Scandinavian > Pickled Fish > Herring

Blå Gotland Pickled Herring Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound fresh herring fillets
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 small carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 small beet, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Special equipment needed:
- Glass jar with lid
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Saucepan

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Rinse the herring fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the fillets into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

2. In a saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, salt, whole black peppercorns, whole allspice berries, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar and salt have dissolved.

3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

4. In a glass jar, layer the herring pieces, sliced red onion, sliced carrot, and sliced beet. Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the ingredients, making sure they are fully covered.

5. Add the chopped dill to the jar and seal with a lid.

6. Place the jar in the refrigerator and let it marinate for at least 24 hours before serving.


Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Marinating time: 24 hours
Temperature:
Refrigerate at all times.
Serving size:
4-6 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories: 180
Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 17g
Sodium: 780mg

Substitutions for ingredients:
- White vinegar can be substituted with apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Sugar can be substituted with honey or maple syrup.
- Red onion can be substituted with shallots or scallions.
- Carrot can be substituted with celery or fennel.
- Beet can be omitted or substituted with radish.

Variations:
- Add sliced garlic or ginger for extra flavor.
- Use different herbs such as parsley or tarragon.
- Substitute the herring with other fish such as mackerel or salmon.

Tips and tricks:
- Use fresh herring fillets for the best results.
- Make sure the vinegar mixture is fully cooled before pouring it over the ingredients.
- Let the pickled herring marinate for at least 24 hours for maximum flavor.

Storage instructions:
Store the pickled herring in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Reheating instructions:
Serve the pickled herring cold.

Presentation ideas:
Serve the pickled herring on a platter with crackers or bread.

Garnishes:
Garnish with fresh dill or sliced lemon.

Pairings:
Pair with a cold beer or aquavit.

Suggested side dishes:
Serve with boiled potatoes or a green salad.

Troubleshooting advice:
If the pickled herring is too salty, rinse it under cold water before serving.

Food safety advice:
Make sure the herring is fully covered by the vinegar mixture to prevent spoilage.

Food history:
Pickled herring is a traditional dish in Scandinavian cuisine, especially in Sweden and Norway.

Flavor profiles:
The pickled herring has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor with hints of spices.

Serving suggestions:
Serve as an appetizer or as part of a smorgasbord.

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Region: Swedish

Taste: Salty, Tangy, Sour, Fishy, Briny