Herring indulgence: Elevate your meals with French mustard

Each of us has our favourite herring preparation method. However, herring pieces simply drizzled with oil and onions are always a crowd-pleaser. Every year, I also enjoy the layered salad with herring, beets, potatoes, and eggs, also known as the popular "shuba." While traditional recipes are delicious, we always feel the urge to experiment a little. After all, during the fall and winter, we tend to eat them quite often.

Herring at this time of year is an excellent choice because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the heart and the nervous system. They help ensure we don't succumb to the gloom that the current weather encourages. Herring are also rich in calcium, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, and vitamins, especially D and B12. They are also high in iron.

It's worthwhile to prepare these fish at least once a week. And when someone invites us "for herring," it’s definitely not an offer to refuse. I visited my neighbour and tried herring in a delectable sauce. The recipe features two types of mustard.

Regular table mustard is typically found at home, as it's a popular addition to hot dogs or sandwiches. However, the herring recipe also calls for French mustard. The mustard seeds are visibly present. Unlike other types, it's coarse-grained—the seeds are not ground. It's moderately spicy, and its salty taste is mild as well.

Despite its name, French mustard doesn't originate from France. Its history dates back to 1936 when the British brand Colman's introduced it to the market. This unique condiment gained popularity due to its mildness and sophisticated taste, thanks to unusual ingredients like white wine.

Initially, French mustard was a favourite addition to steaks in England. Over time, its unique taste gained widespread popularity. The distinctive whole mustard seeds make French mustard stand out among other sauces. It's worth picking some up during your next grocery trip to try with herring, then use it for other dishes. It pairs well with meats, vegetables, and salads.

Ingredients:

• 6 herring fillets in oil,
• 1 onion,
• 4 teaspoons of French mustard,
• 2 teaspoons of table mustard,
• 2 tablespoons of sour cream,
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise,
• 1-2 teaspoons of liquid honey,
• a pinch of curry,
• salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation:

1. Drain the herring from the marinade and cut into small pieces. Peel and chop the onion.
2. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, mustards, curry, salt, pepper, and honey.
3. Add the herring to the bowl and stir. Cover the bowl and refrigerate, preferably overnight.