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Fish, European

Creamed Matjes herring with potatoes

Creamed Matjes herring is a dish of mild herring fillets coated in a sauce made with cream, yogurt, apple, and red onion, served alongside boiled potatoes. Made for 4 people, it takes 30 minutes, is rated very easy, and costs €3.00 per serving. Its success comes from balancing the salty herring with the tangy freshness of the sauce.

Tonight I'm suggesting a North Sea classic, Matjes herring fillets in a fresh sauce with cream, apple, and onion.

Creamed Matjes herring with potatoes
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
580 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall

Matjes herring has a tender texture and a mild flavor, far from the strong fish taste people sometimes expect. Bathed in a creamy sauce lifted by tart apple, red onion, and chopped pickles, it turns into a fresh, fragrant dish where every bite alternates between the salty fish and crunchy vegetables. Fresh dill adds its signature herbal note, typical of northern European tables.

This is a dish that comes together with almost no effort, perfect for a weeknight dinner when you're short on time in the kitchen. It also works beautifully for a Sunday lunch, served as a generous starter or a light main, alongside warm potatoes. Since it's eaten cold, Mon Chou especially loves it in summer, when turning on the oven is the last thing you want to do.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Matjes herring fillets 8

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1.2 kg
  • Tart apple 1
  • Red onion 1
  • Dill 4 sprigs

Dairy

  • Thick sour cream 20 cl
  • Plain yogurt 2

Pantry

  • Picklesoften in the pantry 2
  • Lemon juice 2 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Boil the potatoes in salted water with their skin on. 20 min

    Choose firm fleshed potatoes, they hold their shape well next to the sauce.

  2. Peel the apple, cut it into small cubes, and drizzle it with lemon juice so it doesn't turn brown.

    Keep the skin on if your apple is organic, it adds color.

  3. Thinly slice the red onion and chop the pickles and dill.

    Soak the onion in cold water for five minutes to soften its sharpness.

  4. Mix the cream, yogurt, apple, onion, pickles, and dill, season with pepper but no salt.

    The herring is already salty, taste before adding any salt.

  5. Arrange the herring fillets on a plate, coat them with the sauce, and serve with the peeled potatoes. 15 min

    Let it marinate for fifteen minutes in the fridge, the herring soaks up the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the cooked potatoes well and let them cool slightly before serving, hot steam would break the sauce if mixed in too soon.
  • Make the sauce an hour ahead and keep it chilled, the apple and onion flavors need time to blend together.
  • Pick a tart apple like Granny Smith, it holds its shape better when diced and contrasts more with the mild cream.

The variations

  • Swap the plain yogurt for full fat sour cream if you want a richer, creamier sauce.
  • For a fish free version, use flaked smoked mackerel fillets instead of herring, the apple sauce works just as well with it.
  • To save time, buy pre-cooked vacuum packed potatoes and just warm them for a few minutes.

What to serve it with

  • Lightly buttered rye bread
  • A well seasoned green salad
  • A cold light beer

Storage

The sauce and herring keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container, kept separate from the potatoes if possible. This dish doesn't freeze well, the cream and yogurt based sauce would separate once thawed. It's meant to be eaten cold or straight from the fridge, no reheating needed.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different fish instead of Matjes herring?

Yes, smoked mackerel or regular smoked herring fillets work well. The apple and cream sauce pairs easily with any mildly smoked fish.

How do you tone down the saltiness of Matjes herring?

Rinse the fillets under cold water for a few minutes, then pat them dry thoroughly before coating them with sauce. This is Mon Chou's trick for a perfect balance with the cream.

Can this dish be prepared ahead for guests?

Yes, make the sauce and cook the potatoes a few hours in advance, then assemble the dish right before serving. The herring actually tastes better after marinating in the fridge for fifteen minutes.

Should potatoes be peeled before or after cooking?

Always boil the potatoes with their skin on, it helps them hold their firm texture. Peel them afterward, while still warm, before serving them alongside the herring.

How long does it take to make a plate of creamed Matjes herring with apple and onion, served with potatoes?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a plate of creamed Matjes herring with apple and onion, served with potatoes?

About 580 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a plate of creamed Matjes herring with apple and onion, served with potatoes cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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