Mackerel with lemon in the oven: cooking recipes

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Mackerel is a fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, phosphorus and other useful substances. Its regular consumption can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases. It also contributes to weight loss - this is if you eat not a s alty or smoked product, but a baked or boiled one. Lemon will give the finished dish a special taste (with a little sourness!). How to cook mackerel in the oven with this citrus will be discussed later in the article.

How to choose fish for baking?

Before you cook mackerel in the oven with lemon, you still need to choose it correctly. It is better to buy fish in a fish or other store - so you can be more confident in its quality. When purchasing, you need to look at:

• gills - they should be bright red, divided into plates, without mucus;
• skin - it's good if it's a natural color (scales even for the bestthere may be no mackerel, as fish often lose it during fishing);
• eyes - fresh fish have transparent eyes.

If the fish is gutted, its freshness can be determined by the bloody remains of a bright red color and the almost complete absence of smell. To choose a frozen mackerel, you should look at the cleanliness of the eyes and gills. The belly of the fish should be without swelling. If they are, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Basic principles of cooking fish

You can bake mackerel with lemon in the oven directly on a baking sheet, as well as in a sleeve or foil. With this method of cooking, almost all the useful substances that were in fresh fish are preserved. Start cooking by defrosting. It is better to do this at room temperature, simply by putting the product in a cup. When the mackerel is almost defrosted (not completely!), you need to cut the abdomen, get the insides.

Immediately remove dark films, remove tail, gills and fins. The head can not be removed, many chefs bake the fish with it. When everything is done, the product must be thoroughly rinsed with water and dried with towels. Further, it all depends on the recipe for mackerel with lemon for the oven. You can leave the fish whole or cut into pieces. It won't change the taste.

What spices can I use?

Mackerel baked in foil in the oven with lemon (well, or in any other way) will turn out to be especially tasty if cooked with the “right” spices. It could be:

• mixture of red and black peppers (seasoning enhances the taste of fish);
• dried ginger (adds a slight spice);
• thyme or oregano (give away a little spice);
• a pinch of lemon balm (improves palatability);
• ground parsley or celery (adds a bit of fragrantness and sharpness).

But cumin, coriander and cardamom when baking mackerel in the oven is better not to use. These spices are too rich, they easily overpower the taste.

How to bake mackerel in foil?

Foil has one side matte, the other shiny. The first transmits heat, the second reflects. So, the fish needs to be laid out on the shiny side. Through matte heat will penetrate inside and stay there for a long time. Therefore, the fish will bake better and become juicy. You need to bake mackerel for at least half an hour, more is better. Cooking times are usually indicated in recipes. After baking, the product can be served directly in the foil - this is if you are not expecting anyone to visit. If the fish is being prepared for the festive table, it should be put on a dish and garnished with herbs.

Recipe 1: Mackerel Baked with Lemon and Garlic

This is one of the easiest fish recipes ever. The dish on it turns out, although not quite refined, but definitely tasty. Try to make it at home, your husband/wife and kids will lick their fingers.

Ingredients:

• fresh mackerel - 2 pieces;
• whole lemon - 1 piece;
• any mayonnaise- 3 tbsp. spoons (less possible!);
• garlic cloves - 3 pcs.;
• s alt and freshly ground pepper;
• green parsley - 3 sprigs.

Cooking method:

Mackerel get, clean, rinse. Make 4 deep cuts along the carcass (do not touch the ridge!). Sprinkle the fish with spices, grate from the inside. Leave for 5 minutes. During this time, chop the parsley sprigs, chop the peeled garlic, squeeze the juice from half a lemon. Mix everything, place the resulting mass in the abdomen of the fish. Gently place the mackerel in the mold. Top with mayonnaise and decorate with lemon slices (you need to cut the other half of the citrus!). Remove the form in a preheated oven, bake at a temperature of 180 degrees for 45 minutes. After that, the dish can be considered ready, it must be served.

Recipe 2: Fish cooked with vegetables

If you want something more refined, you can make mackerel in the oven with lemon and tomatoes, as well as other vegetables. This dish is very tasty, incredibly juicy and tender.

Ingredients:

• fresh mackerel - 2 pieces;
• medium-sized tomatoes - 2 pcs.;
• meaty sweet pepper - 2 pcs.;
• medium-sized potatoes - 0.5 kg;
• onion heads - 2 pcs.;
• low-fat sour cream - 3 tbsp. spoons;
• lemon - 1 piece;
• small carrot - 1 pc.;
• s alt and other spices - as needed.

Cooking method:

Cut the peeled mackerel into small pieces. Share inform. Place chopped vegetables on top. Mix sour cream with spices and juice squeezed from half a lemon. Pour the contents of the baking dish with the resulting mass. Put in the oven for 45 minutes. The baking temperature is 180 degrees. After the mackerel in foil in the oven with lemon is ready, take it out, mix gently (you can not do this!). Arrange on plates and serve.

Oven Recipe 3: Mackerel with Lemon and Onions

This is another interesting fish dish. It is prepared with the addition of chicken eggs. It turns out delicious. The amount of ingredients used to prepare the filling can be reduced.

• fresh mackerel - 1 piece (or 600 grams);
• lemon - half is enough;
• small onions - 2 heads;
• boiled eggs - 2 pcs.;
• melted ghee - 3 tbsp. spoons;
• s alt and spices - according to taste preferences;
• chopped dill - a handful is enough.

Cooking method:

To cook mackerel baked in foil in the oven with lemon and boiled eggs, you first need to clean and wash the fish. Divide it into 2 full fillets. Peel and chop the onion and eggs. Next, connect 2 sheets of food foil, put them on the table. Lubricate lightly with oil. Put one fish fillet on top, sprinkle with lemon juice. Scatter onion and eggs on top. Drizzle with lightly melted butter. Cover the products with the second fillet. Roll the foil tightly around the fish. Carefully transfer everything to a baking sheet. Bakeat a temperature of 185 degrees for about half an hour. Unwrap the dish and serve.

Recipe 4: Mackerel with lemon and spices

The fish according to this recipe is obtained with a spicy aroma and slight sourness. It literally melts in your mouth. Your girlfriends will no doubt ask for your advice on cooking. They will say: “Here we cook mackerel with lemon in the oven in different ways, but it still doesn’t turn out so delicious.” And be sure to call you a skilled cook.

Ingredients (serves 2):

• fresh mackerel - 2 pieces;
• rosemary and s alt to taste;
• dry oregano, ground pepper - to taste;
• sesame - 2 teaspoons;
• 4 garlic cloves;
• lemon - 0, 5 pieces;
• basil - 1 teaspoon;
• vegetable oil - 3 tbsp. spoons.

Cooking method:

First you need to prepare the mackerel: cut off all the fins, remove the head. Divide the carcass along the ridge, remove the insides and bones. Rinse the fish thoroughly and wipe with towels. Make a marinade: for this, add all the listed herbs, garlic, sesame, and juice squeezed from half a lemon to the vegetable oil. Mix everything well. S alt and pepper the fish and rub with the marinade.

Make slits on top and insert lemon wedges. In this form, leave the mackerel to marinate for 1 hour. Bake the fish in the oven: to do this, put it on the grill, put a baking sheet under the bottom. Bake at 200 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let the finished fish brew a little and serve withgarnish.

What to serve mackerel baked with lemon?

It all depends on how you cooked it. If with various vegetables, including potatoes, then you can do it without anything. Dish and so self-sufficient. If it was cooked simply with lemon and onions, then you can serve mackerel baked in the oven with lemon: rice porridge, boiled potatoes (or mashed potatoes), vegetable salad (for example, cucumbers with tomatoes), lettuce or sliced sweet peppers different colors. From drinks, white or red dry wine should be preferred.

Mackerel with Lemon: Tricks and Tips

To make the dish truly tasty and worthy of the festive table, follow these recommendations:

1. You need to start cooking mackerel when it is a little frozen. In this case, she will be able to additionally marinate in her own juice.
2. When wrapping fish in foil, make sure that there is an air gap between the product and the product.
3. Place mackerel prepared for baking only in a preheated oven.
4. In order for the fish to be properly saturated with the aroma of spices, try to cook at a temperature of 150 degrees for the first 10-20 minutes.
5. Be sure to increase the temperature at the end of baking. It even be 10-20 degrees higher than the desired value (as indicated in the recipes). And unfold the foil a little more. Then the mackerel will be covered with a fragrant crust.

Following these few tips, you can cook such an amazing dish that the household and guests will lick their fingers and be sure to ask for more, be prepared for this. Bon appetit!