Selyodka pod Shuboy (Herring Under a Fur Coat)
Local name: Сельдь под шубой
In short: A layered Russian salad of salted herring, onion, potatoes, carrots, eggs and grated beets, each coated in mayonnaise and chilled overnight. It takes about 1 h 45 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Selyodka pod shuboy, or herring under a fur coat, is the layered salad that sits beside Olivier on a Russian New Year table. Salted herring and onion form the base, then grated potatoes, carrots and eggs are stacked on top, and a thick blanket of grated beets and mayonnaise forms the coat. It needs a night in the fridge so the layers set and the herring flavors the vegetables. Serve it in wedges, with boiled potatoes if you like.
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes, carrots and beets separately in their skins until tender: 20 to 25 minutes for the potatoes and carrots, 45 to 60 minutes for the beets. Cool completely, then peel.
- Boil the eggs for 10 minutes, cool them in cold water and peel.
- Coarsely grate the potatoes, carrots, beets and eggs, keeping each on its own plate. Press the grated beets lightly to remove excess juice.
- Spread the herring and onion in an even layer in a 20 cm (8 inch) deep serving dish.
- Layer on the potatoes, carrots and eggs in that order, spreading a thin coat of mayonnaise over each layer and adding a tiny pinch of salt to the potatoes. Lay the grated vegetables down loosely without pressing.
- Cover the top with the beets and spread a thick, smooth layer of mayonnaise over them to make the coat.
- Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, so the layers set and the flavors blend.
- Garnish with dill and cut into wedges to serve.
Tips
- If your herring is very salty, soak the fillets in cold water for 30 minutes, then pat them dry. Use only fillets sold as cured and ready to eat.
- Grate each vegetable on the coarse holes and lay it down loosely. Packing the layers firmly makes the salad heavy and wet.
Questions and answers
What is herring under a fur coat?
It is a layered salad of salted herring, onion, boiled potatoes, carrots, eggs and beets, each coated in mayonnaise. The beet layer on top is the coat, which gives the dish its name and purple color.
Can I make herring under a fur coat ahead of time?
It has to be made ahead. Chill it for at least 4 hours, though overnight is better, and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.
What can I use if I do not like herring?
Flaked smoked mackerel or cooked salmon work in the base layer, although the taste is different. Some cooks make a vegetarian version with only the vegetables and eggs.
How long does it take to make Selyodka pod Shuboy (Herring Under a Fur Coat)?
About 1 h 45 min in total: 45 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Selyodka pod Shuboy (Herring Under a Fur Coat)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 31 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
