Saaremaa Baltic Herring
Discover the rich culinary traditions of Estonia with this century-old Saaremaa island recipe. Salaka, or Baltic herring, is transformed into a tender and flavorful dish through careful marination and simmering with aromatic vegetables and spices. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, this dish embodies the warmth and simplicity of Baltic cuisine.
Discover the rich culinary traditions of Estonia with this century-old Saaremaa island recipe. Salaka, or Baltic herring, is transformed into a tender and flavorful dish through careful marination and simmering with aromatic vegetables and spices. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, this dish embodies the warmth and simplicity of Baltic cuisine.
Ingredients
🐟 500-700g Baltic Herring, (about 8-10 fish, cleaned, heads and tails removed)
🍅 70g Tomato Paste, Appetito, 25% dry matter
🌿 6-8 whole cloves
🌶️ 6-8 whole allspice peppercorns
🥕 1 medium-sized carrot
🧅 1 medium-sized onion
🧂 2 tablespoons salt
🥫 2 tablespoons vinegar, clear/white vinegar, 9%
🌻 3-4 tablespoons sunflower oil
Instructions
1- Prepare the Fish:
- Use a knife to remove the head and tail from each Baltic herring.
- Slit open the belly to remove the internal organs, then rinse thoroughly under clean water.
2- Marinate the Fish:
- In a stainless steel bowl, layer the fish and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
- Gently mix to ensure even coating, cover with cling film, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3- Prepare Vegetables and Sauce:
- Grate the carrot using a coarse grater.
- Peel and slice the onion into thin half-rings.
- In a small ceramic bowl, mix 70g of Appetito tomato paste with water until it resembles tomato juice (approximately 1/2 to 1 cup).
4- Sauté Vegetables:
- Heat sunflower oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onions until translucent (3-4 minutes), then add carrots and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
5- Add Spices and Fish:
- Sprinkle whole cloves and allspice over the sautéed vegetables.
- Place the marinated fish in a single layer on top.
6- Simmer the Dish:
- Pour the tomato paste mixture over the fish and vegetables.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a glass lid and simmer for 1 hour.
7- Rest and Serve:
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with potatoes for a traditional touch.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: ~250 per serving
Proteins: 25g
Fats: 12g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Equipment:
- 🔪 Generic kitchen knives
- 🍴 Metal spoon
- 🥄 Slotted spatula
- 🍽️ Ceramic plates
- 🪵 Wooden cutting board
- 🥣 Stainless steel mixing bowl
- 🍳 Non-stick frying pan
- 🔥 Gas stove
- 🛢️ Glass lid
Cooking Tips:
- Ensure fish is thoroughly cleaned to avoid any bitterness.
- Adjust water quantity in the tomato paste to match your preferred sauce consistency.
#hering #estoniancuisine #saaremaa #traditionaldish #balticcooking #marinatedfish #chefrecipe #simpleanddelicious
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