Herrings are here.

We have just been given our first bucket full this year of the most fabulous "Silver Darlings" . These were caught in a fisherman's net by mistake. So its "Rollmops, Kippers galore. Luv it. Any of you lads into these?

I'm green with envy. I love Herrings but can't get 'em. Only this morning I asked my local fishmonger and he said no dice - he can't get 'em either. He gets kippers for me, but they come from France. They are magnificent - over a foot long, proper kippers, no dye. The flavour is out of this world!

Proper Kippers . Luv them. I am still trying to perfect the art of smoking them. Following the recipe in me home smoking book, they look fantastic but are a bit to salty for my taste. If I cut down on the curing time they are a bit watery. I think I need a new book.

These french ones are not salty at all. I reduce the cooking liquor and add a lump of butter to make a gravy and even then it's not too salty. They taste like slightly smoky butter. And no fishy smell around the kitchen after cooking them either - unlike those pathetic orange articles offered up everywhere as kippers - they're not even first cousins to a real kipper!