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Herring with potatoes
Selyodka s kartoshkoi (селёдка с картошкой): salted herring with hot boiled potatoes, onion, dill and sunflower oil
This is the simplest and best-loved Russian zakuska, on every table from a Moscow kitchen to a Siberian railway compartment: fillets of salted herring with steaming boiled potatoes, rings of raw onion, dill and a drizzle of unrefined sunflower oil that smells of toasted seeds. The contrast of cold, silky fish and hot, floury potato is the whole point, and black bread goes alongside. Salted herring is cured but not cooked, so buy ready-salted fillets from a good fishmonger or deli (made from previously frozen fish), keep them in the fridge, and note that it is not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system. A common mistake is serving the herring straight from very salty brine; taste it and soak it in milk or cold water first if needed. Chef's tip: use unrefined sunflower oil, its nutty smell is what makes the dish.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ lb starchy potatoespeeled, halved
- 1 tsp salt for the water
- 1 red or white onionsliced into thin rings
- 1 tbsp cider vinegar
- 4 tbsp unrefined sunflower oil
- ½ oz fresh dillchopped
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put the 1 ¾ lb starchy potatoes in a pan of cold water with the 1 tsp salt for the water, bring to a boil and simmer for 18–20 minutes, until a knife slides in easily.
20 minStep 2: Meanwhile toss the 1 red or white onion rings with the 1 tbsp cider vinegar and leave for 10 minutes to soften their bite.
10 minStep 3: Pat the 10 ½ oz ready-salted herring fillets (bought chilled) dry, remove any stray bones and cut it into 2 cm pieces. Taste one; if very salty, soak in cold water for 10 minutes and pat dry. Keep it in the fridge until serving.
5 minStep 4: Drain the potatoes and toss them with half the 2 tbsp unrefined sunflower oil and half the ¼ oz fresh dill while still steaming.
2 minStep 5: Lay the herring on a cold plate, top with the drained onion, drizzle with the rest of the 2 tbsp unrefined sunflower oil and scatter over the remaining ¼ oz fresh dill. Serve at once with the hot potatoes (and black bread if gluten is not a concern). Not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system; return leftovers to the fridge straight away.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 390 kcal
- Protein
- 17 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does herring with potatoes take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of starchy potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of red or white onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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