Kiluvõileib (Estonian Sprat and Egg Open Sandwich)
In short: Buttered dark rye bread topped with egg slices, spiced Baltic sprats, red onion and dill, a classic Estonian open sandwich for parties and snacks. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 375 kcal
Kiluvõileib is one of Estonia's most familiar open sandwiches: dark rye bread, butter, boiled egg and little spiced sprats, finished with onion and dill. The sprats are salty and faintly sweet, the rye is sour and dense, and the egg softens it all. You find these sandwiches at parties, birthdays and cafe counters, and they are simple to assemble. Make them shortly before serving so the bread stays firm.
Instructions
- Butter each slice of rye bread right to the edges.
- Lay 2 or 3 egg slices on each piece of bread, overlapping them slightly.
- Arrange 3 sprats on top of the egg, side by side.
- Finish with a few onion rings and a pinch of dill, and add cucumber slices if you like.
- Serve at once, or cover and chill for up to 1 hour before serving.
Tips
- Spiced sprats are sold in tins or jars in Baltic and Scandinavian shops. Marinated anchovy fillets or small marinated sardines, drained and patted dry, work as a substitute.
- Use fresh, dense rye bread cut thin. Dry or crusty bread cracks when you bite into it.
Questions and answers
What are spiced sprats?
Small Baltic fish preserved in a salty, lightly sweet marinade with spices such as pepper, allspice and bay. They are soft and sold in tins or jars.
Can I make kiluvõileib in advance?
Assemble them up to an hour ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. For longer, prepare the toppings separately and put them together just before serving, since the bread turns soggy.
What do you serve with open sandwiches?
They are party food, so serve them with other sandwiches, rosolje, hard-boiled eggs and a drink such as tea, beer or kvass.
How long does it take to make Kiluvõileib (Estonian Sprat and Egg Open Sandwich)?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kiluvõileib (Estonian Sprat and Egg Open Sandwich)?
About 375 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
