Smoked herring salad on a bagel is delicious

Cafe Society
1

I like lox on bagels, but it’s a bit too bland for me to love it. I prefer smoked whitefish salad on bagels and our local Lox Stock & Bagel shop used to make it quite well. But, they closed down long ago, so I had to resort to making my own. Mine is equally good, but smoked whitefish is becoming more difficult to find in my neck of the woods.

Our local Publix grocery store used to have fresh smoked whitefish in their fish department and I could ask for a small amount (~3-4oz) for a small amount of money. But, they stopped offering it (to Publix credit, they said they’d be happy to special order any of ~125 types of fish, including smoked whitefish…but, I’d feel bad special ordering something I only buy a small quantity of).

They do have pre-packaged whole smoked whitefish, but the smallest I saw was still too big and $12+. I was about to take the financial plunge with that, but noticed, next to the whitefish, they had smaller pre-packed fillets of smoked herring (it’s important to know the difference between whitefish and herring; hint, it’s in the nose) for ~$3—so that’s what I put in my cart.

Admittedly, smoked herring fillets do not look as appetizing as smoked whitefish. They look more like old, worn out shoe soles with dried dog poo encrusted on the bottom. But, I figured some things that look like dog poo actually taste quite nice, so I gave it a shot. I’m glad I did.

Recipe: Crumble a herring fillet, slices of red onion and bell pepper, chives, dill, a squirt of lemon and equal dollops of mayonnaise and sour cream into a small electric food chopper, and then chop to a chunky consistency. Afterward, stir in some capers if you like them.

Slather a layer of cream cheese on a lightly toasted everything bagel, then apply a layer of the herring salad on top. Chúc mọi người ăn ngon miệng!

The flavor is more intensely fishy (and saltier) than smoked whitefish salad, but I like my food like I like my women (intense and salty…not fishy).

I’m thinking of making smoked anchovy salad next, on a bagel with limburger cheese.

2

Herring is ok but I’ll stick mainly to lox and whitefish in a pinch.

3

Thanks, Tibby, I’ll have to look for that. How is it packaged? What’s the texture, similar to smoked whitefish, or still closer to pickled herring?

Here in Florida, smoked fish dip with crackers is a popular appetizer at many mom & pop restaurants, and I know they sell that at Publix too - usually made with kingfish I think. Probably as good of a poor man’s smoked whitefish substitute as any.

4

No, at least what’s offered at Publix is fairly desiccated and leather-like. By itself, it’s too salty and fishy, but cut into a salad, it’s just right, if you like strong flavor (which I do). It crumbles nicely and chops into fine pieces.

I’m in Florida, too. Smoked mullet dip is offered at a lot of fish camp restaurants. It’s good.

5

I don’t have any opinion on the fish, but I do want to say that all sandwhiches (especially deli ones) should be served on a bagel. Makes them sooo much more tasty. I’m an “everything” bagel man myself

6

Is there any difference between a smoked herring and the beloved-of-the-British-Empire kippered herring?

7

Well, sir, you should be a big fan of my giant bagel idea.

8

Kippered herring snacks may be worth a try making into a salad for bagels (I have Kippered snacks in my pantry; I’ll give it a try), but IMO, they may be too moist and weakly flavored to compare favorably to the salted smoked herring fillets I used.

9

A place in NY used to make those. I was thinking of doing that for a ‘big sandwich’ like they would do at another deli using a large round roll and cutting wedges out of it.

10

Sign me right the hell up.

Other than Bagel Bites I’ve never had pizza on a bagel, but given the wonder that is Bagel Bites I can’t imagine it’ll be bad.

I couldn’t remember when I posted the first time, but I do now. There used to be a Brueggers bagels across the street from a workplace of mine, and it was eating lunches there that I really fell in love with turkey and cheese on a bagel. I’m surprised your all bagel all the time place doesn’t readily exist