Two Foolproof Swedish Herring Recipes

Easter is approaching and it is time to start thinking about Easter food. Our Swedish Easter 'smorgasbord' would not be complete without at least a couple of herring dishes.

Two days ago, I purchased a large bucket of salt herring fillets. Once soaked, the fillets can be prepared in so many ways. I usually make a lot of pickled herring because it will keep up to two weeks refrigerated.

Swedish recipes call for 'ättiksprit' - a special kind of vinegar. Not the kind you use in salad dressings. It's very important to use distilled white vinegar, acidity 12 percent, to inhibit bacterial growth.

Foolproof Swedish Pickled Herring Recipe

INGREDIENTS
* 8 salt herring fillets
* 100 ml distilled white vinegar (12 %)
* 200 ml sugar
* 300 ml water
* 2 red onions, peeled and sliced
* 1 teaspoon allspice berries, crushed
* 1 bay leaf
* dill sprigs

METHOD
1. Soak the herring fillets in plenty of water overnight.
2. Bring white distilled vinegar, sugar and water to the boil.
3. Remove from stove and cool the liquid.
4. Add red onion, allspice, dill sprigs, and bay leaf.
5. Wipe the herring fillets dry before cutting them into chunks (15 mm or 0.6").
6. Put the herring chunks into a large glass jar.
7. Pour over the cooled liquid.
8. Keep in a cool place for 24 hours before serving.

Enjoy with rye bread and hard boiled eggs.














Next recipe comes from a famous restaurant in Svanberga, Norrtälje, near Stockholm.

Svanberga Herring

INGREDIENTS:
* pickled herring chunks

SAUCE:
* 200 ml mayonnaise
* 100 ml cream
* 50 ml sieved herring pickling liquid
* 5 tbsp Kalle’s Caviar (a mild smoked Swedish caviar from Abba Seafood)
* ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
* 2 tsp sugar
* 20 drops of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
* 2 bunches of fresh dill, chopped
* 15 - 20 cm of leek (approx. 7-8"), finely chopped
* 1 red onion, finely chopped

METHOD
1. Wipe the pickled herring dry between paper towels.
2. Sieve 50 ml of the herring pickling liquid.
3. Mix all the ingredients and chill for 24 hours before serving.

A frequently asked question:
How long would Svanberga Herring keep in the fridge?
Answer: It will last no more than 3-4 days covered in the fridge.