Finnish Herring Salad: A New Version of Herring Under a Fur Coat with Apple and Dijon Mustard.

According to ТСН: The salad "Herring Under a Fur Coat" remains popular on festive tables. But if you want to try something new, pay attention to the Finnish version — Sillisalaatti, which also contains herring.

The Finnish version retains the concept of a layered salad, however, its main ingredients — sour apple and a sour cream-based sauce with Dijon mustard — give the dish a delicate taste with bright herbal notes and pleasant spiciness.

Ingredients

For the Salad

• File of pickled herring — 300 g

• Beet (medium, boiled) — 3 pcs.

• Potatoes (boiled) — 3 pcs.

• Carrots (boiled) — 2 pcs.

• Apple (sour) — 1 pc.

• Red onion — 1 pc. (for a softer taste)

For the Finnish Sauce

• Sour cream (fat content 20-30%) — 250 g

• Dijon mustard (grainy) — 2 tbsp.

• Juice of half a lemon

• Dill (fresh, finely chopped) — large bunch

• Salt and black pepper — to taste

Step-by-Step Recipe

Preparing the Vegetables

• First, boil the beets, potatoes, and carrots until ready. Let them cool and peel.

• Cut all prepared vegetables, herring fillet, and sour apple into small cubes of the same size for a harmonious taste.

• Chop the red onion into thin half-rings or small cubes to avoid overwhelming the salad.

Making the Sauce

• In a large bowl, mix the sour cream with Dijon mustard.

• Add the juice of half a lemon for freshness.

• Add the finely chopped dill.

• Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, then mix well until smooth.

Assembling the Salad (Layering the "Coat")

The Finnish "coat" is best laid out in a transparent container or on a flat plate using a culinary ring.

Layer in the following order:

• Potatoes (base)

• Herring

• Onion

• Carrots

• Apple (for freshness)

• Beet (top, final layer)

Each layer, except the top (beet), should be evenly coated with the sour cream-mustard sauce, which not only binds the ingredients but also provides moisture to activate the flavors.

After placing all the components, smooth the top beet layer. As a final step, cover the salad with sauce on top and sides to give it an appetizing look and let it soak well.

Cover the salad with film and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This will allow the flavors to harmonize. Before serving, garnish the top layer with fresh dill sprigs.

The Sillisalaatti salad is a great alternative to traditional festive dishes. Its original taste and delicate texture will make your table even more exquisite and memorable. Don't hesitate to experiment with ingredients, as cooking is, first of all, creativity!