Fish, Northern, Eastern and Western France
Marinated herring with warm potato salad
Marinated herring with warm potato salad is a cold dish from northern France, serving 4, with 30 minutes of prep (plus marinating time), rated very easy, at €3.00 per person. The key to success is coating the fillets fully in oil and dressing the potatoes while they're still warm.
Tonight it's the bistro from northern France, marinated herring in oil with warm potatoes, simple and full of flavor.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Very easy
- Cost per person
- €3.00
- Calories per person
- 540 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Spring, Fall
This dish plays on the contrast between the mild smokiness of the herring and the soft potatoes, tied together by a mustardy vinaigrette. Thinly sliced onion and carrots add crunch and a bit of color, and bay leaf scents the marinade without ever overpowering it.
It's the kind of dish you make the day before for a weekend with no last minute cooking, or bring out for guests who like bold, straightforward flavors. It's not really a kids' dish, but it's ideal for a simple meal among adults, in winter or early spring, with nothing to watch over right before serving.
The ingredients
Fish counter
- Mild smoked herring fillets 8
Fruits and vegetables
- Firm potatoes 800 g
- Carrots 2
- Onion 1
Pantry
- Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 12 cl
- Wine vinegaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
- Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Bay leavesoften in the pantry 2
- Peppercornsoften in the pantry 1 tsp
Allergens Fish, Mustard
The step by step recipe
-
Cut the herring fillets in half and arrange them in a shallow dish with the onion and carrots thinly sliced.
A sweet onion, like a mild red onion, works perfectly.
-
Add the bay leaves and peppercorns, then cover with oil.
The fillets need to be fully submerged in the oil.
-
Let it marinate in the fridge for at least an hour, ideally overnight. 1 h
Make it the day before, it tastes even better the next day.
-
Boil the potatoes in salted water, peel them, then slice into rounds. 20 min
Peel them while still hot, the skin comes off easily.
-
Dress the warm potatoes with vinegar, a bit of mustard, and some oil from the marinade, then serve with the herring.
Dress them while still warm so they soak up the vinaigrette.
Our tips to get it right
- Choose firm potatoes, they hold their shape better in rounds and don't soak up too much vinaigrette.
- Taste the marinade before using it to dress the potatoes, some smoked herrings are saltier than others depending on the brand.
- Make this dish the day before if you can, the marinade has time to soak into the fillets and the flavors mellow out.
The variations
- Swap the wine vinegar for cider vinegar for a softer, fruitier edge.
- Add a few thin slices of green apple to the potatoes for a fresher take.
- To save time, use potatoes steamed the day before, all that's left is peeling and slicing them.
What to serve it with
- Toasted country bread
- Salted butter
- Glass of dry white wine
Storage
Marinated herring keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge, fillets fully covered in oil in a sealed container. The dressed potatoes also keep for 2 days, but taste best made the same day. This dish doesn't freeze well.
Questions about this dish
Can I use salt cured herring instead of smoked?
Yes, just use homemade desalted salt herring rather than ready to eat fillets. Rinse the fillets well under cold water before marinating, just like with salted herring.
Do I need to cook the herring before marinating it?
No, mild smoked herring fillets are already ready to eat, the marinade is just there to add flavor. You simply let them sit in the oil in the fridge.
Can I make this ahead for guests?
Yes, it's actually recommended, the herring tastes better after a day in the marinade. Prepare the potatoes the same day you serve so they stay firm and don't get soggy.
What kind of mustard works best for the dressing?
A classic Dijon mustard works well and doesn't mask the herring's flavor. Avoid strong or flavored mustards that would overpower the dish.
How long does it take to make marinated herring with warm potato salad?
Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.
How many calories are in marinated herring with warm potato salad?
About 540 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 marinated herring with warm potato salad 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, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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