RECIPE:
Bidus

Sami reindeer stew

Reindeer meat, carrots, and potatoes are the main ingredients of this slow-cooked stew, which is often served with a side of sweet bread with raisins.

“Bidus is one of the traditional dishes of the Sami people, served at confirmations, weddings, and other festive occasions.”

Ann-Kristine Bongo

Restaurant Sami Siida in Alta

“The dish is based on a fairly simple recipe, but bidus never turns out the same. It depends on the person making it and the day it is made.”

Ann-Kristine Bongo

Restaurant Sami Siida in Alta

Bidus

Ingredients:

(Makes 4 servings)

500 g sliced reindeer meat

1.3 litres of water

3 tsp salt

1 onion

3 carrots

3 large potatoes

Browning:

1 tbsp margarine

1 tbsp flour

Thickening:

2 dl cold water

3 tbsp flour

Method

1. Boil the meat and salt. Add the chopped onions, browning, and thickening mixtures. Simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Add sliced carrots and cook for 15 minutes.

3. Add diced potatoes and continue cooking for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Tips: Adjust the consistency with the thickening mixture. Add caramel colouring to give the stew a nice colour. Leeks and 2 tsp of brown sugar can be added for flavour. A little dried reindeer fat or dried meat adds an exotic taste. Serve with sweet bread.

Enjoy!

Reindeer spend their whole lives roaming freely in the wild.

They have always been a key part of Sami culture and Sami cuisine. A lot of Sami people still herd reindeer, like Nils Henrik Sara at Sami Siida, just outside Alta.

You may get to taste delicious, homemade bidus when visiting a Siida in Northern Norway.

It´s truly special to sit by the fire in a lavvo and listen to stories about this unique lifestyle.