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Easy Herring Appetizer Recipe – Przystawka Ze Śledzia

Name: Easy Herring Appetizer Recipe - Przystawka Ze Śledzia
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 3 herring fillets; 2 handfuls of arugula or any other salad; 3 tbsps of Greek yogurt; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tbsp of mustard; ½ tsp of salt; 1 apple; 1 onion; black pepper

May 12, 2024

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Poles love their herring. To them the fish is not just a part of a dish but a part of tradition and culture. You will notice that this fish takes center place during Śledzik which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Śledzik is when people eat, drink and make merry before the start of the season of Lent the next day. Herring is the last dish that is served on Śledzik. It marks the start of the fasting period.

Christmas is another time when people eat fish in Poland. Herring is always one of the top choices because dishes with herring are so easy to make and the fish is packed with flavor. It’s also something both the young and old enjoy.

There are many ways in which you can serve herring. Pickled herring is very common. You will also find it served as spreads on a thick slice of Polish bread. This recipe is one of the easy appetizers that you can use during the season. It takes just 5 minutes to make and it’s always a hit at a party.

When Is Herring Popular?

Herring is a silvery and fatty fish that is consumed in most of the countries that surround the Baltic and North sea. This is where the fish is found in abundance. Interestingly enough, while herring is found all through the year, the flavor of the fish varies according to the season. This is because the flavor of the fish is highly dependent on the fat content of the fish.

During winter the fat content of the fish reduces. It is said that the best time to consume herring is during the months of June and July when the fat content of the fish peaks. This is also known as the herring season and is when you will find fresh herring in the markets.

Luckily, herring is also easy to store and you will find that they are available in stores all year round. They are often preserved in brine or oil. Pickled herring is also very popular.

Easy Herring Appetizer Recipe – Przystawka Ze Śledzia

Part I – Shape The Wreath On A Plate

The wreath base on the plate is made using arugula. You can use any other salad that you like. The spicy sharp taste that arugula gives complements the fatty taste of the fish very well which is why it is usually paired with herring. If you want a milder taste try using baby arugula. Wild arugula on the other hand will have a much fiercer flavor.

Shape the arugula wreath for the easy herring appetizer

Part II – Make The Sauce

Crush 2 garlic cloves. Crushing the garlic helps release the flavor better and works much better than dicing the cloves. Use a small bowl. Add in 3 tbsps. of Greek yogurt, the crushed garlic, 1 tbsp. of mustard and ½ tsp of salt. Mix the ingredients together till they are well combined.

Part III – Pour The Sauce On The Salad.

Part IV – Peel And Dice An Apple

You will need an apple for the next step. Peel and dice the apple. Now arrange the apple cubes on the arugula wreath.

Part V – Slice The Herring.

Slice the herring filets. Each filet will give you about 4-5 pieces. Arrange them on the arugula wreath just like you did with the apples.

Part VI – Peel And Slice An Onion Into Half Moons.

Part VII – Place It On The Herring.

Part VIII – Sprinkle With Black Pepper

The easy herring appetizer recipe is ready to be served.

Easy Herring Appetizer Recipe – Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Other Herring Recipes?

Shuba salad recipe (Layered salad with beets and herring)
Polish herring in tomato sauce recipe
Polish herring rolls recipe
Polish herring salad recipe
Polish herring in oil recipe

Can I Use Herring In Brine For This Recipe?

Yes, you can use herring in brine for this recipe. Just note that since the herring is stored in brine, it will be more salty than fresh filets. Titer the amount of salt that you use in the salad dressing accordingly.

Can I Use Herring Stored In Oil For This Recipe?

Yes. You can use herring stored in oil for this recipe. Drain the oil from the herring. Place the herring on a paper towel so as to absorb the excess oil from the fish. Pat it dry and then use it.

Yield: 2 servings

Easy Herring Appetizer Recipe - Przystawka Ze Śledzia

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

3 herring fillets
2 handfuls of arugula or any other salad
3 tbsps of Greek yogurt
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp of mustard
½ tsp of salt
1 apple
1 onion
black pepper

Instructions

Shape the wreath on a plate using arugula or another salad.
Make the sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, crushed garlic cloves, mustard, and salt.
Pour the sauce on the salad.
Peel and dice an apple, then place it on the sauce.
Slice each fillet into 4-5 pieces, then place it on the plate.
Peel and slice an onion into half-moons.
Place it on the herring.
Sprinkle with black pepper.