[GrannieAnnie]

Big bro wants herring for dinner tonight, so they are defrosting as we speak, but need a nice recipe for them.

Nothing with a creamy sauce, as he doesn't like creamy sauces!

Any ideas please?

[arugula]

They are tasty done in oats. There are many recipes around on the internet and this is quite representative.

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/645667

 

You won't have time to make rollmops before tea tonight! 

[GrannieAnnie]

Thanks Lorna, sounds nice, but we have no oats either! lol

[Springlands]

Hi Ice - this was my dad's favourite recipe for herrings (potted herrings). The herring need to be gutted and split so that they lie flat.

Roll the herrings and place in an oven proof dish. Grind over some pepper (no salt as the herring are salty enough). Pour in enough vinegar so that it comes about half way up the herrings. Place in an oven at about 180/200 and cook for about 40 minutes.

Can be eaten hot or cold.

[Spana]

I like them just lightly fried in butter.  They are so gorgeous they dont need anything else, just a hunk of crusty bread to mop up the juices, heaven :happy:

[GrannieAnnie]

Well in the end we did them in the oven, filled with fresh garden herbs and crushed garlic, with a drizzle of olive oil over them.  Accompanied by new potatoes and freshly picked runner beans!

They were lovely, but I don't like tiny bones!! 

[arugula]

I'm not keen on them for that reason, I hate the tiny bones.... 

[Springlands]

GrannieAnnie and Argyllie - if you cook them in the vinegar as I described the bones seem to melt. I would never have eaten herrings otherwise.

A memory from my childhood - the herring sellers coming around the streets with a call of "fresh herrun" for sale. They pulled wooden carts which were on wheels and full of herrings kept on ice. They were so fresh.

[arugula]

They were widely caught all round here too Springlands, referred to as the Silver Darlings.  Having never liked the tiny bones, I've grown to prefer mackerel even smoked mackerel over kippers. 

[GrannieAnnie]

But can you taste the vinegar Springlands?

I prefer fish like skate and plaice when I can afford it!   

[evie2]

Lemon Sole, yum :happy:

[8doubles]

Frozen oily fish do not keep well in a freezer unless they are smoked so to get a tasty meal i would bin it and buy a fresh one !

[joyfull]

bit late there 8doubles - Grannie and her family ate them last night and said they were lovely (see her post at 8.26 last night)  .

[8doubles]

I did see that Grannie Annie had enjoyed them ! If they had been fresh they would have been much much better!
Unsmoked oily fish do go downhill fast taste and texture wise when frozen, a matter of days not weeks or months.
Just stopped wriggling is best !

[Springlands]

But can you taste the vinegar Springlands?

I prefer fish like skate and plaice when I can afford it!   

The vinegar taste is not really strong because the oily fish reduces its pungency but you can smell it when you open the oven door.

I also like plaice and sole - but as you say they are expensive. Dabs are also nice and not so expensive if you can get them.

One of my neighbours loves smoked fish - his wife makes him cook it outside on a spirit stove because she does not want it to smell out the house.