Forget Boring Fries: This Golden Helsinki-Style Potato Bake Is Northern Europe’s Best Comfort Food Secret

When your usual side dishes start feeling repetitive, introducing a unique regional twist is the perfect way to excite the family at dinner time. While most households default to standard roasting or boiling, this traditional Finnish combination brings an incredible depth of flavor by layering tender ingredients with a rich, velvety custard.

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs of potatoes, 9 oz of lightly salted herring fillets, 1 medium yellow onion, 1 bunch of green onions, 1 small bunch of fresh dill, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper to taste.

To begin, wash and peel your potatoes, slicing them into very thin, uniform rounds. Toss the slices thoroughly in a bowl with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a tablespoon of vegetable oil so every piece is evenly coated. Prepare your herring by rinsing the fillets, removing any stray bones, and cutting the fish into small, bite-sized pieces. Peel the yellow onion and slice it into thin rings.

Lightly grease a standard baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Begin building the dish by laying down the seasoned potato slices first, followed by a layer of onion rings, and then the savory pieces of herring. Top everything generously with chopped green onions and fresh dill, and finish with a tiny drizzle of vegetable oil over the surface. Pop the dish into a preheated oven at 400°F for 25 minutes.

While the base is baking, quickly whip up your savory custard. In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, flour, and a tiny pinch of salt and pepper, beating the mixture with a whisk or mixer until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. Once the initial 25 minutes are up, carefully remove the hot baking dish, pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the top, and return it to the oven for another 20 minutes until the top sets into a beautiful, bubbling, golden-brown crust.