Can I use marinated herring instead of salted?

Traditionally salted herring is used, for a cleaner, saltier taste. Marinated (in vinegar or oil) gives a more sour profile; if you use it, pat it dry first.

What can replace mayonnaise?

You can replace part of the mayonnaise with sour cream (lighter), or mix them half and half. All sour cream and the layers hold together less well.

Why do some add apple?

Some add a layer of grated tart apple for freshness and a touch of sweetness, optional, but it sets off the herring nicely.

How long should it chill?

At least 4 hours, ideally overnight in the fridge. That lets the mayonnaise soak into the layers so the salad cuts cleanly.

Russia · Salads · Gluten-free

Herring Under a Fur Coat

Name: Herring Under a Fur Coat
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Russian
Ingredients: 250 g salted herring; 400 g potatoes; 200 g carrots; 300 g beets; 4 whole eggs; 120 g onion; 200 g mayonnaise; 1 tbsp white wine vinegar; 1 tsp vegetable oil; 2 tbsp fresh dill; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper

A layered Russian holiday salad of salted herring hidden under potato, carrot, egg, and a bright top layer of beet, with mayonnaise between each tier. It is assembled in a ring and chilled overnight so the layers meld; the beet fur coat gives the salad its name.

60 min 280 kcal 8 serves Medium🌾Gluten-free🇷🇺Russia Jump to recipe

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Ingredients

ServingsMetric

250 gsalted herring
400 gpotatoes
200 gcarrots
300 gbeets
4 wholeeggs
120 gonion
200 gmayonnaise
1 tbspwhite wine vinegar
1 tspvegetable oil
2 tbspfresh dill
0.5 tspsalt
0.25 tspblack pepper

Method

Boil the potatoes, carrots, and beets in their skins until tender (potatoes and carrots about 25 minutes, beets 45), and hard-boil the eggs. Cool everything completely, then peel.
Grate the potatoes, carrots, beets, and eggs separately, keeping each in its own bowl so the colours stay clean.
Skin and bone the herring and cut it into small dice. Dice the onion finely and toss it with the vinegar and oil; let it sit 5 minutes, then drain.
In a springform pan or serving ring, spread the grated potatoes in an even layer, season lightly with salt and pepper, and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on top.
Layer the herring and pickled onion over the potatoes, then a little mayonnaise, then the grated carrots and more mayonnaise.
Add the grated egg and a thin layer of mayonnaise, then finish with the grated beets and a final coat of mayonnaise on top.
Chill at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Remove the ring, scatter with dill, and serve cold.

FAQ

There are many versions. A classic one: potato (bottom), herring with pickled onion, carrot, egg, beet (top), with mayonnaise between the layers. The herring ends up under the coat, in the middle.