I think I mentioned quite recently that my late Mother-in-Law used to give me a few tins of Swedish Sill for Christmas (above). She knew I loved them, and she had a kind heart.
I tried to buy some recently, but drew a blank. The net failed to provide them, and Ikea don't sell by mail order. I was stumped. However, I looked online for alternatives and found a 'cheats' recipe.
I bought a jar of my favourite Rollmops, emptied out half the vinegar, and added about a third of a cup of Brown Sugar, one Star Anise (it said 'Dill' but I didn't have any), then topped-up with Tawny Port. I left it for about a week.
This is the second jar I've done, and the result is pretty good. It doesn't have the same texture as the real thing, but the flavour isn't a long way off.
If there are any Sill fans out there who can't get to Ikea, this is not a bad method to try.
To those who have no idea what I'm talking about.... I apologise.
Is this what we call Sild in Danish - pickled herrings? (Done at least 3 different ways.) We could get them in Lidl from time to time in UK.
ReplyDeleteThe Swedish version is pickled in a sweet/sour sauce with a taste of Dill. I should think it's very similar to Sild. They are often eaten with tepid new Potatoes. Delicious.
DeleteThat sounds very like one of the Danish versions, another has curry sauce.
DeleteI can get both Roll Mops and a sweet marinated version at Sainsbury. John West do herring in mustard and other sauces. I used to like the varieties of herring on offer in Norway for breakfast, most of them anyway. They did a couple of types that I think were rotten fish... Vile.
ReplyDeleteWhen I buy Rollmops, I always empty some of the vinegar, and replace it with brown sugar. Then after a week or so, they taste wonderful. The addition of Star Anise and Port makes them even better.
DeleteI just looked this up. I love Pickled Herring. We had this with along with our Polish dishes for a treat and at Easter.
ReplyDeleteI need to visit an Ikea store to stock up. I don't like not having any in store!
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ReplyDeleteYou are possibly right, but I am so used to my ABBA Sill, that I try to leave the preparation to them. I did once see what I thought was Sill in Waitrose in England, and when I asked the man if it was Sill, he replied "We don't sell Seal here Sir". I tried to explain, but gave up.
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DeleteI know what you are talking about and love them very much. I saw such )Abba) on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI tried Amazon but they wouldn't export to France.
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ReplyDeleteI don't doubt it... they probably need to protect their remaining trees back in Sweden.
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DeleteMaybe the poorer countries are pleased to receive foreign money for their wood!
DeletePickled herrings, my mother prepared them herself.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to make Soused Herrings, which I liked, but they were nothing like Sill.
DeleteSill is pickled herring straight from the North Sea landed at Yarmouth. My mother pickled them in vinegar, sugar and spices. I remember them very clearly and we ate with bread and butter.
DeleteSounds good, I've never tried making them from scratch with fresh fish. Maybe in Brighton!
DeleteRoll mops! I will stop reading right here.
ReplyDeleteMy wife was given them once at school; not a single girl would eat them!
DeleteJust ate some sill just like it was, mildly salted.They sell it like that, too, so that people can make their own versions. I don't like matjess, it's too sweet. I think in a small corner shop has at least four-five different versions, and a any given supermarket has at least dozen different versions... yes, I like sill in other forms, so I've tested them all. Pity I can't eat much because of onions.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you; in Sweden? I have just one can left in the fridge (one of the above)... I'm keeping it for a special occasion.
DeleteI accept your apology. I thought that a "still" was connected with the distillation of strong drink. Ah well, you learn something new every day.
ReplyDeleteIt's that Yorkshire T getting in the way again.
DeleteWhen I was a child my mother would pickled them. rolled. They were delicious.
ReplyDeleteYes, my mother called them 'soused'. I think they were put into hot, sweetened, vinegary, water, and left to cool. I shall have to make enquiries!
DeleteI'll pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever happen to be in Ikea, buy yourself a tin. You might surprise yourself. They're delicious.
DeleteWell, I'll try almost anything once and I do buy the IKEA Horseradish Sauce.
DeleteNot my first thought when someone says they are a fan of abba.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is an ABBA fan.... but she is Swedish!!
DeleteI did not know what sill was. I looked it up and decided that I do not want any, thanks.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to your last post, I have to ask...are you allowed to eat this? You're a British citizen, living in France, culturally appropriating Swedish food. FOR SHAME!!!! :D
Ms Eshe Kiama Zuri (of the Vegan Society) would no doubt have me shot at dawn.
DeleteRollmops are pickled herrings, right? my mum used to buy them in jars for my stepfather. I prefer my herrings canned in a tomato sauce and I eat them on toast.
ReplyDeleteThe one's I buy also have onions, and a slice of gherkin in the middle of each roll. The addition of brown sugar makes them much tastier.
DeleteNo pickled herring for me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSill is not really just 'pickled Herring'. It is sweet-ish, and almost 'herby'. It is very nice; try some, if you can find the tins above.
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