Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (300g) herring fillets, cleaned and deboned
  • 1 cup (240ml) water
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) mustard seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2g) black peppercorns
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh dill, chopped
  • 8 slices of rye or pumpernickel bread
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (150g) arugula or mixed salad greens
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together water, vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, and peppercorns until sugar is dissolved.
  2. Add herring fillets, sliced onion, and dill to a glass jar. Pour the pickling liquid over the herring, ensuring all pieces are submerged. Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese on each slice of bread. Layer pickled herring, cucumber slices, and arugula on four slices of cream-cheese-covered bread. Top with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
  4. Cut sandwiches in half if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing.