Icelandic Fish Creamy Stew (Print)

Creamy fish and potato stew with fresh herbs, rich milk and cream, ideal for a warm comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Dairy

01 - 1 lb cod or haddock fillets, skinless and boneless
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp heavy cream

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 lb potatoes, peeled and diced
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp ground white pepper
12 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place diced potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, bring to a boil, and cook 12–15 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
02 - Simmer fish fillets in a saucepan with enough water to cover, adding bay leaf and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for 6–8 minutes until opaque and flaky. Remove fish, reserve ⅓ cup of poaching liquid, and discard bay leaf.
03 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
04 - Add cooked potatoes to the pot and gently mash them, leaving some chunks for texture.
05 - Flake the poached fish into large pieces and add to the pot with reserved poaching liquid, stirring gently to combine.
06 - Pour in whole milk and heavy cream, cook over low heat, stirring frequently until heated through and creamy without boiling.
07 - Season with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg if using. Stir in half the parsley and chives, reserving the rest for garnish. Serve hot sprinkled with remaining herbs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour, which means you're not standing at the stove all evening.
  • The combination of tender fish and soft potatoes in a silky, herb-dotted cream is genuinely hard to stop eating.
  • It's forgiving—nothing burns, nothing requires perfect timing, and it tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip the reserved poaching liquid—it carries the fish flavor into every spoonful and keeps things from feeling one-dimensional.
  • If your cream breaks and the stew looks grainy, it means it got too hot; you can rescue it by blending it smooth, but prevention is easier than repair.
03 -
  • Smoked fish adds a layer of complexity and depth that transforms this from comfort food into something with real character.
  • If the stew seems thin, you can whisk together a tablespoon of butter and flour into a paste, stir it in, and let it simmer for a minute—this thickens it without making it feel forced.
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