Wash the apple under running water and dry it. Cut it in half, remove the core with a spoon, and dice it into cubes about 5 mm on each side. If you prefer less acidity, peel the apple before cutting.
Description
Classic herring salad with apple is a flavorful, festive addition often served at Polish Christmas Eve dinner. It combines delicate herring fillets (matias) with juicy, slightly sour apple, crunchy pickled cucumber, and soft potatoes, seasoned with a simple, tangy-spicy dressing made of mustard and lemon juice. Visually, it presents as a mix of contrasting colors — creamy pieces of herring, green slices of cucumber, and light cubes of apple — served in a shallow bowl. The salad has a distinct, balanced flavor profile: the saltiness of the herring, the acidity of the apple and lemon, and a mild note of oil/cream. Serve chilled as an appetizer for Christmas Eve or other festive gatherings. With its simple ingredients, it is hearty, aromatic, and aesthetically pleasing.
Składniki (12)
- Salted herring (matias) 300 g
- Apple 0.8 szt.
- Red onion 100 g
- Pickled cucumber 1.6 szt.
- Boiled potatoes 300 g
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Lemon juice 15 ml
- Mustard 15 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.0 szczypt
- Black pepper 2 szczypty
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Dill 1.5 pęczki
- 18% cream 100 ml
💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty
Preparation steps
Preparation of ingredients
Wash the potatoes and boil them in their skins until soft: place them in a pot with cold, salted water, bring to a boil, and cook for 18-25 minutes depending on their size. Check with a fork — the fork should easily pierce the potato. Drain, cool to a temperature suitable for handling (about 15-20 minutes), peel, and cut into cubes similar in size to an apple (about 5-10 mm).
Peel the onion and chop it very finely: cut it in half, lay it flat and slice it into thin half-moons, then cut across into smaller cubes. To soften the sharp taste, soak the onion in cold water for 8-10 minutes, drain, and dry with a paper towel.
Chop the pickled cucumbers into small cubes (about 5 mm). If the cucumbers have a very strong vinegar flavor and you want a milder taste, drain them in a sieve for 5 minutes.
Preparing herring
If the herring is in larger pieces or has bones, make sure they are cleaned fillets. If you detect too much saltiness, soak the fillets for 20-30 minutes in cold water (or milk), changing the liquid halfway through the time. After soaking, dry the fillets with a paper towel, then cut them into cubes with sides of about 1-1.5 cm.
Dressing
In a small bowl, prepare the dressing: pour in the rapeseed oil (30 g), add lemon juice (15 ml) and mustard (15 g). If you are using cream (optional), add it to the bowl (100 g). Whisk vigorously with a whisk or fork for about 30 seconds until the ingredients emulsify and the dressing becomes smooth. Season very sparingly with salt (1 g) and pepper (1 g) — remember that the herring is salty.
Salad Assembly
In a large bowl, add the chopped potatoes, apple, pickled cucumber, onion, and chopped pieces of herring. Drizzle with the prepared dressing. Gently mix with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon for about 1-2 minutes, until the dressing evenly coats the ingredients. Stir with calm motions from the bottom to the top to avoid mashing the potatoes.
Seasoning and cooling
Taste the salad and check the balance of flavors. If needed, add a little lemon juice (5 ml at a time) or pepper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (ideally 1-2 hours) to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to develop its full aroma.
Serving
Before serving, gently mix the salad once more. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle with finely chopped dill (optional) just before serving for a fresh aroma and decoration. Serve chilled as a Christmas appetizer.
Fun Fact
Herring has been an important element of Northern and Central European cuisine for centuries — particularly popular in Poland during the winter holidays. Herring salads have evolved as a way to combine salty, sour, and sweet flavors in one dish.
Best for
Tips
Serve chilled, preferably 1-2 hours after preparation, to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with dark bread (whole grain or rye) or with small slices of sourdough bread. If serving with additional snacks, arrange the salad in a smaller bowl so guests can help themselves to small portions.
Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 48 hours. Do not freeze the salad due to the presence of potatoes and cream — the texture and structure will deteriorate after thawing. Before serving, mix again and check the taste.
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