Pan Fried Mackerel Fillets With Beetroot Fennel Recipes

PAN-FRIED FENNEL

Steps:

• Chop fennel greens and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Lay some fennel slices in a single layer in the pan; cook until nicely browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and lemon pepper. Remove from pan. Add another tablespoon oil and layer in the next batch of fennel slices and cook the same way. Repeat with remaining oil and fennel. Serve sprinkled with fennel greens.

CHARGRILLED MACKEREL WITH SWEET & SOUR BEETROOT

Steps:

• To make the sweet & sour beetroot, mix all the ingredients, except the beetroot, with 125ml water in a medium pan and bring to the boil. Take the pan off the heat and leave to cool. Drain and rinse the cooked beetroot, then slice half into thin rounds, cutting the rest into larger wedges for a contrasting texture. Once the pickling liquor is completely cold, pour into a large jar, add the beetroot and chill overnight.
• The next day, brush the mackerel all over with the soy sauce and leave to marinate for 20 mins while you make the dressing. Whisk together the wasabi and crème fraîche, seasoning to taste. Heat your grill to its highest setting.
• Remove the beetroot from the pickling liquor with a slotted spoon and divide evenly between each plate. Layer over the shallot, pickled ginger and toasted sesame seeds, then scatter over the chives to create the salad. Layering the salad creates a professional finish.
• Put a wire rack over a baking tray and brush with the oil. Put the fillets on top of the wire rack and grill the fish, skin-side up, for 2-3 mins until the skin is charred and the fish is lightly cooked. If you want to char it further, use a blowtorch (see my tip below).
• To serve, place the fish on top of each salad with a spoonful of the dressing. For added wow factor, drizzle the oil around the salad, along with a little of the pink pickling liquor from the beetroot, then serve immediately.

WARM MACKEREL & BEETROOT SALAD

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes for 12-15 mins until just tender. Meanwhile, flake the mackerel fillets into large pieces and cut the beetroot into bite-size chunks.
• Drain the potatoes and cool slightly. Mix the salad dressing and horseradish sauce together in a salad bowl and season. Tip in the potatoes - they should still be warm.
• Add the salad leaves, mackerel, beetroot, celery and walnuts, and toss gently. Serve with crusty bread.