Viking Silver in Earth
Based on:
TypeStarter
Serves4 people
DateSeptember 10, 2026
Silver sardines as treasure bars in potato mousseline: a solemn starter inspired by the Viking find.
Neatly arranged, gleaming sardines atop a dark potato mousseline, like silver bars in soil. The treasure shape echoes the find: shining fish-silver half-buried in a solemn, earthy base. A nod to Denmark’s largest Viking treasure.
Ingredients
- 8 fresh sardines, cleaned and filleted
- 600 g starchy potatoes
- 100 ml whole milk
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lemon
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 sprigs dill
Method
- Peel the potatoes, cut into pieces, and boil in salted water until tender.
- Drain the potatoes, mash with milk and butter into a smooth mousseline. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pat the sardine fillets dry. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a grill pan. Grill the sardines briefly on both sides until shiny and just cooked through.
- Spread a rectangular layer of potato mousseline on each plate, like dark earth.
- On each plate, place 2 sardines neatly side by side, partly pressed into the mousseline, resembling silver bars half in the ground.
- Grate some lemon zest over the sardines and garnish with a sprig of dill.
Serving notes
- Serve on dark plates for extra contrast.
- Make sure the sardines shine like silver in the light.
- Let the sardines sink slightly into the mousseline for the 'discovered treasure' effect.