Herring with onions in mustard dressing is a classic Scandinavian dish that packs a punch. You'll enjoy the rich flavors of herring combined with a tangy, creamy mustard sauce, perfect for festive gatherings or casual meals. The crunch of onions adds texture, while the marination enhances each bite's taste. Serve it chilled with crusty bread for a delightful appetizer. Want to know more about its history and how to make it? Just keep going!
History
Herring has been a cornerstone of Swedish cuisine since the 19th century, particularly highlighted in historical cookbooks like Anna-Maria Zetterstrand's 1863 edition that featured a recipe for herring boiled in vinegar with mustard sauce.
As you explore its history, you'll notice that the early 20th century saw a surge in the popularity of herring in mustard sauce, especially with the rise of the smörgåsbord. Advertisements for mustard herring began appearing as early as 1902.
By the late 1930s, cooks started incorporating mustard into the pickling brine, reflecting a shift towards bolder flavors.
Today, this dish is beloved for its balance of ingredients and regional variations, often gracing tables during festive occasions like Midsummer, showcasing its rich cultural significance.
Recipe
Herring with onions in mustard dressing is a delightful dish that perfectly combines the rich flavors of herring with the tangy and sweet notes of mustard sauce. This dish is particularly popular in Scandinavian cuisine and is often served as part of a festive smörgåsbord. The balance of the creamy dressing with the crunch of onions creates a refreshing and satisfying experience for the palate.
To make this dish, it's essential to start with high-quality herring fillets. The preparation involves soaking the onions to mellow their sharpness, allowing them to blend harmoniously with the other ingredients. The mustard dressing, made from a blend of different mustards and other flavorful elements, brings everything together. Allowing the dish to marinate enhances the flavors, making it an excellent choice for entertaining or enjoying as a simple meal.
Ingredients:
- Herring fillets
- Yellow onion
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Grainy mustard
- Dijon mustard
- Vinegar
- Honey
- Spices (e.g., salt, pepper)
To prepare the dish, start by soaking the sliced yellow onion in boiling water for about 5 minutes to soften their flavor, then drain and let cool. In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, grainy mustard, Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey, and spices, adjusting to taste.
Add the cooled onions and the herring fillets to the bowl, gently mixing until everything is well-coated. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled on crispbread or alongside boiled potatoes.
For best results, choose fresh herring fillets and adjust the mustard dressing according to your preference for sweetness and acidity. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can soak the onions longer in the boiling water or rinse them with cold water after soaking.
This dish can also be garnished with fresh herbs like dill or parsley for added flavor and presentation. Enjoy this classic dish as part of a festive meal or a casual gathering with friends and family.
Cooking Steps
To get started on your herring dish, prepare the herring fillets by cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
Next, marinate them in the flavorful mustard sauce before adding the softened onions for a delicious blend.
Once everything's combined, chill the mixture to let the flavors meld beautifully before serving with fresh dill.
Step 1. Prepare Herring Fillets First
Start by rinsing the herring fillets in cold water to wash away excess salt and enhance their tenderness.
Once rinsed, cut the fillets into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing later.
Next, slice half an onion thinly, ensuring that the pieces are even for better flavor distribution in the dish.
To elevate the onion's taste, soak the slices in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain and let them cool.
While the onion cools, carefully wipe off any excess oil from the herring fillets to keep the dish from becoming too greasy in the mustard sauce.
Finally, combine the prepared herring pieces and cooled onion in a bowl, setting the stage for marinating with the mustard sauce.
Step 2. Marinate in Mustard Sauce
With the herring and onions prepped, it's time to whip up the mustard sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, grainy mustard, turmeric, lemon juice, honey, and sour cream. Stir until you achieve a smooth, balanced dressing that complements the herring perfectly.
Next, cut the herring fillets into 2.5-3 cm pieces. Once the onions have soaked in boiling water for five minutes and cooled, mix them with the herring and the mustard sauce. Ensure everything is evenly coated.
Now, refrigerate the mixture for at least a few hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. When ready to serve, enjoy the marinated herring in mustard sauce chilled, perhaps on crispbread or with boiled potatoes.
Step 3. Add Chopped Onions
Slice the peeled onions lengthwise into thin strips to enhance their flavor and texture in your dish.
Next, soak the sliced onions in boiling water for about 5 minutes to soften their sharpness. Once they're cooled, drain the onions in a colander to remove excess water, ensuring they don't dilute the mustard dressing.
Now, combine the drained onions with marinated herring fillets cut into 2.5-3 cm pieces. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a harmonious balance.
The mustard dressing, made with mayonnaise, grainy mustard, and spices, complements the chopped onions and herring perfectly. Stir gently to coat everything evenly, ensuring each bite is a delightful blend of taste and texture.
Step 4. Chill Before Serving
After combining the herring and onions with the mustard dressing, it's time to let the flavors meld.
To enhance the overall taste, chill before serving the mixture. It's best to refrigerate the herring for at least a couple of hours, but ideally overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to develop beautifully.
Make sure to cover the herring to prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge. Chilling also helps firm up the texture, making it more enjoyable to eat.
Once ready, serve the chilled herring on crispbread or alongside boiled potatoes for a delightful pairing with the mustard dressing. Enjoy the delicious result of your patience!
Step 5. Serve With Fresh Dill
Adding fresh dill to your herring dish elevates the flavors and brings a delightful herbal note to the mustard dressing.
To incorporate dill, finely chop a generous amount and gently fold it into the sauce just before serving. This step ensures the dill retains its vibrant color and aromatic qualities.
Not only does dill enhance the overall taste, but it also adds a traditional touch that's often found in Scandinavian herring recipes.
For an added visual appeal and burst of freshness, sprinkle some extra chopped dill as a garnish on the finished dish.
This way, your herring with onions in mustard dressing becomes a true delight for the senses, showcasing both flavor and presentation. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts
While herring in mustard dressing may seem like a simple dish, it embodies a rich history and a delightful blend of flavors that can elevate any meal.
This recipe showcases a perfect balance between the sharpness of grainy mustard and the creaminess of sour cream, allowing you to customize the sauce to suit your palate.
As you explore this classic dish, remember its evolution within Swedish culinary traditions, especially on the smörgåsbord.
Refrigerating the herring mixture before serving enhances the flavors, making each bite even more enjoyable.
Whether you serve it with boiled potatoes or crispbread, this dish is versatile and perfect for festive occasions.
Embrace its heritage and savor the unique taste of herring in mustard dressing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do With Herring in Mustard Sauce?
Did you know that herring is one of the most consumed fish in the world, with over 1.5 million tons eaten annually?
When you've got herring in mustard sauce, you can enjoy it in various ways.
Spread it on crispbread or rye bread for a quick snack, pair it with boiled potatoes and sour cream for a light meal, or serve it at gatherings to impress your guests with a traditional touch.
How to Make Herring Taste Better?
To make herring taste better, you can start by soaking it in cold water or milk for about 30 minutes to reduce saltiness.
Next, create a flavorful mustard dressing by mixing grainy and Dijon mustard with sour cream, mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice.
Marinate the herring in this dressing for several hours or overnight to enhance the flavors.
Finally, serve it alongside boiled potatoes or a light salad for a balanced meal.
What's the Difference Between Pickled Herring and Rollmops?
Pickled herring and rollmops both involve herring preserved in a brine, but there are key differences.
When you think of pickled herring, you imagine fillets cured in a vinegar-based brine, often enjoyed as-is or in various dishes.
Rollmops, however, are rolled fillets filled with ingredients like pickles or onions, secured with a skewer. This unique presentation makes rollmops a fun finger food, while pickled herring offers more versatility in serving options.
How Do Swedes Eat Pickled Herring?
When you enjoy pickled herring in Sweden, you typically find it on a smörgåsbord.
You'll often pair it with boiled potatoes, crispbread, and hard-boiled eggs, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
During festive occasions like Midsummer, it becomes a staple dish that reflects cultural traditions.
The herring's tangy taste complements the other elements, making your meal both satisfying and rich in Swedish heritage.
