Śledź w Śmietanie (Polish Herring in Sour Cream with Apple)
Local name: Śledź w śmietanie
In short: Salt-cured herring soaked, then tossed with onion, apple and a lightly sweet sour cream dressing, a Polish Christmas Eve and party appetizer. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 5 h
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 275 kcal
Herring is a pillar of the Polish Christmas Eve table and of any party where vodka is poured. In this version, salted fillets are soaked to take out the excess salt, then cut into pieces and folded with sweet onion, tart apple and a cool sour cream dressing. The contrast of salty fish, sharp apple and creamy sauce is the point. Serve it ice cold on rye bread or with boiled potatoes.
Instructions
- Rinse the herring fillets under cold water and put them in a bowl. Cover with the cold milk or water and refrigerate for 3 hours, changing the liquid once, until the fish is pleasantly salty rather than harsh. Taste a small piece to check.
- Drain the fillets, pat them dry and run a finger along each one to feel for stray small bones. Cut the fish into 2 cm (3/4 in) pieces.
- Soak the onion half rings in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This softens their sharp bite.
- Stir the sour cream with the lemon juice, sugar, pepper and half of the dill until smooth.
- Fold the herring, onion, apple and pickles, if using, into the dressing. Taste. The herring usually brings enough salt, so you rarely need to add more.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours so the flavors meld. Scatter the remaining dill on top and serve ice cold with rye bread or boiled potatoes.
Tips
- Buy salt-cured herring fillets, sold in tubs or vacuum packs, rather than ones in vinegar or sweet brine. Saltiness varies, so taste a piece after 2 hours of soaking and soak longer if needed.
- Keep it refrigerated and eat it within 3 days. Cured herring is not cooked, so people who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems should avoid it.
Questions and answers
Which herring should I buy?
Salt-cured fillets, sometimes labeled matjes, from the refrigerated section or a Polish or Scandinavian shop. Avoid fillets that are already in a sweet or vinegar marinade.
Can I make herring in oil instead?
Yes. Soak the herring the same way, layer it with sliced onion in a jar, add peppercorns and a bay leaf, cover with sunflower oil and chill for at least a day.
How long does it keep?
Up to 3 days in the fridge, covered. The dressing thins as it sits, so stir before serving. Do not freeze the finished dish.
How long does it take to make Śledź w Śmietanie (Polish Herring in Sour Cream with Apple)?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Śledź w Śmietanie (Polish Herring in Sour Cream with Apple)?
About 275 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 275 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
