3 lg Potatoes; peeled, cut into -1/8" slices 1 lg Onion; thinly sliced 2 1/2 tb Butter 2 Matjes herring fillets; cut -into 1/2" diagonal slices Black pepper; fresh ground 1 tb Bread crumbs; fine 1/3 c Cream; heavy or light 1 tb Butter; cut into tiny bits Preheat oven to 400oF. Place potato slices in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from discoloring. Heat 2 tb of butter in a small frying pan and, when the foam subsides, add the sliced onions, cooking until they are soft and transluscent but not brown. Set aside. Choose a 1 to 1 1/2 quart baking dish attractive enough to bring to the table and using a pastry brush or paper towels, spread with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Drain potatoes and pat dry. Arrange alternate layers of potatoes, herring and onions in the baking dish, ending with a layer of potatoes. Season each layer lightly with pepper, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and dot with bits of butter. Pour in the cream, bring to a boil on top of the stove and then bake for 1 hour in center of oven until potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife or skewer. Serve directly from baking dish.
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