Grilled Mackerel on toast with Sardine Ketchup

Simple to make, where the fresh Mackerel is the star of the show. Great on a barbeque if you get the chance.

To make the sardine ketchup:

  • Sweat the onions and garlic with a little oil in a saucepan without allowing them to colour, until very soft.
  • Add the tinned sardines and vinegar and cook for 10 minutes or until thick, then add the tomatoes, sugar, chopped rosemary and bay leaves.
  • Continue to let the ketchup simmer for a further 10-15 minutes until thick and relatively dry. If the ketchup is too runny at this stage it will be more like a sauce when finished.
  • Remove the bay leave and blitz the ketchup in a blender for 4-5 minutes until smooth. Pass through a fine sieve and allow to cool.

 

  • Pre heat your grill to high. Place the mackerel fillets on a lightly oiled tray and season with salt and drizzle with a small amount of oil.
  • Cook under the grill skin side up for 5-8 minutes until the skin is crisp and the mackerel is just cooked.
  • While the Mackerel is cooking toast your bread under the grill (preferably on the same tray as the Mackerel to soak up any of the oils released).
  • Once cooked, serve the Mackerel on the toast and add a generous spoonful of sardine ketchup to the plate along with a wedge of lime.

Author Chef Tom Brown at Outlaws.

Details:

  • Author: Chef Tom Brown at Outlaws
  • Prep time:
  • Cook time:
  • Total time:
  • Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 fillets of fresh mackerel (filleted)
  • 4 slices of bread for toasting (sourdough or similar works really well)
  • salt for seasoning
  • light rapeseed oil for cooking
  • 1 lime (4 wedges)
  • For the ketchup
  • 2 red onions
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 240g tinned sardines in tomato sauce
  • 1kg tinned tomatoes
  • 75g caster sugar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 rosemary sprig (chopped)
  • 200ml red wine vinegar