RecipesFinlandFinnish Buckwheat Pancakes with Savory Herring Spread

Finnish Buckwheat Pancakes with Savory Herring Spread

A delightful combination of hearty, slightly nutty buckwheat pancakes served with a creamy and flavorful spread made from finely chopped herring, dill, and sour cream. This dish offers a taste of traditional Finnish flavors with a modern twist.

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
Finnish Buckwheat Pancakes with Savory Herring Spread - Finland traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 200 g Buckwheat flour
  • 100 g All-purpose flour
  • 500 ml Milk
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 50 g Butter(melted, plus more for frying)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 200 g Salted herring fillets(drained and finely chopped)
  • 150 g Sour cream
  • 2 tbsp Fresh dill(finely chopped)
  • 1/4 small Red onion(very finely diced)
  • 1 tsp Lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    In a large bowl, whisk together buckwheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar.

  2. 2

    In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and melted butter.

  3. 3

    Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking until a smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.

  4. 4

    While the batter rests, prepare the herring spread: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped herring, sour cream, dill, red onion, lemon juice, and black pepper. Mix well and set aside.

  5. 5

    Heat a lightly buttered frying pan or griddle over medium heat.

  6. 6

    Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the hot pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

  7. 7

    Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed.

  8. 8

    Serve the warm buckwheat pancakes immediately, topped with a generous dollop of the savory herring spread.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Ensure the herring is very finely chopped for a smooth spread.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice and pepper to your taste.
  • Buckwheat flour can be substituted with a gluten-free blend if needed, though the texture will vary.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the herring spread for a little heat.
  • Serve with a side of pickled cucumbers or beetroot salad.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit the herring and create a dill and sour cream spread with capers.

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