces and fry them at low heat for a loooong time. Stir in it a bit while it happens.

Mashed Peas

Cook a pack of frozen peas wit a little bit of butter, when they are soft, crush them with a stick mixer and add salt, pepper and a bit of tyme to taste.

Sweet and strong mustard

This mustard will cover any taste of the lutefisk, and should make you be able to divulge at least a little piece of it. Mix together
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons of coarse, sweeet mustard (we use mustard from Skåne in Sweden for this - IKEA!)
2 teaspoons of powdered English mustard
2 teaspoons of honey

This is traditionally served with our customary floury potatoes and Christmas beer which holds 7% alcohol, and aquavit, and I am sure this is the reason why we still make it here, as next day, people have normally forgotten what it tastes like...

And here you have a very happy Norwegian family eating lutefisk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqIDzEdEHg&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLC34B5824AE7D2406