Śledź w śmietanie
Śledź w śmietanie is cool, creamy, tangy, and gently sweet, with rich herring balanced by crisp onion and fresh apple. The bay leaf and allspice give it the unmistakable warm spicing found in many classic Polish herring preparations.
Ingredients
Śledzie i dodatki
- 200 gsalted herring fillets, drained
- 60 gsmall white onion, very thinly sliced
- 80 gsmall tart apple, peeled and finely diced
- 1bay leaf, finely crumbled
- 3allspice berries, freshly crushed
Sos śmietanowy
- 120 gsour cream
- 10 mllemon juice
- 5 gsugar
- 1 gblack pepper
Do podania
- 5 gfresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- 1
If the herring tastes very salty, rinse the fillets briefly under cold water and pat dry well. Cut into bite-size pieces, about 2-3 cm. Thinly slice the onion, peel and finely dice the apple, crumble the bay leaf, and crush the allspice. Using pre-marinated or ready-to-eat herring keeps this beginner recipe within 10 minutes.
- 2
In a bowl, stir the sour cream with the lemon juice, sugar, and black pepper until smooth. Taste: the dressing should be lightly tangy and just barely sweet, which balances the saltiness of the fish.
- 3
Add the herring, onion, apple, crumbled bay leaf, and crushed allspice to the bowl. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Mix carefully so the herring stays in neat pieces and the apple does not turn mushy.
- 4
Transfer to a serving dish, scatter over the dill, and serve immediately. For the best flavor, a short chill improves it, but it is still very good right away.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •Serve with boiled potatoes, dark rye bread, or buttered boiled potatoes for a classic Polish pairing.
- •If using very salty matjes-style herring, taste before seasoning; you may not need extra pepper beyond the listed amount.
- •For a milder onion flavor, soak the sliced onion in cold water for 2 minutes, then drain well before mixing.
- •A 15-30 minute chill deepens the flavor, but it is optional and not included in the total time.
Background
Śledź w śmietanie is a traditional Polish cold herring dish, especially common on holiday tables, family suppers, and among the many preserved-fish dishes shaped by Poland’s Baltic trade and Catholic fasting traditions. Versions vary by region and household, but herring with onion, apple, and cream is one of the best-loved combinations.
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