Since I can remember, I have loved herrings, which was served on many occasions in my family home. Herrings are also a traditional Christmas and Easter food. No party can go without at least one herrings dish. This fish is simply not expensive and very, very tasty. I remember my mom always was making not enough herrings, especially for Christmas. Once she sent my Dad, my Sister and me for last before Christmas shopping, and on the list were also herrings – my Sister and I convinced our Dad, that Mom meant us to buy 3kg (6 lbs)! of herrings 0_o. yes, it was a lot of work but that year we was stuffed with fish so much we couldn’t look or smell it for couple months 😀

In Mullen Household the only herring eater is me. Cookies – LOL after his Japan adventure with stomach pumping he can’t even think about eating raw fish. So, more for me, weeeee! 0_o Sorry I’m getting excited again :P.

Methods to prepare herrings is plenty. You can marinate them in vinegar with onion, you can cover with oil, spice it, fry it and then marinate, marinate and cover with oil! Damn so many yummy ways to fulfill your need for this tasty fish. Today I want to present 2 ways, lets say dry and semi-sweet :P. Both I served myself for last Christmas and damn enjoyed every second of this pleasure…

Recipe #1
Herrings with onion, pickles and marinated mushrooms in oil

Ingredients for ½ of a 1l jar

3 filleted halves of herrings
2 big sour pickles
1 big onion (can be any, I had red one) 
250ml jar of marinated white mushrooms
good quality oil

Preparations
Put herrings on the strainer and soak in cold water for at least 1h (if your fish is salted, make it 2-3h and change water at least twice)

First cut everything: herrings into 1cm thick strips, pickles and mushrooms dice. With onion you need more time. If you add raw onion into oil the whole product will go to waste in 2 days, something about essential oils in it causing the process to speed up. So there is two solutions, I prefer second one. 1st: chop onion tiny and place in a bowl, cover with cold water mixed with citric acid, soak for like 15-20 min, then drain and let it sit another 30 min to completely lose any and all the water. 2nd: chop onion tiny, in the meantime boil water, like for tea and place onion on the strainer and pour water over it, let it cool down and use.

When you have all ingredients prepared, make sure your jar is thoroughly clean, on the bottom of the jar place 1-2 english peppercorns and 2-3 black peppercorns. On top of it place first layer of herrings strips, then onion, then pickles, then mushrooms. Continue til the end of all listed ingredients.

Pour oil slowly on top, the amount needs to be enough to cover layers to the top, though it doesn’t have swim in it. Place in the fridge.

Recipe #2
Herrings with raisins

Ingredients for ½ of a 1l jar

3 filleted halves of herrings
2 medium onions
¾ cup good quality oil
good handful of raisins
½ cup good ketchup
½ tsp brown sugar
black pepper

Preparations
Put herrings on the strainer and soak in cold water for at least 1h (if your fish is salted, make it 2-3h and change water at least twice).

Soak raisins for 5 min. in hot water, drain. Cut onion in half slices. Heat oil in the skillet, add onion and cook for few minutes until softened. Add raisins, ketchup, sugar and pinch of black pepper. Stew for another 2 min, making sure that the ketchup gets mixed in. Set aside until completely chilled.

Again create layers: herrings – onion/raisins – herrings. It’s good to finish with onion/raisins on top. Pour leftover oil. Place in the fridge

Serve on a nice plate, sometimes on lettuce leaves with parsley on top (thats party friendly).
I just served it on the little plate I inherited from my Granny. ENJOY!!

Until next time, take care of yourself and each other! 0_o

P.S. Cookies thoughts: I have no thoughts, as I don’t like to eat these. But do not let that discourage you from trying these! She shared some with a few friends and they found them to be phenomenal, so I guess IF you like it, these are good, as Magda Cooks… it just right!