Courtesy Tim Schulte and David Mueller, co-executive chefs, Bauhaus Restaurant, Vancouver, BC
Matjes are young herring preserved in a piquant brine of vinegar, sugar and spices. This recipe features herring brined for two days. Easy to make and surprisingly delicate, it’s more reminiscent of sashimi than commercially pickled herring. Here, it’s served alongside vivid green accents of apple, celery and tarragon that reflect Vancouver’s treasure trove of produce.
Published: January 9, 2018
Ingredients
Directions
Whisk olive and lemon oils with lemon juice. Add salt, pepper and sugar, to taste. Set aside.
Heat oven to 350˚F. Toss pumpernickel cubes with canola oil to coat. Bake for 5 minutes, or until crispy.
Toss frisee with vinaigrette. Divide among four plates. Arrange apples, celery and chives on plates. Top with pumpernickel cubes, matjes and tarragon emulsion.
Serves 4.
Ingredients for Matjes
Directions for Matjes
Remove any bones from fish, using tweezers, if necessary. In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients except onion. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove brine from heat, cool and chill in refrigerator.
In ceramic or glass container, stack alternating layers of herring and onion slices. Pour chilled brine over each layer. Allow herring to cure in refrigerator for 2 days before serving.
Tarragon Emulsion
Directions for Tarragon Emulsion
In bowl, whisk egg yolks with mustard. Add half of olive oil in slow, steady stream while whisking constantly, until emulsified. Add vinegar to loosen mixture. Continue to whisk, and slowly add remaining oil. Whisk in lemon juice and add salt, to taste. Finish with tarragon.
Pair It
Kruger-Rumpf 2015 Pittersberg Grosses Gewächs Riesling (Nahe). Daniel Klintworth, general manager of Bauhaus, suggests this medium-bodied, dry Riesling. With hints of apricots and a bone-dry finish, it can stand up to the bold flavors of cured herring without overpowering its delicate nuances.