Swedish Charred Sourdough with Herring Butter

Name: Swedish Charred Sourdough with Herring Butter
Prep time: PT10MM
Cook time: PT5MM
Total time: PT15MM
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: Arteflame Grill; 1 loaf of sourdough bread, sliced thick; 4 oz salted butter, softened; 2 tbsp canned herring, minced; 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp butter (for grilling)

Ingredients

1 loaf of sourdough bread, sliced thick
4 oz salted butter, softened
2 tbsp canned herring, minced
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp butter (for grilling)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Arteflame grill

Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
Place the napkins in the grill and stack firewood over them.
Light the paper and allow the grill to heat up for about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Make the herring butter

In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, minced herring, chopped dill, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Set aside in a cool place until ready to use.

Step 3: Grill the sourdough

Spread a thin layer of butter on both sides of each sourdough slice.
Place the bread slices directly on the hot flat cooktop, closer to the center for a perfect sear.
Grill for 1-2 minutes per side until beautifully charred and crispy.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy

Spread the herring butter generously over the hot, crispy sourdough slices.
Garnish with extra dill and lemon zest if desired.
Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!

Tips

Grill the bread closer to the center for a quicker char, and move it further out if it starts browning too quickly.
For an extra smoky flavor, use hardwood like oak or cherry.
Let the herring butter sit for at least 10 minutes to enhance the flavors.

Variations

Garlic-Herb Butter: Replace herring with roasted garlic and thyme for a rich, aromatic twist.
Smoked Salmon Butter: Swap herring for smoked salmon for a smoother, milder seafood butter.
Spicy Herring Butter: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
Truffle Butter: Incorporate truffle oil into the butter mix for a luxurious, earthy depth.
Lemon-Caper Butter: Add finely chopped capers and extra lemon zest for a briny, tangy taste.

Conclusion

This Swedish-inspired charred sourdough with herring butter is a simple yet flavorful dish that truly shines when cooked on the Arteflame grill. The balance of crispy, smoky bread and rich, umami-packed butter is simply irresistible. Keep experimenting with different butter variations to find your favorite combination!