Baked Scottish Mackerel Food

ROASTED WHOLE MACKEREL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Put a baking sheet on the rack in the center of the oven and close the door. Drizzle both sides of the fish with olive oil and season the inside and outside with salt. Stuff the cavity with the lemon slices and the leftover fennel stalks and fronds.
• Open the oven door and carry the fish over squarely in both of your hands. Put the fish in the center of the hot sheet pan and quickly close the door so minimal heat escapes. You should hear the fish sizzle slightly as it hits the hot sheet pan. Reduce the heat to 450 degrees F and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes, then open the door to look at the fish. The eyes will turn white when it s cooked. Touch the fish near the head. It should feel fairly firm, if cooked. Remove the sheet pan from the oven and allow it to rest a few minutes as is.
• Use 2 spatulas, 1 under the head and the other under the midsection, to transfer the fish to a serving platter. Use a paring knife to gently cut around the head and the tail. Cut down the length of the back until you can insert 1 of your spatulas down the length of the top fillet and lift it off the bone. Then, lift the head and the full backbone off the fish, unveiling the second fillet. Season the fish with a pinch of salt and lemon juice. Serve with lemon slices.

WHOLE ROASTED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes in skin on both sides of fish. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle fish on both sides with oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange a few lemon slices in cavity, and tuck the rest underneath fish. Tuck a handful of herbs into cavity; coarsely chop remainder and sprinkle over fish. Roast until fish is opaque and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
• To serve, use a thin-bladed knife to cut fillet free from top side of fish. Gently transfer fillet to a cutting board with a spatula. Starting from the tail, slowly lift spine to separate it from bottom fillet. Slice each fillet crosswise into three portions; serve.

BAKED SCOTTISH MACKEREL

Steps:

• Remove any bones from mackerel fillets, tweezers help.
• Mix the oats (larger flakes work best) and linseeds thoroughly in a bowl that you can dip the mackerel fillets into.
• Beat the egg, and dredge the mackerel through to coat.
• Dredge the egg coated mackerel fillets through the oat/seed mix to coat evenly.
• Lay skin side down on a baking tray (pre-oiled or non-stick).
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 220C for 10-15 minutes, until the fish are just cooked through, and the oats/seeds slightly crunchy.
• Serve.

ROASTED MACKEREL WITH GARLIC AND PAPRIKA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• 2. Put the garlic and paprika into a mortar, add the salt, and pound to a smooth paste. Add a few drops of olive oil, then rub the flesh side of the mackerel fillets with the paste and set aside.
• 3. Make the vinaigrette. Put all the ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• 4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay the mackerel fillets skin side up on the paper and season the skin with sea salt. Roast for 8-10 minutes until the skin is crisp and the fish is cooked through. Remove from the oven and leave to rest.
• 5. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in a large pan of salted water for about 15 minutes until tender, then drain. Return to the pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Crush lightly with the back of a fork, then add the scallions and stir to combine. Season with salt, then add a couple of tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
• 6. Serve the crushed potatoes topped with the mackerel and a drizzle of the remaining vinaigrette.

PEPPERED MACKEREL & POTATO BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/gas 5/fan 170C. Boil the potatoes in their skins for 12-15 minutes until nearly cooked through. Drain and slice into thin discs. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until soft and golden. Gently toss the potatoes and onion together and season with salt to taste.
• Put half the mixture in a shallow 1.4 litre ovenproof dish. Remove the skin and any bones from the mackerel, flake the fish and spread it out over the potatoes. Top with the remaining potatoes and pour over the cream.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for a further 20-25 minutes, until the topping is a lovely golden brown.

BAKED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a saucepan over low heat combine all ingredients except for the fish.
• Cook over low heat for about 20 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf.
• Place fish in a baking dish and pour the sauce over the fish.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes.

SMOKED MACKEREL & POTATO BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cook the potatoes and onion in boiling, salted water for 6-7 mins until almost tender. Drain well. Grease a 20 x 20cm baking dish with a little of the butter, then arrange the potatoes in it.
• Break the fish into chunky pieces, discarding any skin and bones. Tuck the pieces in and around the potatoes, then scatter over the dill. Whisk the cream, stock and horseradish together and season. Pour over the potatoes. Dot the remaining butter over the top, then bake for 20-25 mins until golden. Serve with a green salad, if you like.