Along with tuna and salmon, mackerel is perhaps one of the best known fish; it has a strong taste that pairs well with dark bread – which is the way it is often enjoyed in northern Europe.
We wanted to give mackerel a more Mediterranean twist by cooking it in orange juice. This is an incredibly easy and quick technique to prepare almost any kind of fish, especially if rich in oils: the the orange balances out the fats in the fish, without overpowering the delicate flavour of its flesh.
One last note before we leave you to cooking: if you use fresh mackerel, make sure to refrigerate it properly before using it and eat it preferrably on the day it was caught! The flesh of mackerel spoils easily, and when it comes to food poisoning it’s really better being safe than sorry.
Serves: 4 | Preparation time: 5-10 mins | Cooking time: 15-20 mins
- Mackerel: 4 fillets (about 81 g each)
- Oranges: 1
- Black pepper, in grains: 5-6
- Rosemary, fresh: 2 sprigs
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO): 2 tbsp
Method
Grate the orange peel and press the orange. Put aside both the orange zest and the juice.
Tip: Make sure not to grate the white part of the orange peel! It’s very bitter and would spoil the flavour of this dish.
Peel the garlic cloves and put them in a pan along with the orange zest, the black pepper and the rosemary. Stir fry for approximately 2 minutes.
Add the mackerel fillets to the pan and brown them for 2 minutes on each side, then pour in the orange juice and cook the mackerel for 5-6 minutes more on medium heat.
Season to taste and serve warm.
9 Comments
This looks so simple and easy and I will definitely try it one Friday night soon. Mackerel, unfortunately, is not easily found in any one of the three supermarkets in my town but I will keep an eye out for it. Meanwhile I think this could be good with just about any fresh water fish … you think?
Trout or salmon are both perfect!
It is not an invasive condiment, it perfectly enhances the taste of these fishes
Let me know 🙂
Mackerel is comfortably in my top 2 or 3 favourite foods, I love the stuff, sadly it is not readily available here in landlocked Hungary, but I buy it every time I see it with great excitement… It goes so well with orange, this sounds delicious.
Hi Brian,
glad you like my combo with orange, something different.
Mackerel is one of my fave food as well…I can understand how much you are festive when you find it!
I hope you can give a try to this recipe and enjoy it!
I have not had mackerel, but I can imagine the refreshing flavours lend by oranges, rosemary and garlic. Easy and quick recipe to enjoy over the weekend.
Hi Jagruti,
thank you so much.
And it is also a quick preparation, not too much demanding.
I haven’t had mackerel in a while, but I do love the flavor when it’s nice and fresh. I must try it like this as the orange sounds like it would pair well.
Hi Caroline!
Yes, the orange gives a special touch to mackerel .. delicious and tasty. Let me know!
I just love fish and seafood of any kind. I can’t wait to try your mackerel! The orange wounds perfect!
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