Recipe: Lutefisk Mac-and-Cheese

Serves 4 or more.

Note: Panko breadcrumbs are larger and lighter than the traditional breadcrumb, which could be substituted. Adapted from a cod recipe in Cook's Illustrated magazine.

• 1 (1.75 lb.) package lutefisk, thawed, cut into 4 pieces

• Salt and ground black pepper

• 1 c. panko breadcrumbs (see Note)

• 2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley, divided

• 1/4 c. mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

• Pinch cayenne

Directions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Coat 9- by 13-­inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray.

Pat fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Lay fish in baking dish.

In separate bowl, mix remaining 1 tablespoon parsley, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and cayenne together. Spread mayonnaise mixture over top and sides of fish. Press crumbs into mayonnaise, making sure they adhere.

Bake until crumbs are golden brown and all but very center of fish has turned from translucent to opaque, about 15 minutes.

Serves 12 to 16.

Note: Panko breadcrumbs are larger and lighter than the traditional breadcrumb, which could be substituted. Adapted from a mac-and-cheese recipe in Cook's Illustrated magazine.

• 1 lb. macaroni

• 5 tbsp. unsalted butter

• 6 tbsp. flour

• 1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

• 8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (2 c.)

• 8 oz. other cheese or combination of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, pecorino and fontina, shredded (2 c.)

• Baked Crunchy Lutefisk (see recipe)

• 1 c. panko breadcrumbs (see Note)

Directions

Bring 4 quarts water to boil. Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until tender. Drain and set aside in colander.

Melt butter in same pot over medium-­high heat. Whisk in flour, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Whisk in cheeses until fully melted. Add macaroni and gently fold in cooked lutefisk that has been separated into bits.