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Roast ptarmigan

Larded ptarmigan are browned in butter, moistened with boiling water, simmered for about 1 hour, given cream and brown goat's cheese and simmered on; the sauce is made in the same pot. From Erken's Stor kokebok (1949), p. 362.

Source: Henriette Schønberg Erken, Stor kokebok, 1949-utg. s. 362 (falt i det fri)

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About the dish

The book stresses that good, well-cleaned birds and gentle cooking with the lid not fully on give the best result. Brown goat's cheese in the pot gives the sauce its character.

How to make it

  1. 1

    Prepare the birds

    Clean the ptarmigan. Lard them, or lay a slice of bacon over the breast and tie with string.

  2. 2

    Brown

    Brown the birds in the butter in the pot, turning until brown on all sides. Add the boiling water, salted, a little at a time. Take care they do not burn, and now and then add a teaspoon of cold butter to the pot.

  3. 3

    Simmer

    After the birds have simmered for 1 hour, pour in the cream. Keep simmering for ½–¾ hour. The cheese cooks with them for the last half hour. Do not put the lid fully on, or the birds will be boiled rather than roasted. Never prick them with a fork when turning; use two spoons.

  4. 4

    Make the sauce

    Lift out the birds and make the sauce in the same pot: first whisk a couple of dl cream into the butter, then ½–1 dl boiling water, whisking well from the bottom and around the sides. Season with salt and reduce vigorously until nicely thickened.

Changes from the original

Measures are converted to modern units. The ½–1 dl water for the sauce is listed as 0.75 dl; the range is in the text. The method is split into steps.

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Frequently asked questions

Why not put the lid fully on?
The book says the birds would then be boiled rather than roasted.
Why not use a fork?
Never prick the birds with a fork when turning; use two spoons.
What does the goat's cheese do?
It cooks with the birds for the last half hour and gives the sauce its flavour.

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