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Rakefisk (Fermented Trout)

Rakefisk (traditional Norwegian fermented trout) made from cleaned, unwashed fish layered with salt and sugar under pressure in a keg, producing its own brine and curing for about 2 months. Served with flatbread and butter.

Source: Henriette Schønberg Erken, Stor kokebok, 1914-utg. s. 125 (falt i det fri)

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About the dish

Rakefisk of trout is one of the oldest Norwegian preservation methods, especially associated with the inland districts. Erken gives a simple country recipe: the fish must never come into contact with water, and it makes its own brine under pressure.

How to make it

  1. 1

    Clean the fish

    Clean the trout, but absolutely do not rinse it in water. Remove the blood line along the backbone.

  2. 2

    Dry

    Dry the fish well with a clean cloth.

  3. 3

    Pack down

    Layer the fish in a keg or crock with salt in the belly. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar and a good handful of salt over each layer.

  4. 4

    Apply pressure

    Place a couple of boards over the fish and a couple of heavy stones on top. The fish makes its own brine.

  5. 5

    Curing

    Let the fish stand to cure; after about 2 months it is usually ready to eat. Over the course of a week you can pack down more fish in the same keg as you catch it.

  6. 6

    Serve

    Serve the rakefisk with flatbread and butter.

Changes from the original

The quantities are estimated for about 5 kg of trout, since the original gives no measurements. The "fish cloth" has been modernized to a clean kitchen towel. The method has been divided into steps.

Tidsmaskin – hva endret seg?

Velg to utgaver og se hva Henriette Schønberg Erken la til, fjernet eller endret mellom dem.

1914 (korrekturlest, s. 125)1949 (korrekturlest, s. 150)~77% av teksten endretfjernetlagt til
Ørret salt sukker. Ørretten renses, — men maa absolut 1 kg. ørret, frisk, ikke vaskes blek i vand. buken 60 gr. smør 15 » sukker salt. Rakefisk er gjæret fisk. Jo fetere fisken er, dess bedre. Fisken renses, gjeller og innmat fjernes. Blodranden borttages. Tørres åpnes. Hele fisken vaskes, tørres godt med fiskeklædet. Nedlægges Nedlegges i helt tett butt med godt lokk som går inni butten. Butten bør gnis inn med salt, legges lagvis med salt i buken, og 1 teske teskje sukker strøes over hvert lag, likesaa likeså strøes en god haandfuld håndfull salt over hvert lag. Fisken skal legges litt på skrå eller litt på siden med hodene ut til kanten av butten. Et par fjæler lægges over fjeler legges over, og ovenpaa ovenpå disse et par tunge stener. Fisken laker sig selv. Efter ca. 2 maaneders 2–3 måneders forløp kan den som regel spises. I løpet av en uke kan man nedlægge legge ned i samme dunk eller krukke, butt efterhvert som man faar får fisken. Serveres med flatbrød og smør. For salt må fisken ikke være, men heller ikke må det lukte av den. Gjæringen skal skje uten luft og under væske i 4–6 graders kjeller temperatur. Laken må alltid stå over fisken. Må der tilsettes lake, kokes denne i følgende forhold: 2% l. vann, så meget smørsalt som vannet optar; når laken er kold, tilsettes ½ fl. bayerøl. Fisken kan holde sig et par år, hvis den har vært frisk ved nedlegningen. Det fraskårne ben settes over ilden i koldt, saltet vann, og når det koker og er skummet, kokes hode og hale eller noen halestykker heri. Lakesuppe av kraften naturligvis.

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Frequently asked questions

Why should the trout not be washed in water?
Water disrupts the fermentation and can give a poor result. The fish is cleaned, the blood line removed, and it is dried well with the fish cloth instead of being washed.
How long must the rakefisk stand before it can be eaten?
According to the recipe it is usually ready to eat after about 2 months. The fish makes its own brine under pressure from boards and a couple of heavy stones.
How much salt and sugar are used?
Salt is placed in the belly of each fish, and for each layer 1 teaspoon of sugar and a good handful of salt are sprinkled over.
Can I pack down fish several times in the same container?
Yes, over the course of a week you can pack down fish in the same keg or crock as you catch it. Serve with flatbread and butter.

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