From above, your eyes will be greeted with a beautiful platter featuring a stunningly seared mackerel with a glossy orange-date caramel glaze. Accents of crushed pistachios add a delightful crunch and vivid pop of green amid the bold colors of the fish and caramel. Ribbons of lemon zest and a sprinkle of sea salt crystals seal the deal on this Instagram-worthy masterpiece.

Mackerel in Orange-Date Caramel

Name: Mackerel in Orange-Date Caramel
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: African Fusion
Ingredients: Mackerel fillets, skin-on, 2 None; Orange juice, 1 cup fresh-squeezed; Date syrup, 1/2 cup any natural sweetener; Unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons None; Lemon, 1 zested and juiced; Pistachios, 1/4 cup crushed; Sea salt, to taste None; Black pepper, to taste None; Vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon None

Category Dessert

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style African Fusion

Technique roasting

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: June 17, 2025

This enticing fusion recipe blends the richness of African cuisine with an unexpected twist. The star of the dish, mackerel, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and when paired with the sweetness of date syrup and the tang of lemon, it creates a perfect balance.

Ingredients (for 2)

Mackerel fillets, skin-on - 2 - None
Orange juice - 1 cup - fresh-squeezed
Date syrup - 1/2 cup - any natural sweetener
Unsalted butter - 2 tablespoons - None
Lemon - 1 - zested and juiced
Pistachios - 1/4 cup - crushed
Sea salt - to taste - None
Black pepper - to taste - None
Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon - None

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥⏲️🔝

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2 - 🔪🐟✔️

Score the skin of the mackerel fillets.
Step 3 - 🍳🐟🔥

On medium heat, in an oven-safe pan using vegetable oil, sear the mackerel skin-side down for 2-3 minutes until it turns golden and crispy.
Step 4 - 🍋🖌️🔥

Turn off the stovetop and brush the mackerel with lemon juice.
Step 5 - 🔥🐟🕰️

Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and roast for 8-10 minutes until the mackerel is cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 6 - 🍳🍯🍊

In the same pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the date syrup and orange juice. Simmer until it forms a sticky caramel. Season with a pinch of sea salt.
Step 7 - 🐟🍯🥘

Place the mackerel fillets back into the pan and coat them with the caramel.
Step 8 - 🍽️🍋🌰

Plate the fillets, using a spoon to drizzle any remaining caramel over top. Garnish with generous pinches of crushed pistachios and lemon zest.

Additional

This dish is a festive play on the traditional African method of caramelizing meats with natural sweeteners. For a smoky flavor, sprinkle the fish with crushed dried chilli before roasting. Kids will love drizzling the caramel and adding the pistachio and lemon zest garnish.