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Fish, European

Poached skrei with melted butter and carrots

Poached skrei with melted butter is a seasonal Norwegian cod dish served with carrots, potatoes, and crispy bacon bits, for 4 people in 40 minutes. It's very easy to make and costs about €5.20 per serving. The key to success is poaching in barely simmering water, never boiling, which keeps the flesh pearly and tender.

Tonight we're treating ourselves to skrei, that in season Norwegian cod, simply poached, with melted butter, carrots, and potatoes.

Poached skrei with melted butter and carrots
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€5.20
Calories per person
630 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring

Skrei is a Norwegian cod that's caught in winter and spring, with firmer, richer flesh than regular cod. Gently poached, it keeps a pearly texture and flakes into large, tender pieces under your fork. The melted butter poured over it adds richness and roundness without covering the fish's delicate flavor.

This is a weeknight dinner that feels special without any real effort, or a Sunday meal when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The crispy bacon bits and soft vegetables bridge the simplicity of poached fish with a craving for something more indulgent. At Mon Chou, we love this kind of recipe that's both comforting and satisfying.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Thick skrei or cod fillets 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 800 g
  • Carrots 500 g
  • Parsley 4 sprigs

Dairy

  • Butter 120 g

Butcher

  • Smoked bacon bits 100 g

Pantry

  • Coarse saltoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Lightly salt the fish fillets and let them rest in the fridge. 20 min

    This light salting draws out moisture and firms up the flesh.

  2. Cook the potatoes and carrots in salted water or steam them. 22 min

    Cut the carrots into thick rounds so they stay firm.

  3. Dry fry the bacon bits until crispy, then crumble them. 8 min

    Keep them warm on paper towels.

  4. Bring salted water to a gentle simmer, add the fillets, then turn off the heat and let them poach. 10 min

    Water that barely simmers keeps the flesh silky.

  5. Melt the butter slowly without letting it brown.

    Skim off the white foam, the butter turns clear and glossy.

  6. Plate the fish with the vegetables, drizzle with melted butter, and scatter with bacon bits and parsley.

    Serve right away, skrei is best warm and pearly.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick skrei fillets that are thick and evenly sized, they'll cook at the same rate and stay moist in the center.
  • Never let the poaching water come to a full boil, or the fish will turn dry and flake apart, make sure it's just barely simmering before you add the fillets.
  • Cook the carrots and potatoes ahead of time if you need to, they reheat beautifully with a few minutes of steaming right before plating.

The variations

  • Swap the skrei for regular cod or pollock, the rest of the recipe stays the same.
  • For a bacon free version, use sauteed button mushrooms instead, they keep that crispy, savory bite.
  • For kids, cut the fish into smaller pieces and serve the melted butter on the side so they can add as much or as little as they like.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry white wine
  • Crusty bread for the butter
  • A lemony green salad

Storage

Poached skrei keeps for 1 day in the fridge in a sealed container, the flesh dries out quickly after that. It doesn't freeze well once cooked. Reheat it gently over steam or in a water bath so it doesn't toughen up.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different fish instead of skrei?

Yes, regular cod or pollock work very well with this poaching method. Always pick thick fillets so the flesh stays tender.

Why salt the fish before cooking it?

This dry salting draws out a little moisture and firms up the flesh before poaching. The fish keeps a pearly texture instead of flaking apart in the water.

How do you know when the skrei is done?

Let it poach for about 10 minutes in barely simmering water after turning off the heat. The flesh should flake easily into large pieces when you check with a knife tip.

Can you prep the vegetables ahead of time?

Yes, the carrots and potatoes can be cooked a few hours in advance. Just steam them briefly to reheat right before plating.

How long does it take to make a poached skrei with melted butter, carrots, and potatoes?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a poached skrei with melted butter, carrots, and potatoes?

About 630 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a poached skrei with melted butter, carrots, and potatoes cost?

About €5.20 per serving, or €20.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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