Hampshire Herrings, hot or cold

• 6 herrings
• 1 large onion
• 1 bay leaf
• 6

Clean the herrings and remove their heads, tails and side fins. Put them side by side in an oven dish, close together and head-to-tail. Cover with finely sliced onion, bay leaf and peppercorns. Pour on the mixed vinegar, port and water and bake at 350°F, 180°C, gas mark 4 for forty-five minutes. Serve hot or cold.