Plated on a stone dish, the bronzed, spiced mackerel boasts a charred, crispy skin. Next to it rest a sprinkle of salad, greens arranged whimsically. The thinly sliced apple and fennel add crisp whiteness and fresh contrast. A drizzle of stirring lemon-dill vinaigrette leads the eye around the plate.

Spiced Mackerel with Fennel and Apple Salad

Name: Spiced Mackerel with Fennel and Apple Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 mackerel fillets skin-on, boneless; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel; 1 lemon zested and juiced; 1 fresh fennel thinly sliced; 1 green apple thinly sliced; 2 handfuls arugula; 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; to taste sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Summer-inspired mackerel fillets with a zesty salad.

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style French

Technique Marinating

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily recipe · August 20, 2024

A little about this dish

This recipe merges seasonal ingredients with a classic French technique to offer something truly special. Spiced Mackerel, infused with aromatic hints of fennel and apple with a zesty citrus vinaigrette.

Ingredients (for 2)

Mackerel fillets — 2 — skin-on, boneless
Extra virgin olive oil — 1 tablespoon
Ground coriander — 1/2 teaspoon
Ground fennel — 1/2 teaspoon
Lemon — 1 — zested and juiced
Fresh fennel — 1 — thinly sliced
Green apple — 1 — thinly sliced
Arugula — 2 handfuls
Fresh dill — 1 tablespoon — chopped
Granulated sugar — 1 teaspoon
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🧂🍋🐟

Combine ground coriander, ground fennel, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Rub this mix onto the mackerel fillets and set aside for 10 minutes.
Step 2 — 🔥🍳🐟

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook mackerel fillets skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crisp. Flip and cook other side for 2 minutes. Keep warm after cooking.
Step 3 — 🍋🌿🥣

Whisk together lemon juice, chopped dill, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil until well mixed.
Step 4 — 🍏🥗🍽️

Combine arugula, thinly sliced fennel, and apple in a bowl. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss well.
Step 5 — 🍽️🐟🥖

Place cooked mackerel fillets with the salad. Serve immediately, possibly with crusty bread if desired.

A final fox tip

Mackerel is a highly prized fish in French cuisine. The coriander and fennel give it a Mediterranean spin. Feel free to substitute the green apple with seasonal berries or fruits for a sweet-tart contrast. Kids can help with whisking the dressing and plating the salad.