Welcome to a modern twist on a beloved classic! Seledka pod Shuboy, often translated as "Herring Under a Fur Coat," is a staple at holiday tables across Eastern Europe. Traditionally, it's a hearty, layered salad with salted herring, potatoes, carrots, beets, and mayonnaise. Our version, however, offers a gourmet update: we've replaced the starchy vegetables with a luscious, sweet-and-savory onion jam. This simple change creates a lighter, more elegant appetizer with a complex flavor profile that is both familiar and excitingly new. It's the perfect way to impress your guests with a dish that is rich in tradition yet refreshingly contemporary.
Seledka pod shuboy with onion jam.
Ingredients for Seledka pod Shuboy with Onion Jam
- 250 g (9 oz) lightly salted herring fillet
- 2-3 hard-boiled eggs
- 50 g (1/4 cup) red onion
- 120 g (1/2 cup) onion jam
- 100 g (1/2 cup) mayonnaise
- parsley for garnish
- salt, pepper to taste
How to Make Seledka pod Shuboy with Onion Jam
Rinse the herring with cold water, cut the skin along the back.
Dice the herring fillet into small cubes.
Finely dice the red onion.
You can use store-bought herring fillets in oil for this recipe or clean a whole salted herring yourself. To do this, lay a few paper towels on your work surface, place the fish on top, cut off the head and tail, slice open the belly, and remove the innards. Don’t discard the milt and roe; they are delicious and nutritious parts of the herring. Rinse the herring under cold water and make a cut in the skin along the spine. Carefully peel off the skin and separate the fillets from the backbone. Cleaning the herring yourself results in a dish with less oil and, consequently, fewer calories.
This is a layered salad, and it’s convenient to assemble it in a food ring. Place the culinary ring on a serving plate. Dice the herring fillet into small cubes, place them inside the ring, and press down with a spoon.
Finely dice the red onion. Sprinkle the diced onion over the herring and gently press it down as well.
The mayonnaise will bind the salad layers and prevent them from falling apart.
Spread a layer of mayonnaise over the onion. This layer is not just for flavor; the mayonnaise will bind the salad layers together and prevent the ingredients from falling apart when you remove the ring.
Grate the eggs on a coarse grater.
The next layer is onion jam.
Place the beets on top of the onion jam.
Hard-boil the chicken eggs and let them cool. Grate the eggs on a coarse grater or chop them finely with a knife. Sprinkle the grated eggs over the mayonnaise layer, pressing down gently with a spoon.
The next layer is onion jam. Making this jam is very simple, but it takes time. You’ll need about 1 lb (500g) of thinly sliced onions. Salt and pepper them, add a teaspoon of thyme, 4 tablespoons of sugar, and 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté for 5 minutes, then pour in a glass of dry red wine and cook over low heat for about an hour until the onion is translucent. Let it cool and store it in the refrigerator.
Peel the boiled beets and grate them on a coarse vegetable grater. Season with salt and black pepper and mix well. Spread the beets over the onion jam.
Generously coat the beets with mayonnaise.
Generously coat the beets with mayonnaise. After chilling in the refrigerator for a while, the mayonnaise will absorb the beet juice and turn a beautiful pink color.
Garnish the seledka pod shuboy with flat-leaf parsley.
This dish is a variation of the classic seledka pod shuboy (a popular layered salad in Eastern Europe, literally translating to “herring under a fur coat”). Garnish it with flat-leaf parsley leaves. Let it chill in the refrigerator for several hours to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld. Remove the ring just before serving.
And there you have it—a vibrant and delicious Seledka pod Shuboy that beautifully marries tradition with a touch of modern flair. This salad is best served chilled, allowing the distinct layers to meld into a harmonious whole. For an authentic experience, serve it with slices of dark rye bread or as part of a festive appetizer spread, traditionally known as zakuski. We hope this recipe inspires you to explore new culinary horizons while celebrating timeless flavors. Enjoy every colorful and savory bite!
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