Smiltsill (Melted Herring)

Directions

Bring the water and salt to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan, add the potatoes and cook uncovered.

Select a heatproof plate the same diameter as the pot to serve as a lid. Lay the herring fillets on the plate side by side and make neat, diagonal slices through them every ½ inch without disturbing their original shape. When the potatoes are about half-cooked (after 10 minutes or so, but test now and then with the tip of a small, sharp knife), cover the pot with the plate of sliced herring and continue cooking the potatoes over medium heat for another 10 to 12 minutes or until potatoes are tender and the herring is heated through or ‘melted'.

Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Cook slowly over moderately low heat to brown the butter lightly.

Drain potatoes, return to pan and dry over low heat for a minute or two, shaking constantly. Place the herring on a serving plate and garnish with chopped parsley, radishs and egg whites and yolks. Pour the hot butter on the herring only and serve the potatoes in a separate bowl.