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Sillsallad "Don't let the title scare you" (Herring Salad)


I love that in Sweden root vegetables are called rötfrukter, literally "root fruits" since nutritional speaking, this is truth (they have a lot of sugar). The liberal use of them in Scandinavia prompted me to experiment and I like more of them than I ever had believed I would. Once again, how you cook things makes all the difference!

Here is a recipe that changed my mind about BEETS ...and herring for that matter. Every classic Scandinavian food cookbook I have looked at has a version of this recipe. It is really a terrific potato/beet salad. Easily made ahead, transportable and a side or a complete meal on a warm summer day. Friends who think they are not going to like it are surprised that they do... and then they go get a second serving.

 I thought I had posted this a long time ago. But I couldn't find it here so even though summer is over, I had to post it while I was thinking about it.
SILLSALLAD - Beet, Potato & Herring salad with a mustard sour cream sauce

 Mix together:
1 cup herring, finely chopped  (in the US, I have found it in tins near the anchovies at the grocery store and in the IKEA food market)
1/2 c boiled potatoes, finely chopped and chilled (red or yukon gold work well)
3  cooked beets, finely chopped  (i have used fresh, canned and frozen-golden or red)
1/2 c tart firm apple, finely chopped
1/4 c onion, finely chopped
1/2 c dill pickle, finely chopped 
2 T dried dill OR 4 T fresh dill, yes-finely chopped!
2 T white wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Combine well and chill in refrigerator while making the sauce:
3 soft-medium boiled eggs*, finely chopped
1 T mustard
2 T white wine vinegar
1/8 c vegetable oil
2-4 T heavy cream 
Pour onto potato-beet mix, combine well and place back in the refrigerator.  It is at it's best after 2 hours but can be eaten anytime.

Sauce for serving:
stir together
1c sour cream
3 T beet juice (It's okay if there is less, just add a bit of water)
1/2 t lemon juice
Put a spoonful atop each serving.

I like serving it on a bed a mixed baby greens.
I have also made it without the beets-just adding that amount more of potatoes and it's still a delicious salad.

*if you are not familiar with boiled yolks that are creamy, please see:
http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/slideshow/seven-minutes-to-perfection
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