Lohikeitto: Creamy Salmon Soup from Finland

kelolalaut.com - Lohikeitto is a traditional Finnish salmon soup that's a popular dish, especially during the colder months. The name "lohikeitto" translates to "salmon soup" in English. It's a creamy and hearty soup made with salmon, root vegetables, and often enriched with cream. Lohikeitto is known for its comforting flavor and is a staple in Finnish cuisine.

Here's a recipe for Finnish Salmon Soup:

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Ingredients:

• 400g (14 oz) salmon fillet, skinless and boneless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 leek, cleaned and thinly sliced (use only the white and light green parts)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 4 cups fish or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 5-6 whole black peppercorns
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish
• Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
2. Add the diced potatoes, carrots, and celery to the pot. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Pour in the fish or vegetable broth. Add the bay leaf and whole black peppercorns. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the vegetables are tender, usually about 10-15 minutes.
4. Once the vegetables are cooked, add the sliced leek to the pot and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the leek is tender.
5. Gently stir in the salmon pieces. Be careful not to over-stir, as you want the salmon to remain in bite-sized pieces. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.
6. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring gently to combine. Allow the soup to heat through without bringing it to a boil to prevent curdling.
7. Season the soup with salt to taste. Remember that the broth and salmon already contain some natural saltiness, so be cautious not to over-salt.
8. Remove the bay leaf from the soup.
9. Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Garnish each bowl with chopped fresh dill.
10. Serve the salmon soup hot with lemon wedges on the side. Squeezing a little lemon juice into the soup just before eating adds a nice tangy flavor.

Lohikeitto is often enjoyed with rye bread and butter on the side. It's a comforting and delicious dish that showcases the flavors of Finnish cuisine.

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