Praetud Räim (Estonian Fried Baltic Herring)
Local name: Praetud räim
In short: Small herring fillets dredged in seasoned rye flour and fried until crisp, served with boiled potatoes, fresh dill and lemon. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Fried Baltic herring, called räim, is everyday food on Estonia's coast and in homes across the country. The small fish are rolled in seasoned flour, often rye or a mix with wheat, and fried in a hot pan until the skin turns crisp. They go onto the plate with boiled potatoes, dill and sometimes a spoonful of sour cream. Fresh herring needs little more than salt and a hot pan, and it cooks in minutes.
Instructions
- Put the potatoes in a pot of cold water with the salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Drain and keep warm.
- Pat the herring fillets very dry with paper towels. Mix the flour, salt and pepper on a plate.
- Heat half of the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Dredge the fillets in the flour and shake off the excess. Fry them skin side down in batches for 2 minutes per side, until crisp and golden and the flesh flakes easily. Add oil between batches as needed.
- Drain on paper towels and serve at once with the potatoes, dill and lemon wedges.
Tips
- Choose very fresh fish with clear eyes and a clean smell. Thaw frozen fillets in the fridge and dry them well so they crisp.
- Small whole fish can be fried too. Remove the heads and guts first, and cut along the belly so they cook evenly.
Questions and answers
Can I use sardines instead of Baltic herring?
Yes. Fresh sardines or small herring are close substitutes. Sardines are a little oilier, but the cooking time is just as short.
Can I reheat fried herring?
It is best eaten straight from the pan. Leftovers keep for 1 day in the fridge and are good cold on rye bread with sliced onion.
What do you serve with fried herring?
Boiled potatoes with dill are the classic partner. Sour cream, pickled cucumbers, a cabbage salad and rye bread are common extras.
How long does it take to make Praetud Räim (Estonian Fried Baltic Herring)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Praetud Räim (Estonian Fried Baltic Herring)?
About 540 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 540 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
