| 3/4 | c | White vinegar |
| 1/2 | c | Water |
| 1/2 | c | Sugar |
| 2 | | Salted herring; 1 to 1 1/2 lb each, cleaned & scraped and soaked in cold water for 12 hours -=OR=- |
| 4 | | Canned matjes herring fillet |
| 1 | | 1 1/2" piece fresh horse radish root; scraped & thinly sliced -=OR=- |
| 2 | tb | Prepared horseradish; drained & squeezed dry in a kitchen towel |
| 1 | md | Carrot; peeled & thinly sliced (3/4 cup) |
| 2 | sm | Onions; preferably red, peeled & thinly sliced (3/4 cup) |
| 1 | | 1/4" piece ginger root; thinly sliced (optional) |
| 2 | ts | Whole allspice |
| 1 | ts | Whole yellow mustard seeds |
| 2 | lg | Bay leaves (or 3 small) |
