{"id":6548,"date":"2006-12-04T17:11:58","date_gmt":"2006-12-04T22:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=6548"},"modified":"2011-07-06T08:36:28","modified_gmt":"2011-07-06T13:36:28","slug":"5299","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2006\/12\/04\/5299\/","title":{"rendered":"Lutefisk \u2013 It\u2019s No Joke for One Minnesota Congregation"},"content":{"rendered":"

RICHFIELD, MN (December 4, 2006) \u2013 (Editor\u2019s note: the following is offered in the hope it will bring both humor and enlightenment to our readers as we approach a very special season for all of our Scandinavian friends.)
\n
\nEvery Advent we entered the purgatory of lutefisk, a repulsive gelatinous fishlike dish that tasted of soap and gave off an odor that would gag a goat. We did this in honor of Norwegian ancestors, much as if survivors of a famine might celebrate their deliverance by feasting on elm bark. <\/em>\u2013 Garrison Keillor, \u201cLake Wobegon Days\u201d<\/p>\n

Lutefisk is the Norwegians’ attempt at conquering the world. When they discovered that Viking raids didn’t give world supremacy, they invented a meal so terrifying, so cruel, that they could scare people to become one’s subordinates. And if I’m not terribly wrong, you will be able to do it as well.<\/em> – Jeffrey Steingarten, Julia Child Book Award winner<\/p>\n

Lutefisk \u2013 the piece of Cod that passes all understanding.<\/em> \u2013 Anonymous<\/p>\n

Well, we tried the lutefisk trick and the raccoons went away, but now we’ve got a family of Norwegians living under our house! <\/em>\u2013 Ole and Lena joke<\/p>\n

Lutefisk is no joke to the members of Bethany Covenant Church.<\/p>\n

The much-maligned Scandinavian dish is the featured attraction on a menu that is expected to draw up to 150 people on Saturday for a church fundraiser.<\/p>\n

The church started the meal only last year as a CHIC fundraiser. \u201cWe had so much fun last year, we thought we would do it again this year,\u201d says Linda Peterson, who is coordinating the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround these parts, lutefisk isn\u2019t so strange.\u201d Peterson says.<\/p>\n

Jean Tobisch, who overseas the preparation of the accompanying lefse, boasts, \u201cWe have one of the best lutefisk dinners around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the fish\u2019s reputation, the women contend that many people haven\u2019t had it prepared the right way.<\/p>\n

Lutefisk is made from whitefish \u2013 normally cod \u2013 that is air-dried and then soaked in lye through various stages over roughly two weeks before it is cooked. Bob Manning, who is cooking the fish, previously worked as a chef for several years in Sweden. \u201cHe does an amazing job.\u201d Peterson says.<\/p>\n

The church has fewer than 100 people, which means nearly everyone, including children, get in on the preparations. \u201cWe enlist everyone,\u201d Peterson says. \u201cThat\u2019s the fun of it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

The buffet menu also includes Swedish meatballs, lefse, herring, red potatoes, peas, and dessert, which features the traditional rice pudding. The meatballs and lefse are homemade, notes Jean Tobisch, who is overseeing the baking of the lefse.<\/p>\n

Lefse is like a tortilla made from potatoes rolled flat and then cooked on a griddle. The task will be a two-day process for the members of Bethany Covenant. On Wednesday, they will gather to boil the potatoes and add other ingredients. They will be left overnight to reach room temperature.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, the members will roll out the mixture and return to grill the bread on lefse irons. The irons are used throughout the church to keep from blowing fuses, Tobisch says.<\/p>\n

A craft and bake sale will be held in conjunction with the dinners. For more information, contact the church at 612-869-2500 or visit its website at Bethany Covenant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
Copyright \u00a9 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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RICHFIELD, MN (December 4, 2006) \u2013 (Editor\u2019s note: the following is offered in the hope it will bring both humor and enlightenment to our readers as we approach a very special season for all of our Scandinavian friends.) 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