dinner with friends
This is an old family heirloom recipe by my great-grandmother. "Heringssalat" has been a family tradition for New Year's Day brunch for as long as I can remember: served with a glass of bubbly, while watching the annual New Year's Concert broadcast from the Vienna Philharmonic on New Year's morning ...
I have since expended the seasonal window and actually love to make herring salad for summer picnics- a quick dish that can be made well ahead and is best served at room temperature.
the ingredients.
✳ 1 matjes herring per person (soused herring, a raw herring in mild brine)
✳ tart apple
✳ pickled beets
✳ cornichons
✳ shallot
✳ roast pork, sliced (or chicken/turkey breast)
✳ lingonberry preserve
✳ crème fraîche
✳ salt & pepper
✳ dijon mustard
✳ bay leaf, allspice, pimento
The herring should definitely be the predominant ingredient, so use all other ingredients in proportion.
Put crème fraîche and lingonberry preserve into large mixing bowl.
Chop the apple, beet, cornichons, shallot and cold cuts and add to the bowl.
Add djion mustard, salt & fresh ground pepper to taste and mix well.
Add bay leaf, allspice and pimento, cover the bowl (or fill into sealable jars) and let marinate in the refrigerator overnight - or better yet for a day or two ...
I made Heringssalat for Frank's birthday picnic in Marshall this summer, convinced the herring and beets would be too exotic for some and therefore planning on leftovers ... but it turned out to be the most popular dish :)
