Spring mackerel, a popular fish known for its delicate flavor and flaky texture, is often enjoyed during the warmer months. This recipe combines the freshness of spring mackerel with the tangy sweetness of sour grapes and the vibrant aromatics of saffron. The result is a colorful and flavorful dish that showcases the best of spring's bounty.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SPRING MACKEREL WITH SOUR GRAPES AND SAFFRON SALSA
This recipe comes from the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores (Chicharros de Agraco com Molho de Acafrao). Fresh sardines and mackerel are favorites in the Portuguese cuisine and while fresh sardines are hard to find, mackerel are more readily available. Usually made in midsummer, the grapes used are sour because they are in the middle of their growing season and are thus immature -- you can substitute mature grapes, unless you have a vineyard nearby! The ingredients all speak of Portugal: fish, olive oil, saffron, garlic, onion, grapes. Traditionally, this is made in a casuela, an unglazed earthenware dish which will fry without burning ... you can substitute any heavy seasoned cast iron or non-stick pan. An unseasoned pan will ruin the wonderful cornmeal coating and skin of the fish ... We had this recipe at a restaurant in the Douro Valley, but this version is from Elisabeth Luard's "The Food of Spain and Portugal". Submitted for Zaar World Tour 5 (2009).
Provided by Gandalf The White
Categories Portuguese
Time 44m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
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.
FRESH CLASSIC GRAPE SALSA
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in medium bowl and mix well. Let stand at least one hour before serving. Drain off excess liquid before serving.
- Nutritional analysis per serving: Calories 38; Protein 0.6g; Carbohydrate 9g; Fat 0.3g; 6% Calories from Fat; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 147mg; Fiber 0.7g
GRAPE AND AVOCADO SALSA
Always a hit at get-togethers this unique and delicious salsa is fabulous on chicken or fish. It can also be served with bagel chips or tortilla chips.
Provided by AMiller
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Salsa Recipes Avocado Salsa Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the grapes, avocado, red pepper, yellow pepper, onion, and cilantro in a mixing bowl. Season with lime juice, garlic salt, and black pepper. Gently fold the ingredients together until well mixed. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 65.7 calories, Carbohydrate 8.4 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 0.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 116.4 mg, Sugar 5.6 g
SWEET & SOUR MACKEREL
This healthy but substantial dish is ready in just half an hour, perfect for a midweek meal for two
Provided by Valentine Warner
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 883 calories, Fat 65 grams fat, SaturatedFat 11 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 36 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 24 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 41 grams protein, Sodium 2.67 milligram of sodium
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.
FRESH GRAPE SALSA
This salsa is wonderful - sweet, sour, and a little spicy. We usually enjoy it with tortilla chips, but it can also be used as an accompaniment to fish or chicken dishes like other fruit-based salsas. It can be made with any color of seedless grapes, but red grapes are especially pretty with the green onions, chilies and cilantro.
Provided by KizmitRuby
Categories Sauces
Time 1h20m
Yield 2 cups, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in medium bowl, mix well.
- Let stand at least 1 hour before serving.
- Drain off excess liquid before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 34.6, Fat 0.1, Sodium 150, Carbohydrate 8.7, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 6.8, Protein 0.6
PAN-FRIED MACKEREL WITH ORANGE SALSA
Mackerel is not only a sustainable fish, it's also rich in omega-3 and cooks in minutes - great with a citrus sauce
Provided by Sara Buenfeld
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 21m
Number Of Ingredients 8
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 466 calories, Fat 34 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 10 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 30 grams protein, Sodium 1.3 milligram of sodium
MACKEREL WITH PISTACHIO AND CARDAMOM SALSA
This is a summer starter that works just as well as a main course, served with some herb-filled rice or fried potato slices. Both the cream and the cardamom salsa can be made in advance so you can have this dish on the table in as long as it takes to cook the fish, no longer than five minutes. If you choose to do this, just make sure to add the lime juice to the salsa at the very last minute to prevent the herbs from discoloring.
Provided by Yotam Ottolenghi
Categories dinner, seafood, main course
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings as a starter, or 2 as a main course
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix about 1/8 teaspoon cardamom with a pinch of salt. Rub on both sides of the fish and set aside until ready to fry.
- Finely grate the ginger and then press the pulp through a sieve or a small strainer (with a bowl underneath): You should get 1 teaspoon of juice. Discard the pulp and set the liquid aside.
- Use a small whisk to whip the heavy cream (double cream) until stiff. Switch to using a spatula and then fold in the sour cream (soured cream), ginger juice and a small pinch of salt so you have a soft cream. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.
- Combine the herbs with pistachios, remaining cardamom, the lime zest and juice, the chile pepper, 2 1/2 tablespoons oil and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- When ready to serve, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to a large frying pan (nonstick works nicely) and place over high heat. Once very hot, add the mackerel fillets, skin-side down (the skin should sizzle) and fry for 2 minutes. Press the fillets down with a spatula as they cook to prevent the skin from curling up. Once the skin is crisp and golden brown, turn the fillets over and fry for another minute, until golden brown. (You can do this in two batches, if necessary.)
- Transfer the mackerel to 4 individual plates. Spoon a quarter each of the ginger cream and the cardamom salsa next to each fillet and serve hot, with a wedge of lime.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 493, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 450 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams
Tips:
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Spring mackerel is at its best in the spring and early summer, when it is fat and flavorful. Sour grapes are also in season in the spring and summer.
- Don't overcook the mackerel. Mackerel is a delicate fish that can easily be overcooked. Cook it just until it is opaque in the center, or about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Make the saffron salsa ahead of time. The salsa can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time, so you can save time on the day you serve the mackerel.
- Serve the mackerel with your favorite sides. Some good options include roasted vegetables, rice, or a salad.
Conclusion:
Spring mackerel with sour grapes and saffron salsa is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a spring or summer meal. The mackerel is cooked to perfection and the salsa is flavorful and refreshing. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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