Fortunately I’m not, because this is one bet I would have lost. I should know by now not to assume what the kids will or will not eat. It’s not like they haven’t surprised me before, but this time I thought I would surely have been right.
Aerial of Greenland from my best friend Sue’s flight to Europe.
You see this was one meal that kept popping up on our search for Greenlandic recipes, and it’s one I was not terribly thrilled about making. In fact, I think we were all kind of dreading this one. Now you would think that would be enough to find a different recipe, but we were determined to give it a shot. After all you never know, and that’s what this whole experience is about for us – learning new things.
Aerial of Greenland, shot by Sue.
So we finally set to making the recipe for Halibut Cream Casserole. (I think it was the word casserole that had me dreading this meal. While I’ve had plenty of good casseroles over the years, I still associate the word with the many bad ones I’ve eaten.) The kids were also complaining about the meal before we even started as they’re not big fans of stews, but on we went. We started with the halibut, which we were fortunate enough to find this time – and on the first try too! 
We diced it up and Miss A took care of squeezing the lemon juice over the top before setting it aside (Yes, that’s a green hair extension for St. Patty’s Day!). 
Then we gathered our vegetables which included celeriac, carrots, leek and red onion. 
We chopped up the veggies and tossed them in a stock pot with melted butter to cook for three to five minutes. 
While the veggies cooked we gathered the rest of the ingredients including fish stock, white wine and two eggs. 
We added the stock, wine and diced halibut to the pot and let it cook for another 10 minutes. Next we mixed two egg yolks with some heavy cream and added it to the stew. 
We then seasoned it with salt, pepper and nutmeg and let it cook over a low heat for five final minutes. 
We served our halibut cream casserole with a sprinkle of bacon, a side salad and a few slices of pizza for the kids; the deal being you try the soup and if you don’t like it you can have your leftover slices of pizza. 
Now I will say that the stew actually smelled pretty good, so I did become a bit more optimistic. However after a few bites, I was less than impressed. The halibut tasted good, which is nice to know. I’d probably like this recipe better with halibut for sure. I didn’t really care for the preparation this time around though. In fact, I was done after a few bites. Sadly, this was the rare 1 spooner for me. 
Mike wasn’t as turned-off by this meal as I was, he said it wasn’t bad. He ate his whole serving and said he’d probably give it 2 spoons. 
Now here’s where I would have lost the bet. Mr. N was the first to try his stew. Mostly I think he wanted to get it over with and get on with his pizza. Much to my surprise, however, he ate his first bite and kept on going! And going. He finished off his entire bowl of halibut casserole and then asked if he could have mine. I’m certain my mouth was gaping open as I turned to watch Miss A, and she too was eating spoon after spoon of the stew. The only thing the kids didn’t really care for was the celeriac, otherwise, everything else was devoured. 
I asked the kids how many spoons they wanted to give the dish and Miss A immediately said, “Six.” Mr. N said with the celeriac 3 spoons, without it, definitely 4 spoons. I think I’m still in shock. Not only did they eat all of their soup, they never even asked about their pizza (which is fortunate because I ate them). Who knew. I certainly never would have guessed that my kids would pass up pizza for a fish stew. Never. Like I said, I would have lost this bet big time. Now we do have one more Greenlandic recipe to try before moving on, so I’m hopeful this one will be more up my alley. It’s going to take some experimenting first, so wish us luck and we’ll see you later this week!
Print this recipe: Greenlandic Halibut Cream Casserole
Eat, Play, Love 
It’s true – you can never tell with kids! My boy will eat pretty much anything – but wouldn’t eat pizza the other night. I’m constantly amazed!
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Your kids are RADICAL! awesome. i actually like the fish stew too! you are all so cool.. c
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Thanks Celi! I don’t know about Mike and I, but the kids definitely are. 😉
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Bummer you guys only gave the dish a couple spoons, but it sure looks beautiful! I become more and more impressed with Miss A and Mr. N’s taste buds…when my brothers and I were young we would only eat mac and cheese and chicken tenders. It got to a point where my mom said none of us were allowed to order chicken tenders at a restaurant. Needless to say, we didn’t really know what to do, ha!
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LOL! I remember my mom saying the same thing to me at some point.
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looks delish! : )
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Thanks! 🙂
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–This looks INCREDIBLE.
Can I come over? 🙂 Xxx
—Pleeeease.
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Thank you. Our door is always open. 🙂
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a fish casserole! Okay – i am with you- if I were to bet my hubby (although obsessed with seafood) would not be so into this dish but like Mr. N maybe I have a chance!
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You just never know. 😉
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Thats a really lovely fish stew pair that with a pizza that would be heaven to me.
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The pizza was for me. 😉
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I am just amazed–as you said, of course, you were, too! I must admit that although your pictures look wonderful, just the sound of a fish stew doesn’t appeal to me very much, although, judging by the reaction of your household, I would definitely be impressed to give it a try! Debra
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I’m still shocked Debra. I mean I really didn’t think this was going to be a successful meal (particularly when it came to the kids). You just never know. 😉
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Okay, this one just cracked me up. The kids preferred the fish and you guys wanted the pizza. Love! And besides the lovely green for St. Patty’s, did Miss A get a new do?? Super cute!
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She did! She got an inch or two cut off the ends. I’m amazed at how much it changed her face. 🙂
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Will wonders never cease? Fish stew > pizza? I wouldn’t have guessed that, either. But it made for a fantastic story (and an entertaining dinner-time, I’m sure)!
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Definitely an entertaining dinner B! 🙂
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Wow, fish stew over pizza! Never would happen in my home! My dad makes an amazing fish stew, I’ll have to get his recipe since he makes it for Fish Friday during Lent. He also makes a fish pizza so my kids choose the pizza over the stew knowing they can pick the fish off! lol
You have some pretty adventerous kids in the kitchen so kudos to you!
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LOL! You’ve got some smart kids. I would do the same thing…fish pizza and pick the fish off. 😉
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I’m with you. In a million years I would not have guessed any kid (or adult) would choose a halibut casserole over pizza! CRAZY! Too bad it wasn’t a success for you and Mike, but at least the kids gobbled it up. Yay for that!
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Any meal that the kids gobble up is a win for me too. 😉
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Miss A and Mr. N appear to be the true gourmands in this family. LOL. Thank goodness they left the pizza for you Kristy…I think it is too funny. You just never know what children will do in all things in life. Just when you think you have them figured out they do the opposite.
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LOL – I agree! I think they are the real foodies. 😉
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I never would have guessed the outcome of this, especially with the tentative expression of Miss A squeezing the lemon juice. Regardless, the dish sounds interesting and adventurous!
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It was definitely interesting and adventurous. 🙂
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This will probably not be the last time they shock the heck out of you girl lol. The shocked me, because when I first heard you say the name of the dish I was a bit turned off as well. I never heard of halibut in a casserole.. ever. But you tried it and discovered something about your kids palate 🙂
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I had never heard of halibut in a casserole either. Interesting one huh! And I have no doubt the kids will continue to shock me! 😉
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That happens to me too. I can never guess or predict what the kids will think of a meal.
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It’s amazing isn’t it? Just when you think you’ve figured them out… 🙂
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That’s very impressive, Kristy, and it’s all due to the variety and imaginative foods that you regularly serve. I’m with you on this one, not a huge fan of casserole, particularly fish. Good for you for persevering…
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LOL…persevering is about it. I kept procrastinating dinner that day! LOL.
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I’ve got to comment the same…soup over pizza? interesting!! But you know other than the celeric, the recipe actually sounds good to me. I’ve had fish in a creamy based sauce; tho I know “casserole” just ruins the vision! I’ve tried to rename recipes whenever I see casserole just so that my guests feel like they are getting something gourmet!!
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Now there’s an idea! I think the word casserole should be used as little as possible. 😉
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Who knew?! I love that. Kids are full of surprises.
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They sure are! 🙂
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Um, hello. Miss A does not have her game face on. She demands a reshoot. Ha. So true about what kids will and won’t eat.
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Stars…they’re just like us. 😉
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What a delicious looking stew and I just love the aerial shot of Greenland. It must be such an amazing place to visit. Great ingredients in that dish and I love your crockery xx
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I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to visit. Hopefully one day I’ll have the chance. 🙂
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Fish stew instead of pizza for a child’s choice? That’s… impressive. I guess the flavours must have really appealed to them 😀 Which worked out rather well for you since you were then able to get something to eat yourself too! 😀
It’s too bad you didn’t enjoy it – it’s got all the things I know I like inside so I can’t imagine I’d dislike it terribly. Didn’t you tell me once you’ve never cooked with leek?? Was this your first try or did I miss the big event some time ago?
Also – I find that leek adorable 😀 It’s so cute and stumpy 😀 The ones we get over here have much longer “white” parts – maybe it’s a different variety of leek or something
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Good memory Charles! We hadn’t used leek before, but this wasn’t the first time. I think we first tried it in a risotto last summer. It is a fun little veggie. 🙂 And you’re right it is kind of cute. 🙂
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Never say never I guess – amazing that the kids liked this Kristy. Wonder when they will ask to have it again.
🙂 Mandy
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You know that got me to thinking – they rarely ask for foods again. (Well except cookies or desserts.) I think they enjoy the variety we have around here. Huh. I’m going to have to pay more attention to this.
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I have had this happen many times before – you really just never know what they are going to like. I have stopped trying to guess, and I just make things, sometimes you win, and sometimes you loose – it is the great adventure of having kids!! I love it!!
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That is the adventure of kids and you never really know when you’re going to win or lose! 😉
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Interesting. The recipe actually sounds nice to me, though I’m on the same page as Mr N and Miss A on the celeriac. I can imagine it being really delish (though potentially less healthy) with some other root vegetable.
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That was my thought too – perhaps even potatoes. 🙂
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Yes! Potatoes was exactly what I had in mind.
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🙂
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I see your previous commenter noticed the Cupcake again – so did I! Love Sauvignon Blanc – one of my favs is called Los Vascos. Anyway, I love your square plates and bowls and your photo is great. I’m not sure I”d love this stew either….lovely piece of Halibut however.
Casseroles…I don’t make ’em. In fact this will be long but I have a funny story about my youngest daughter when she was about 7 or 8 and staying with a friend for the night. As dinner time rolled around the girls were hanging in the kitchen and the mom asked if they were hungry. “yes, what are you making”, asked my daughter. My friend said, “tuna casserole”. Miss T, “I don’t think I like tuna casserole…” Mom, “you like tuna?”…”yes”, “you like noodles and cheese?”, “yes”, “you like potato chips?”, “yes”…the mom, “well you’ll like it then”. Miss T ” I don’t think I like casserole!”. End of story – basically my kids didn’t eat casseroles since I don’t make ’em and she had no idea what strange ingredient that was. We’ve laughed about that for years now.
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LOL! That is hilarious and about sums up how I feel about casseroles too. And I’m going to have to give the Los Vascos a try!
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I went halibut fishing with my boyfriend’s family up in Alaska a couple summers ago. It was SUPER fun and they are CRAZY looking sideways fish. They’re also VERY tasty. I’ll be keeping this recipe in my pocket the next time we see a nice sale on halibut.
Also, question…when you cook with white wine I see you tend to use the Cupcake wine. Is there a specific reason for that? Is that your personal recommendation? Why do you like using that wine best?
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Now that sounds like a ton of fun!!! I’d love to go to Alaska someday. Good catch on the Cupcake wine. I have used it in the past few recipes. Mostly I just try and cook with wine that I’d actually drink. Mike and I are far more of red wine drinkers. We really only buy white wines from wineries where we’ve done a tasting and enjoyed it, and I’m not about to use those for cooking. 😉 So we just try and experiment with different whites that we find at the grocery or liquor store. I do tend to lean toward Sauvignon Blancs for cooking though since I know I prefer those to other whites. 🙂
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I would have had my doubts about this recipe, too, Kristy. It’s just not my style of cooking with fish. Even so, your Sous Chefs are amazing! They’ll be at home in any restaurant, no matter the cuisine. That’s quite a gift you’ve given them.
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They are amazing aren’t they? I’m still in shock over this one. 😉
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Goodness, fish stew over pizza? What’s this world coming to?!! ;-). Okay, you’re freaking me out with your food styling… look at that salad surrounding the stew… the pressure’s on… ;-). But here comes the big question: did Miss A get a haircut? (or did she grow up a few years overnight…something has changed). Love the aerial photo – gorgeous.
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Nice catch Kelly! She did get a hair cut. 🙂 Both she and Mr. N did and they’re just killing me with how much older they look all of a sudden. I think Miss A has grown a bit too. I’m going to have to measure her to be sure, but she’s looking a bit taller to me lately. Working on that food styling…it’s an on-going process. 😉
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Just wait till they’re taller than you! (my 11-year-old is about a 1/4 inch away from passing me). Oh dear… 😉
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