Spring Mackerel With Sour Grapes And Saffron Salsa Food

SPRING MACKEREL WITH SOUR GRAPES AND SAFFRON SALSA

Steps:

• First make the salsa -- combine the onion, garlic, pepper, vinegar and a little salt in a bowl and marinate for the time it takes to prepare the fish.
• Dry roast the saffron threads until they barely darken (don't let them burn).
• Crush the saffron and add it to the marinating salsa in the bowl.
• Mix in the olive oil and the grapes.
• Now for the fish -- rinse and clean the fish.
• Salt both sides and the cavity.
• Dredge through the cornmeal, making sure to get a thorough coating.
• Heat up 1-2 Tbsp oil in the frying pan, then pan fry each fish for 4-6 minutes per side, turning gently to leave the cornmeal coating intact.
• Plate the fish, with the salsa along the side or passed separately.

SALT-GRILLED SPANISH MACKEREL

Steps:

• Rinse each of the fish steaks under fresh cold water, then pat them dry. Let the fish marinate in the rice wine for 5 to 10 minutes, turning the fish once halfway through.
• Preheat your broiler to the highest setting possible, or if you are grilling outdoors, make sure your coals are burning hot.
• Remove the fish from the marinade, and very lightly salt the flesh on both sides. Salt the surrounding skin a bit more generously. Place the fish on a rack set over a foil-lined tray, or use disposable foil broiling pans for easier cleanup. If you are broiling outdoors, you may wish to lightly oil the rack on which the fish will be laid. Broil the fish for 6 to 7 minutes, or until it is opaque and slightly browned around the edges. Flip the fish with a large metal spatula, and broil for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the fish is just cooked through.
• Cut the lemon into 4 wedges, and serve each piece of fish with one of them. The Japanese typically serve a small mound of grated radish to the side of the fish. Each person then dribbles some soy sauce over the radish and spread this mixture on the fish just before conveying it to the mouth. If you wish to follow suit, drain the grated radish of excess liquid before mounding it on the plates.

SMOKED PEPPERED MACKEREL AND SOUR CREAM ON HOMEMADE POTATO CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. and generously brush 2 large baking sheets with some oil.
• With a mandoline or other hand-held slicer cut 1 potato crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Immediately arrange slices in one layer on 1 baking sheet and brush tops with some oil. Sprinkle slices with salt to taste. Bake slices in middle of oven until golden, 10 to 15 minutes, and with a metal spatula immediately transfer to a rack to cool completely. Make more chips with remaining potato. Potato chips may be made 3 days ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Top each potato chip with 1/4 teaspoon sour cream and a small piece of mackerel.

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.

SWEET & SOUR MACKEREL

Steps:

• Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, nam pla and 100ml cold water. Heat the tbsp sunflower oil in a large frying pan or wok until very hot. Add the onion, garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 30 secs, then reduce the heat and stir in the sauce.
• Add the pineapple and chilli, then cook for 3-4 mins until the pineapple is slightly soft and the sauce is hot. Mix the cornflour with 1 tbsp cold water and stir into the sauce. Cook until thickened and glossy. Season with plenty of ground black pepper.
• Toss the fish with the flour and a pinch of salt until evenly coated. Place a medium saucepan over a high heat and add enough oil to rise 1cm up the sides of the pan. When the oil is hot, lower the fish into the pan using tongs and fry hard for about 1-2 mins on each side until golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper. Do not allow the oil to overheat and do not leave the hot oil unattended.
• Reheat the sauce until bubbling, then spoon into warmed dishes and place the hot fish on top. Scatter with shredded spring onion and serve immediately.

MACKEREL FILLETS SIMMERED IN SOY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet with a cover, mix together all ingredients except fish, rice and scallions. Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes, uncovered.
• Add fish skin-side down and simmer until cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. (You can hasten cooking a bit by covering pan, but it is not necessary.) Spoon a fillet and some sauce onto a mound of white rice; garnish and serve.

PAN-FRIED MACKEREL WITH ORANGE SALSA

Steps:

• Rub the fillets on both sides with the paprika and a little salt, then set aside. Mix the orange segments with the shallot, olives, parsley and a good grinding of black pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the mackerel on both sides for 2-3 mins. Serve with the salsa and some new potatoes and green beans, if you like.