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Stockfish

Erken's method for stockfish (air-dried cod): beat the dried fish with a wooden mallet, soak it 1–2 days, steam it on a rack under a lid, and serve with oil, pepper, and salt.

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

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About the dish

Stockfish — air-dried cod — was one of the most important winter provisions in Norwegian households. Erken stresses that the fish must be beaten well before soaking, and recommends steaming, which gives a milder result than boiling in water.

How to make it

  1. 1

    Beat the fish

    Beat the dried fish well with a wooden mallet before soaking it.

  2. 2

    Soak

    Put the fish in cold water for 1–2 days. Change the water along the way. The fish should not be too salty, but it must also not smell.

  3. 3

    Steam the fish

    Put the fish on a rack in a pot with water underneath. The water must not reach up to the fish. Cook under a tight lid until the fish is heated through and flakes apart.

  4. 4

    Serve

    Take the fish out as soon as it is done, and prepare it with oil, pepper, and salt.

Changes from the original

Amounts are not given in the original; approximate amounts for one large stockfish have been added. The method is broken into steps and put into modern language.

Time machine – what changed?

Pick two editions and see what Henriette Schønberg Erken added, removed or changed between them.

1914 (proofread, p. 125) → Modernised~86% of the text changedremovedadded
Fisken bankes 1 kg stokkfisk (tørrfisk) (banket). 2 spiseskjeer olje. pepper (etter smak). salt (etter smak). Bank tørrfisken godt med en træklubbe, inden treklubbe før den lægges legges i bløt bløt.. Legg fisken i 1 å 2 kaldt vann i 1–2 døgn. Skift vann underveis. Fisken blir bedst ved at kokes skal ikke være for salt, men den må heller ikke lukte.. Legg fisken på en rist i damp. Fisken lægges da paa en rist, og vandet maa gryte med vann under. Vannet må ikke naa fisken; kokes nå opp til fisken. Kok under lok. Tages op tett lokk til fisken er gjennomvarm og løser seg i flak.. Ta fisken opp straks den er færdig. Tilberedes ferdig, og tilbered den med olje, pepper og salt. For salt maa fisken ikke være, men heller ikke maa det lugte av den.

Note on Modernised

Mengder er ikke oppgitt i originalen; det er lagt inn omtrentlige mengder for én stor stokkfisk. Fremgangsmåten er delt i trinn og satt i moderne språk.

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Frequently asked questions

How long must the stockfish soak?
1 to 2 days. Before soaking, the fish should be beaten with a wooden mallet to soften it.
What is the best cooking method?
Steaming. Put the fish on a rack over water, so the water does not reach the fish, and cook under a lid. Take the fish out as soon as it is done.
How should the fish be served and taste?
It is prepared with oil, pepper, and salt. The fish must not be too salty, but it should also not smell.

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