Sort Gryte (Norwegian Black Pot)

Sort gryte, or “black pot," is a Norwegian comfort dish that comes together with the kind of practical efficiency Scandinavians are known for.

Cooked chicken and ham get simmered in a creamy base of mushroom soup and milk with leeks, green peas, and quartered tomatoes. It’s the kind of recipe that clears out the fridge and feeds a crowd without any fuss.

The Madeira wine stirred in at the end is the Norwegian twist that elevates everything. That sweet, fortified richness pulls the chicken, ham, and vegetables together into something that tastes far more refined than a 30-minute stew has any right to be.

Kitchen Tips

• Use leftover roast chicken and ham to make this a true fridge-clearing meal. It’s designed for cooked meat, not raw.
• Cook the leeks before adding them to the pot. Raw leeks won’t soften enough in the short simmer time.
• Stir in the Madeira at the very end so the wine’s fragrance stays bright and doesn’t cook away.