Aromatic herring: A festive hit with a savory twist

Although there is no shortage of herring recipes, fall-style herring definitely deserves attention. Thanks to a mix of spices like oregano, coriander, pepper, and cinnamon, a unique composition is achieved that will delight all herring lovers.

The fillets in the marinade melt in your mouth, guests can't stop raving about them, and the recipe is so simple that even those who have only prepared herring in oil before will succeed. The perfect proportions of the marinade will turn an ordinary herring into an exceptional appetizer for the Christmas table or other occasions, both festive and less formal.

A rich blend of herbs and spices gives the herring an oriental character while leaving a delicate hint of sweetness. Fall-style herring tastes best served with a slice of bread or as a side to potatoes. They disappear from the Christmas table in the blink of an eye.

Ingredients:

• 14 oz herring fillets,
• 2-3 shallots,
• 3.4 fl oz vinegar,
• 1 fl oz water,
• 4 tablespoons of sugar,
• 4 bay leaves,
• 1 teaspoon each of ground allspice, ground cloves, cinnamon, oregano, coriander, sweet paprika, and cardamom,
• half a teaspoon of nutmeg,
• 3 teaspoons of mixed peppercorns.

Preparation:

1. Soak the herring for 1-2 hours to remove excess salt.
2. Rinse them under running water and pat dry.
3. Cut the herring into smaller pieces, and finely chop the shallot.
4. Pour water and vinegar into a pot, add sugar, and all the spices.
5. Heat over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
6. In a jar or tall container, alternately layer shallot and herring, drenching each layer with a few tablespoons of marinade. Pour the remaining marinade at the end.
7. Screw the jar closed and place it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Serve the ready herring cold. The marinade is so delicious that there will be no shortage of people eager to scrape it from the bowl once the herring is gone. Fall-style herring is a simple dish that surprises and delights. Enjoy!