Matjes Herring Baked in Parchment Paper

We have celebrated Midsummer this weekend. The National Day of Sweden (the 6th of June), in all its honor, is the least celebrated holiday in Sweden. For us, the most relaxed holiday of the year is Midsummer.



The celebrations are so joyously undemanding when it comes to food. Herring from the sea, soured cream with newly cut chives, potatoes from the earth, washed down with spiced schnapps from ... well ... the Swedish Alcohol Retail Monopoly. For dessert, the first strawberries of summer served with cream.



However, the weather might not always be summer-like. Bad weather really limits outdoor eating.



When it is rainy, windy and cold (12°C), you don't want to eat any cold food, do you? Well, there are other things to do with matjes herring. Do you enjoy tin foil dinners when you are camping? Easy to make and easy to clean up. Here is the belly warming herring we had on this cold Midsummer Eve. Warmed in the oven adds a new dimension to matjes herring. Believe me.



Serve with your choice of bread and cheese.



Matjes Herring in Parchment Paper

serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

* 4 sheets of parchment paper

* 2 tins Matjes Herring (2x200 grams/2x7 oz), cut diagonally into pieces

* 400 - 500 grams cold boiled potatoes, sliced

* 4 hard boiled eggs, cut in wedges

* 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill

* 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

* 2 small very finely sliced red onions

* 50 grams butter

* black pepper



METHOD

For each serving portion:

1. Place sliced potatoes on parchment paper

2. Top with pieces of matjes herring.

3. Arrange wedges of egg, dill, chives and red onion on top of herring.

4. Top with butter and add freshly ground black pepper.

5. Bring the edges of parchment paper together and scrunch to seal.

6. Place the parcels on a baking sheet.

7. Bake in preheated oven, 200°C (=392°F), for 15 minutes.



Note: You need to use heavy duty aluminum foil if you want to put the food parcels on the grill, or alongside your campfire.