FoodHoneyed herrings: A surprising twist on a classic dish

Honeyed herrings: A surprising twist on a classic dish

Herrings have a distinct flavor, but pairing them with the right ingredients isn't difficult. They go well with vegetables, fruits, eggs, and even nuts. However, we don't typically think of herrings as an accompaniment for sweet flavors. Despite this, sweet additions can be a perfect match.

It's hard to resist herring with honey.
It's hard to resist herring with honey.
Images source: © Adobe Stock

Herrings and honey? It's not a flavor pairing that immediately comes to mind. It seems that something as sweet as honey wouldn't pair well with salty herrings. However, these flavors complement each other wonderfully.

Why should you try herrings with honey?

It's not about drenching herrings in honey. Instead, honey acts as an addition to the brine, enhancing the taste of the fish. Honey pairs very well with spices and can soften the taste of vinegar, offering numerous ideas for using this sweet addition in the context of herrings.

If you want to surprise friends or family, serve them herrings with honey. It's an excellent way to reinvent a classic appetizer. Herrings accompanied by honey gain a depth of flavor, and they're even healthier. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are particularly beneficial for the body, especially at this time of year. They positively affect heart and nervous system function. Herrings are also an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, and vitamins, particularly D and B12. And as for honey? It acts as a natural antibiotic and should play an important role in meals during the fall and winter seasons as it helps reduce the effectiveness of bacteria and viruses. Rapeseed honey is often recommended for pairing with herrings.

Two ways to prepare herrings with honey

In vinegar brine

Ingredients:

                    
  • About 1 pound of herring fillets
  • Brine:
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup of 10% spirit vinegar
  • 1 onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 5 tablespoons honey
  • Allspice and colored pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Preparation method:

            
  1. Soak the herring fillets if needed. Dry them and cut into small pieces. Transfer to jars.
  2. Prepare the brine by pouring water into a pot, adding salt and spices, then cooking for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add sliced onions and carrots to the brine, and cook for one more minute.
  4. Add vinegar and honey to the brine, mix, and set aside to cool.
  5. Pour the brine over the herrings; they will be ready after a few days. Store sealed jars in the refrigerator.

In oil marinade

Ingredients:

                    
  • About 1 pound of herring fillets
  • 2 onions
  • 1/2 cup of oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Several grains of allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation method:

              
  1. Soak the herrings if needed. Drain, dry, and cut into small pieces.
  2. Peel and thinly slice the onions. Heat oil in a pan and sauté them.
  3. Add tomato paste, ketchup, bay leaves, and allspice to the onions. Simmer for a few minutes on low heat.
  4. Season the marinade with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
  5. Add the herrings and honey to the cooled marinade, mix gently, and heat. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
  6. Transfer the prepared herrings to a jar or a sealed container. They're best after three days in the refrigerator.

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