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Gourmet Discovery: 5 Ideas with Herring as the Star Ingredient

Writer's picture: Pesca-shopPesca-shop

Updated: Feb 3


Herring in its own juice is a great product for a variety of dishes.In our store, you'll find the finest herring fillets in their own juice, packaged in 2x700g portions, priced at €13.99.

Here are 5 interesting dish ideas you can prepare with herring for both everyday meals and special occasions:


1.Classic "Herring Under a Fur Coat" Recipe

This dish is one of the most popular in Russian cuisine, especially on festive tables. It is known for its simplicity in preparation and incredible taste.


Ingredients:

  • 2 natural herring fillets

  • 3-4 medium-sized potatoes

  • 2-3 beets

  • 2 carrots

  • 2-3 eggs (optional)

  • 1 onion

  • 200-250 g mayonnaise

  • 1 green, sour apple (optional)

  • Salt, to taste

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the ingredients:

    • Boil the vegetables: potatoes, carrots, and beets. It is better to boil them with the skins on to preserve the taste and texture. After they cool down, peel them.

    • If using eggs, boil them hard (8-10 minutes), cool, and peel.

    • Cut the herring fillets into small cubes.

    • Finely chop the onion. To remove bitterness, pour boiling water over it or marinate it in vinegar (1:1 with water, adding a pinch of sugar).

    • If using an apple, peel it and remove the seeds, then grate it on a coarse grater.

  2. Prepare for assembling:

    • Grate the vegetables (potatoes, carrots, and beets) into separate bowls.

    • If using eggs, separate the whites from the yolks and grate them separately.

  3. Assemble the salad:

    • Choose a flat or deep dish.

    • First layer: Place the grated potatoes, slightly salt it, and cover with a thin layer of mayonnaise.

    • Second layer: Evenly distribute the herring.

    • Third layer: Add the finely chopped onion.

    • Fourth layer: Add the grated carrots, lightly salt it, and cover with mayonnaise.

    • Fifth layer: Add the grated apple (if using).

    • Sixth layer: Add the grated beetroot, then top with the final layer of mayonnaise, spreading it evenly.

  4. Final presentation:

    • Refrigerate the salad for at least 3-4 hours, or preferably overnight, so the layers can absorb the flavors.

    • Before serving, you can garnish the salad with grated egg yolk, herbs, or decorative vegetable slices.

Tips:

  • Use homemade mayonnaise if you want to reduce the amount of additives.

  • To enhance the flavor, you can add a bit of grated garlic to some of the layers.



2.Recipe "Herring with Potatoes and Sour Cream"

This simple and delicious dish is perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer. The combination of tender potatoes, natural herring, and sour cream creates a harmonious flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lightly salted herring fillets

  • 4-5 medium-sized potatoes

  • 1 onion

  • 200-250 g sour cream (20% fat)

  • A small bunch of dill

  • Parsley (optional) – for garnish

  • Salt and pepper – to taste

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the potatoes:

    • Peel the potatoes and boil them until tender in salted water.

    • Check the readiness with a fork: the potatoes should be soft but not falling apart.

    • Cool the potatoes, then cut them into large chunks or slices.

  2. Prepare the herring:

    • Slice the herring fillets into convenient serving pieces.

  3. Prepare the onion:

    • Peel and slice the onion into thin half-rings.

    • To remove bitterness, pour boiling water over the onion for 1-2 minutes, then drain the water.

    • Optionally, you can marinate the onion in a mixture of vinegar, water, and a pinch of sugar (1:1:0.5) for 10-15 minutes.

  4. Assemble the dish:

    • Place the potatoes on a large flat dish or plate.

    • Evenly distribute the pieces of herring on top.

    • Add the onion half-rings.

  5. Dressing:

    • Pour a generous amount of sour cream over the dish.

    • Optionally, add a bit of salt and freshly ground black pepper (taking into account the saltiness of the herring).

  6. Garnish:

    • Finely chop the dill and sprinkle it over the dish.

    • You can also garnish with parsley or add a few slices of fresh cucumber for a refreshing touch.

  7. Serving:

    • Serve the dish immediately after preparation. It pairs perfectly with rye bread or fresh vegetables.

Tips:

  • For a richer flavor, you can mix the sour cream with a spoon of mustard or add a bit of garlic.

  • If you want to enhance the contrast, use red onion instead of regular onion.


3.Recipe "Herring Forshmak"

Forshmak is a popular Jewish dish, a tender and flavorful pâté made from herring. It’s easy to prepare, and the taste always delights guests and family members.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces of natural or lightly salted herring fillets

  • 1 green, sour apple

  • 2 boiled eggs

  • 1 onion

  • 50 g softened butter

  • 1-2 slices of white bread (crumbs)

  • 50 ml milk (for softening the bread)

  • 1-2 tsp lemon juice

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the herring:

    • Cut the herring fillets into small pieces.

  2. Prepare the bread:

    • Remove the crust from the bread, leaving only the crumb.

    • Soak the crumb in milk for 5-10 minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess milk.

  3. Prepare the remaining ingredients:

    • Peel and chop the onion into large pieces.

    • Peel and core the apple, then cut it into wedges.

    • Peel the boiled eggs and cut them into several parts.

  4. Grind the ingredients:

    • In a blender or meat grinder, grind the herring, apple, onion, eggs, and soaked bread until smooth.

    • Add the softened butter and lemon juice. Mix until you get a smooth texture.

  5. Adjust the taste:

    • Taste the forshmak. If necessary, add salt, pepper, or a little more lemon juice for a tangy flavor.

  6. Chill:

    • Transfer the forshmak to a container or a deep dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to intensify.

  7. Serve:

    • Serve the forshmak cold. It pairs wonderfully with dark bread, toast, or crackers.

    • Garnish with herbs, a slice of lemon, or apple slices.

Tips:

  • For a milder flavor, use red onion instead of regular onion.

  • If you prefer a thicker texture, don’t grind the mixture for too long; leave some small pieces.

  • Add a bit of cream or sour cream for a creamier consistency.


4.Recipe "Herring Salad with Beans and Pickled Onions"

This salad is a vibrant combination of tender beans, tangy onions, and salted herring. It’s perfect for both festive occasions and everyday dinners.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces of lightly salted herring fillets

  • 200 g of cooked or canned beans

  • 1 onion

  • 2 potatoes (optional)

  • 1 fresh cucumber (optional)

  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil (olive or sunflower)

  • 1 tbsp vinegar (9% or apple cider)

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Fresh herbs (dill or parsley) for garnish

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the onions:

    • Peel and slice the onion into thin half-rings.

    • In a small bowl, mix vinegar, sugar, and 2-3 tablespoons of water. Place the onion in the marinade and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This will soften its taste and make it more pleasant.

  2. Prepare the beans:

    • If using canned beans, drain and rinse them in cold water.

    • If using raw beans, cook them in salted water until tender (about 1-1.5 hours).

  3. Prepare the potatoes (optional):

    • Peel the potatoes, cook them until soft, and cut them into large cubes. Let them cool.

  4. Prepare the herring:

    • Cut the herring fillets into small pieces.

  5. Prepare the cucumber (optional):

    • If using a fresh cucumber, slice it thinly into half-moons or dice it.

  6. Assemble the salad:

    • In a large bowl, combine the herring, beans, pickled onions (squeezed of excess marinade), potatoes, and cucumber.

    • Drizzle with vegetable oil, add salt and pepper to taste, and gently mix.

  7. Garnish and serve:

    • Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual plates.

    • Garnish with chopped fresh herbs and serve.

Tips:

  • To enhance the flavor, you can add a couple of spoonfuls of pomegranate seeds or slices of pickled cucumbers.

  • To make the salad heartier, add boiled eggs.

  • If you want to experiment with the dressing, mix vegetable oil with a small amount of mustard and lemon juice.



5.Recipe "Herring Roll-Ups with Cream Cheese"

This exquisite appetizer will be the highlight of any festive table. The combination of creamy cheese, salty herring, and tangy additions creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

  • 4 pieces of lightly salted herring fillets

  • 150 g cream cheese (spreadable)

  • 1-2 salted cucumbers

  • A small bunch of fresh dill

  • 1-2 tsp horseradish (optional)

  • 2-3 tsp red or black caviar (for garnish)

  • Lemon (for garnish and to add freshness)

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the herring:

    • If using whole herring, clean it: remove the skin, bones, and slice the fillets into strips about 3-4 cm wide.

    • If the fillets are too salty, soak them in cold water or milk for 30-40 minutes, then dry them.

  2. Prepare the filling:

    • Finely chop the salted cucumber into cubes.

    • Chop the dill.

    • In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with the dill. If you want to add a spicy kick, add horseradish.

  3. Assemble the roll-ups:

    • Spread a thin layer of cream cheese with dill onto each strip of herring.

    • Place a few cubes of cucumber along one edge.

    • Carefully roll the strip of herring into a tight roll.

  4. Garnish the roll-ups:

    • Secure the roll-up with a toothpick or wooden skewer to keep it from unrolling.

    • Top each roll-up with a small amount of red or black caviar.

    • If desired, add a drop of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.

  5. Serve:

    • Arrange the roll-ups on a plate lined with lettuce leaves or sprinkled with fresh herbs.

    • Garnish with lemon slices or sprigs of dill.

Tips:

  • For a variation, use strips of pickled peppers or boiled beets instead of cucumbers.

  • You can substitute the cream cheese with soft cream cheese or a mix of cottage cheese and yogurt for a lighter version.

  • For additional aroma, add a pinch of ground black pepper to the filling.

Enjoy your meal!

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