Entree: Finland – Finnish Coastal Cuisine – Grilled Baltic Herring (Char-grilled small Baltic herring served whole with lemon and dill)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 10 min

Cook 6 min

Additional 10 min

Total 25 min

Ingredients

- 12 Baltic herrings, cleaned and gutted, approx. 3 oz (85 g) each
- 1 tbsp (15 g) coarse sea salt
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) melted butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil for brushing
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges, approx. 3.5 oz (100 g)
- 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh dill, chopped
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced, approx. 3 oz (85 g)
- 8 small new potatoes, boiled, about 1 1/4 lb (570 g)
- Rye bread for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Rinse and pat the herrings dry; season inside and out with coarse sea salt and black pepper and let sit 10 minutes.
2. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grates lightly.
3. Brush herrings with a mixture of melted butter and vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
4. Place herrings on the hot grill and cook 2–3 minutes per side, basting once, until skin is crisp and flesh is opaque; small herrings cook quickly—avoid overcooking.
5. Meanwhile toss boiled new potatoes with a little butter and chopped dill and keep warm.
6. Transfer grilled herrings to a platter, scatter sliced red onion and remaining dill over them, and serve with lemon wedges, boiled potatoes, and rye bread.