World Flavors Cookbook

Norway Recipes

Norwegian cuisine is defined by its fjords, Arctic waters, and mountains. World-class salmon, bacalao (salt cod), lutefisk, reindeer, cloudberries, and flatbread (lefse) reflect a land where preservation and the sea are the foundations of cooking.

Recipes from Norway

• Smørbrød with Smoked Salmon

  An elegant Norwegian open-faced sandwich featuring world-class smoked salmon on dense rye or white bread.

• Fårikål

  Norway's official national dish — a simple and hearty mutton and cabbage stew seasoned with whole peppercorns.

• Brunost (Brown Cheese) on Bread

  The ultimate Norwegian staple: sweet, caramelized brown whey cheese served on fresh bread or crispbread.

• Lutefisk

  Traditional dried whitefish treated with lye, resulting in a gelatinous texture, served with bacon and pea purée.

• Pinnekjøtt

  Salted and dried lamb ribs, steamed over birch sticks until tender, a Christmas favorite in Western Norway.

• Lefse

  Traditional soft Norwegian flatbread made from potatoes, flour, and cream, often served with butter and sugar.

• Pølse i Lompe

  The ubiquitous Norwegian hot dog served in a potato flatbread (lompe) instead of a bun.

• Kjøttkaker i brun saus

  Classic Norwegian meatcakes served in a rich brown gravy with mashed peas and potatoes.

• Raspeballer (Potato Dumplings)

  Heavy, dense potato dumplings often served with salted meat, bacon, and mashed rutabaga.

• Bergensk Fiskesuppe

  A creamy, elegant fish soup from Bergen, featuring small fish balls and a balance of sour and sweet.

• Bacalao (Norwegian Salt Cod Stew)

  A spicy, tomato-based salt cod stew influenced by Norway's long history of cod export to Iberia.

• Gravlaks

  Salmon cured with salt, sugar, and dill, served with a sweet and tangy mustard sauce.

• Rømmegrøt (Sour Cream Porridge)

  A rich, decadent sour cream porridge served with melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon.

• Sodd

  A traditional soup from Trøndelag with mutton, beef, and small meatballs in a clear broth.

• Finnbiff (Reindeer Stew)

  A savory stew made with thin shavings of reindeer meat, mushrooms, and a creamy juniper-scented sauce.

• Smalahove (Sheep's Head)

  A traditional delicacy from Voss: salted and smoked sheep's head, steamed and served with rutabaga mash.

• Rakfisk

  Fermented trout with a strong aroma and mild flavor, typically served with lefse, sour cream, and onions.

• Karbonader med løg

  Juicy beef patties served with a generous amount of caramelized onions on bread or with potatoes.

• Fiskeboller i hvit saus

  Mild fish balls served in a white béchamel sauce, often flavored with curry and garnished with shrimp.

• Spekemat (Cured Meat Platter)

  A selection of traditional Norwegian cured meats, served with scrambled eggs, flatbread, and potato salad.

• Kvæfjordkake

  Voted Norway's national cake: layers of sponge, meringue, and almonds with a rich vanilla cream filling.

• Multekrem

  A simple and luxurious dessert of whipped cream and cloudberries, the "gold of the mountains."

• Tilslørte bondepiker

  Literally "Veiled Farm Girls," a traditional trifle of apple sauce, toasted breadcrumbs, and whipped cream.

• Hveteboller (Cardamom Buns)

  Soft, airy sweet buns heavily scented with cardamom, the standard Norwegian bakery treat.

• Skillingsboller (Cinnamon Rolls)

  Bergen-style cinnamon rolls, large and flat with plenty of sugar and cinnamon.

• Norske Vafler (Norwegian Waffles)

  Heart-shaped, soft waffles flavored with cardamom, served with brown cheese or jam and sour cream.

• Pepperkaker (Gingerbread)

  Thin, crispy spiced cookies essential for the Christmas season.

• Krumkaker

  Thin, waffle-like cookies rolled into cones, often filled with multekrem.

• Kransekake

  A tower of chewy almond rings, the signature celebration cake of Norway.

• Riskrem

  Rice pudding mixed with whipped cream and sugar, served with a red berry sauce.

• Medisterkaker

  Fried cakes made of minced pork and pork fat, seasoned with ginger and cloves.

• Surkål (Norwegian Sauerkraut)

  Shredded cabbage cooked with vinegar, sugar, and caraway seeds.

• Laks med Sandefjordsmør

  Poached or pan-fried salmon served with a rich, buttery parsley and cream sauce.

• Rekesmørbrød (Shrimp Sandwich)

  A fresh white bread sandwich piled high with hand-peeled Arctic shrimp.

• Makrell i Tomat

  Mackerel fillets in tomato sauce, Norway's most popular canned topping for bread.