Śledzie w Oleju

Name: Śledzie w Oleju
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 1 lb salted herring fillets (matjes), drained; 2 cups cold whole milk (for soaking); 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup canola oil; 1/4 cup white vinegar; 2 tsp granulated sugar; 4 berries whole allspice berries; 2 bay leaves; 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

20 minEasyServes 4450 cal/serving

PolishAppetizerNo-CookPescatarianEgg-FreeGluten-FreeNut-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb salted herring fillets (matjes), drained
2 cups cold whole milk (for soaking)
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tsp granulated sugar
4 berries whole allspice berries
2 bay leaves
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1

Soak 1 lb drained salted herring fillets (matjes) in 2 cups cold whole milk (for soaking) in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Drain, rinse under cold water, and pat dry.
2

Cut the herring into bite-size pieces, about 1 inch long.
3

Whisk 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tsp granulated sugar, 4 berries whole allspice berries, 2 bay leaves, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper in a bowl until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in 1/2 cup canola oil.
4

Layer the herring pieces and 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a clean glass jar. Pour the marinade over them so everything is covered.
5

Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving. Serve cold, with dark bread.

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Questions

What is Śledzie w Oleju?

Polish herring fillets in oil, soaked to mellow the salt, then marinated with red onion, allspice, bay, and a sweet vinegar marinade. They are a standard zakąska, the cold appetizer served with vodka and bread at Polish celebrations. Plan ahead: marinate for 24 hours. This reference files it under Polish appetizer: made without cooking, rated easy and about 20 minutes start to finish.

How long does Śledzie w Oleju take?

As written, 20 minutes: 20 of prep and 0 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 5, 24 hours. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

Why pat it dry first in Śledzie w Oleju?

Step 1 reads: "Drain, rinse under cold water, and pat dry." Surface water has to boil off before anything can brown. Drying at step 1 means the food sears in the first minute instead of steaming.

Is there a substitute for allspice in Śledzie w Oleju?

The entry for Śledzie w Oleju calls for 4 berries whole allspice berries. In its place: Equal parts ground cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Can I make Śledzie w Oleju dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Śledzie w Oleju is 2 cups cold whole milk (for soaking). Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Śledzie w Oleju ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate what is left of Śledzie w Oleju within two hours and eat it within three days. It is served cold; there is nothing to reheat.

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