Appetizer · Dinner · Scandinavian ·

Icelandic Arctic Char Tartare with Aquavit Gelée

Name: Icelandic Arctic Char Tartare with Aquavit Gelée
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 300g Arctic Char fillet, skinless, cut into small, even cubes; 1 small shallot, finely chopped; 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped; 1 tbsp capers, rinsed and chopped; Juice of 1/2 lemon; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 100ml Aquavit; 100ml water; 2 tbsp sugar; 1 1/2 tsp gelatin powder; Fresh dill sprigs; Lemon zest, finely grated; Rye crisps or toast

This appetizer combines fresh Arctic Char with the unique taste of Aquavit for an exquisite dish.

4.2(194 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·February 3, 2026

Icelandic Arctic Char Tartare with Aquavit Gelée — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Arctic Char Tartare

Aquavit Gelée

Garnish

Accompaniments

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 258 kcal
Protein: 16.8 g
Carbs: 12.6 g
Fat: 8.8 g
Fiber: 1 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1030 kcal
Protein: 67.1 g
Carbs: 50.3 g
Fat: 35.1 g
Fiber: 4.1 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
300g Arctic Char fillet skinless, cut into small, even cubes	567	62	0	34	0
1 small shallot finely chopped	7	0.2	1.7	0	0.3
1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped	4	0.2	0.4	0.1	0.2
1 tbsp capers rinsed and chopped	3	0.2	0.4	0	0.3
Juice of 1/2 lemon	6	0.1	2.1	0	0.1
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
100ml Aquavit	237	0	0	0	0
100ml water	0	0	0	0	0
2 tbsp sugar	97	0	25	0	0
1 1/2 tsp gelatin powder	7	1.6	0	0	0
Fresh dill sprigs	1	0.1	0.1	0	0
Lemon zest finely grated	1	0	0.6	0	0.2
Rye crisps or toast	100	3	20	1	3

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Tartare

1
Combine Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the Arctic Char cubes, chopped shallot, dill, and capers.
2
Season
Drizzle with lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.
3
Chill
Mix well and let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Making the Aquavit Gelée

1
Dissolve Sugar
In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
2
Add Aquavit & Gelatin
Remove from heat, add Aquavit, and stir in the gelatin until fully dissolved.
Tip: Do not boil the Aquavit mixture or you will lose its flavor.
3
Set the Gelée
Pour into a shallow dish and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
Tip: Use a warm knife to cut the gelée for clean edges.