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Pickled Herring Salad

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20 min
Prep
0 min
Cook

Ingredients

  • 300 g (10.5 oz) pickled herring fillets, drained and chopped
  • 2 boiled potatoes, diced
  • 1 boiled beetroot, diced
  • 1 apple, diced
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 small pickled onion or shallot, finely chopped
  • 120 g (1/2 cup) sour cream
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

  1. In a large bowl, combine the chopped herring, potatoes, beetroot, apple, eggs and pickled onion.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard and half the dill.
  3. Pour the dressing over the herring mixture and fold gently to combine, taking care not to mash the ingredients.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with the remaining dill, and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Introduction: Herring has been central to Icelandic and wider Nordic diets for centuries, both as an export and a household staple, often preserved through pickling to last through winter.

Cultural Background: Herring has been central to Icelandic and wider Nordic diets for centuries, both as an export and a household staple, often preserved through pickling to last through winter. Síldarsalat, a creamy composed salad of herring, egg and vegetables, is a familiar sight at festive buffets and everyday lunches alike.

Tips: Chilling the salad for a few hours allows the flavours to fully combine. Keep the beetroot separate until just before mixing if you prefer less pink staining throughout.

Variations: Add a spoonful of grated horseradish for extra bite. Include diced pickled cucumber for additional crunch.

Storage: Refrigerate up to 2 days in an airtight container.

Reheating: Not applicable — served cold.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use fresh herring instead of pickled?

A: No, the pickling is essential to the dish's characteristic tang and texture.

Q: Is this the same as Scandinavian sillsallad?

A: It is closely related, part of the same broader Nordic herring salad tradition.

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