I have received a request from someone who wants to know how to cook whale. The recipes are presented here for the curiosity value, as whale is only available in a few countries. I haven't tasted whale since I was in my teens, and I don't expect many of my readers will ever get the chance to try it. The recipes are therefore untested by me. Beef or a good, tender piece of horse-steak can be substituted for whale, in which case you can leave out the beating.



Recipe nr 1:

3/4 to 1 kilo whale meat (or beef/horse)

50 g butter, tallow or lard

2-3 onions

Salt and pepper

Laurel leaf (optional)

600-700 ml water

Sauce colouring (caramel)

50 g flour

200 ml milk



Clean the meat: some say it's enough to slice off about a centimetre off each side of the piece, others recommend soaking in milk overnight. This is only to ensure there will be no oily taste to the meat, but if it has been properly handled in the first place, it will not taste oily. Cut into steaks and beat with a meat mallet.

Slice t…