Crispy Salad of Vendace Roe
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 slice dark Finn Crisp bread
2 ounces vendace roe
Serves 2 (as an appetizer)
If you cannot find vendace roe, you can substitute another caviar. Toasted rye bread can be used instead of the Finnish dark bread.
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Wash the mixed salad greens and drain thoroughly. Shred the leaves. Combine the salad greens with the chopped red onion. Toss the salad with the mayonnaise dressing mixture. Crush the bread and mix into the salad. Spread the roe over top. Serve immediately.
Finland's Answer to Caviar
King of all Finnish roes, vendace roe is often compared to caviar. Roe is commonly eaten with toast, rye, or white bread. A Russian specialty, blinis are also often served with roe. At Restaurant Lasipalatsi, there are blini theme weeks every January and February, when a variety of blinis are served with different garnishes, vendace roe being the most popular blini garnish.
