Silesian-style Pickled Herring

Ingredients

In this Silesian adaptation, we incorporate Silesian flavors and spices to give the pickled herring a unique twist. The traditional Swedish recipe is enhanced with Silesian spices such as caraway seeds and allspice, which add depth and complexity to the dish. Additionally, we use a slightly different pickling liquid, combining vinegar, sugar, and a touch of mustard for a tangy and subtly sweet flavor that is characteristic of Silesian cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Glasmästarsill, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) herring fillets, deboned 500g (1.1 lb) herring fillets, deboned
• 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
• 1 cup (200g) sugar 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon mustard 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 teaspoon allspice berries 1 teaspoon allspice berries
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• Fresh dill, for garnish Fresh dill, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 28g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a saucepan, combine the white vinegar, sugar, mustard, caraway seeds, and allspice berries. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let the pickling liquid cool.
2. 2.
   Cut the herring fillets into bite-sized pieces and place them in a glass or ceramic dish. Add the sliced onion on top.
3. 3.
   Pour the cooled pickling liquid over the herring and onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
4. 4.
   Serve the Silesian-style pickled herring chilled, garnished with fresh dill. Enjoy with crusty bread or boiled potatoes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Herring — Ensure that the herring fillets are fresh and deboned before using them in the recipe. If fresh herring is not available, you can use pickled herring and skip the pickling process.
• Caraway seeds — Toasting the caraway seeds in a dry pan before adding them to the pickling liquid will enhance their flavor.
• Allspice berries — Crush the allspice berries slightly to release their aromatic oils before adding them to the pickling liquid.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid.
• Allow the pickled herring to marinate for at least 48 hours for a more intense flavor.
• Serve the pickled herring on rye bread for an authentic Silesian experience.
• Experiment with different types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, to vary the flavor profile.
• If you prefer a sweeter taste, increase the amount of sugar in the pickling liquid.

Serving advice

Serve the Silesian-style pickled herring as an appetizer or a light main course. Accompany it with slices of crusty bread or boiled potatoes. Garnish with fresh dill for an added burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the pickled herring fillets on a platter, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Place a sprig of fresh dill on top of each fillet for an elegant touch. Serve the dish chilled to enhance its visual appeal.