Mackerel 1st attempt

Here we go.  Never had it.  Left it whole on ice all night.   I knew it was urgent to process by now.  I cut off the head and pulled the guts out with it.  Filleted, skinned and removed all blood line.  Meat still red and appearing gamey.  Was gonna pop it in the fridge but hadn’t eaten yet so here comes protein breakfast.  Marinate in sesame oil, shoyu, salt pepper and mirin. All splashes maybe 1 Tbls of each, s & p, couple cranks,  5 minutes.  Avocado oil and cast iron.  Lay in fillets, flip after I minute, leave on more 1 minute then pull.  I just say, broke my mout' onolicious kine, not fishy at all and I bet my bride would mack it.  Pun intended?  Yes, I was contemplating rice but fuggedabouddit.  Coulda topped with fresh green onion if I had it.  Wish I caught more now.  Was gonna mack it all down but saved a portion for da wifey for a taste test.  great bag of scaps fo da crab jar...Bon appetit’!

YUM!!! That sounds and looks fantastic!! I'll have to give this one a go

yum, recipe sounds right.  I leave the skin on.

yum, recipe sounds right.  I leave the skin on.

I hear ya'.  Like a striper as I suspected, there is a major bloodline there and I removed it cuz that's where that "other" umami(that gamey fishy goodness for some) is generated.  My bride would reject it and may reject other offerings if I don't take care of business on knowing her tastes.

yum, recipe sounds right.  I leave the skin on.

I hear ya'.  Like a striper as I suspected, there is a major bloodline there and I removed it cuz that's where that "other" umami(that gamey fishy goodness for some) is generated.  My bride would reject it and may reject other offerings if I don't take care of business on knowing her tastes.

I gut, gill, bleed on the boat, and eat pretty much when I get home.  I cut the fish in half, leave the bones in.  Season or marinade, and cook - trying to get the skin crisp if I can.  I pull the bones out, and pick around any really dark meat.  We like them, and the oil is supposed to be good for you.

Looking delicious!  Thanks for the pictures Eddie.

Looks good!

Similar to what I did, I filleted them cut out the pin bones.  Marinated in soy, sesame oil and broiled on high flesh side up.  Ate with coconut rice and veggies.  Very good.

I was trying to target them at HMB but it was really sporadic where I'd find them.  Wasn't able to find large schools just passing fish.

I'd love to be able to catch a boat load of them and smoke/can them.

Looks good!

Similar to what I did, I filleted them cut out the pin bones.  Marinated in soy, sesame oil and broiled on high flesh side up.  Ate with coconut rice and veggies.  Very good.

I was trying to target them at HMB but it was really sporadic where I'd find them.  Wasn't able to find large schools just passing fish.

I'd love to be able to catch a boat load of them and smoke/can them.

Yes, over a herring any day.

Convincing enough for me! I’ll be keeping any macs and trying this out

Doesn't look bad!  Reminds me I wanted to try and catch and cook them off the wharf this year, but barely fished from it.  Friend of mine swears by pickling them, I couldn't stand it though 

Wife verdict…drumroll…victory!  I called her to tell her to eat that fish.  Before I could tell her she said, “I ate your fish.  It was yummy.”  She thought it was halibut.  That’s a good sign.  I’ll make an Asian out of her some way…

Looks good! Mackerel are way under-appreciated.

I've only had the pacifics with the green squiggles on their backs but love them. They grill up nicely like sardines. Sadly, nothing would touch my sabiki when I was out at HMB over the weekend. I was hoping to make live bait for halibut, but also to get some macks to bring home for the grill.

Cheers,
Brad

Wife verdict…drumroll…victory!  I called her to tell her to eat that fish.  Before I could tell her she said, “I ate your fish.  It was yummy.”  She thought it was halibut.  That’s a good sign.  I’ll make an Asian out of her some way…

Interesting - thought it was Halibut? What is your take on that comparo Eddie?

Oh yeah that's the stuff, I prefer it skin on and grilled/burnt so it's a little bitter topped with daikon and shoyu. This is also great with sardines and other oily bait fish, good for the fishery and good for you!