The Epicure's Almanac or Diary of Good Living
August 13th : HERRINGS
Should you happen to be on the coast at the period of the herring fishery, and witness the arrival of a boat load of these exquisite fish, by all means procure half a dozen, and have them dressed for your dinner or supper, which ever meal shall follow the time of day at which the boats reach the shore.
The sooner you eat them after their being caught, the more flavour you will find. The most approved method of dressing them is as follows :-
With a sharp penknife make three or four incisions across the fish on each side, cut an onion in thin slices, place both on the grid iron, and turn them occasionally till done. Have melted butter ready, in which two table-spoonfuls of mushroom catchup has been poured, and a little fresh mustard ; eat your herrings hot, with the prescribed sauce, and you will ask yourself, why people have made a fuss about John Dories.