Poronkäristys

Ingredients

Reindeer

• 600 gfrozen shaved reindeer meat, poronkäristysliha

To cook

• 60 gbutter
• 50 greindeer fat or lard, if you have it
• 1 tspsalt
• 1 tspblack pepper

Liquid

• 200 mlwater, or dark beer
• 1 tspjuniper berries, crushed, optional

To serve

• mashed potato
• lingonberry jam or crushed raw lingonberries
• pickled cucumber
• rye bread

Directions

1. Keep it frozen as you work and shave only what you need. Heat a heavy pan or a cast-iron pot until it is genuinely hot, then add the fat.
2. Add the frozen shavings straight to the hot fat. Do not add liquid or seasoning while the pan is still steaming.
3. Wait until the water has gone and the meat begins to fry and brown in the fat. Stir it as it browns, letting it colour properly.
4. Season only after the water has gone, because salt added early draws yet more moisture out. Pour in the water or beer, cover, and simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Simmer it slowly and let the meat become completely tender. Reindeer is very lean and it toughens if cooked fast, so the slow covered simmer is what softens it.
6. Take the lid off for the last few minutes if it looks too wet. Taste and season, and expect it to want more salt than you think.
7. Serve it over mashed potato with a generous spoonful of lingonberry. Crushed raw lingonberries with a little sugar are better than cooked jam if you can get them. Add pickled cucumber and rye bread alongside.

Technique

• Frozen shaved reindeer is sold in Finnish supermarkets and is exported frozen.
• Elk and venison are prepared the same way and are the usual substitutes.
• It freezes well cooked and reheats gently.

Substitutions

• Venison or elk, shaved from frozen the same way.
• Beef, which is not the same but takes the method.

Variations

• Made with beer rather than water.
• With cream stirred in at the end, which some restaurants do.
• With a smoked reindeer version, which is stronger.

History

Sautéed reindeer with mashed potato and lingonberry, from Sámi herding in Lapland, where reindeer husbandry is a legally protected livelihood.

Frequently asked questions

What is Poronkäristys?

Poronkäristys is a main from Finland: reindeer sautéed in butter, over mash with lingonberries. Sautéed reindeer with mashed potato and lingonberry, from Sámi herding in Lapland, where reindeer husbandry is a legally protected livelihood.

How long does Poronkäristys take to make?

Poronkäristys takes 10 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking. The recipe makes 4 servings. It is rated easy to make.

What can I substitute in Poronkäristys?

Yes, within limits. Venison or elk, shaved from frozen the same way. Beef, which is not the same but takes the method.

What is the most important thing to get right in Poronkäristys?

Add the frozen shavings straight to the hot fat. Do not add liquid or seasoning while the pan is still steaming.