4.0/5 rating (17 votes)

Mackerel Fry

Masala Fried Mackerel

  • Heat Medium
  • Serves 2
  • Dietary Info LACTOSE-FREE
  • Prep 5 mins
  • Cook 10 mins
Mackerel Fry

Mackerel coated with an aromatic masala rub, then pan fried until crispy.

Hari says

I think mackerel is a beautiful fish. Its distinctive coat of shimmering purple, silver and green is stunning to look at, it’s packed to the gills (ha ha) with goodness and it's a tasty way to get lots of good healthy fish oils into your body. I like to add a range of different spices to my fish to give it some warmth and really delicious flavours.

Quick and easy to prepare, this makes a lovely light supper dish and works really well with a fresh and punchy radish salad. I’ve used whole mackerel in this recipe but if fish bones aren't your thing, then you can use the same marinade with fillets instead. Cook this gently to maximise the infusion of the masala paste, then crisp the fish up by turning up the heat. Finally, pour a little oil over the fish to finish the dish beautifully.

  • Ingredients
  • Method
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • salt to taste
  • 1 lemon
  • 3cm piece ginger, crushed
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 whole mackeral
  • 1 tsbp vegetable oil

Method

  1. In a pestle and mortar crush the pepper, cumin, and coriander seeds and place into a bowl
  2. Then crush the ginger and garlic and add to the bowl as well.
  3. Mix in the chilli, turmeric, salt and juice from the lemon to make a paste.
  4. Put slits down the sides of the fish and smear the paste over the fish
  5. Cook the fish in a frying pan on a gentle heat for about 4-5 mins on each side
  6. Pour the oil over the fish at the end and it will crisp up and serve with a radish salad

Nutritional information

Typical values* per Serving
Calories177
Fat (g)13
of which saturates (g)2.6
Carbohydrates (g)0.6
of which sugars (g)0.3
Fibre (g)0.1
Protein (g)16
Salt (mg)0.78
*Based upon calculated values, supplied by myfitnesspal.com. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated.

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Comments

Comments (3)

  • Rachel Godwin

    Rachel Godwin

    27 July 2016 at 08:52 |
    We used this on freshly caught mackerel fillets and it was fantastic. Everyone in the family loved this one. Thanks

    reply

    • Hari Ghotra

      Hari Ghotra

      28 July 2016 at 13:04 |
      Hi Rachel OMG that sounds amazing!! I bet you didn't get any pictures did you? Thank you so much for sharing - just another tip not so Indian but mackerel is delicious with some spicy chorizo too. Thanks so much for using the site and leaving a comment. Hari

      reply

  • Nigel

    Nigel

    29 July 2015 at 06:59 |
    Hello Hari,

    I had a bit of difficulty getting the masala paste adhering to the shiny skin, but I rubbed some inside the fish as well - and magic! Easy and excellent way to just bring a different taste and texture to my favourite fish. I added your recommended side dish of radish salad. Pleasing all round.

    reply

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