Mackerel with Orange
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Energy Kcal 592
- Carbohydrates g 6.9
- of which sugars g 6.9
- Protein g 41.2
- Fats g 44.4
- of which saturated fat g 8.84
- Fiber g 1.5
- Cholesterol mg 228
- Sodium mg 808
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 6 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Average
- Note + 2 h of marinating in the fridge
PRESENTATION
Mackerel with orange, oh, it's a classic from Southern Italy that really captures what Mediterranean cuisine is all about. Fresh, bright flavors that just, you know, naturally blend together. And the combination of mackerel recipes with oranges? Seriously, it's something special you'll stumble upon along the Italian coast. Oranges are everywhere—zest in risotto, refreshing drinks. Plus, when we talk about citrus mackerel, the firm texture of the fish really absorbs the aromatic citrus—making each bite so so tangy and flavorful. I mean, the zesty orange adds a sweet and fresh twist that’s just perfect with seafood. Especially when the fish is moist—which is awesome—and cooked just right. Serving it with a crunchy salad of artichokes or fennel? Yeah, adds a crisp bite and a bit of bitterness to balance that sweetness of the orange.
So here's the thing, in Southern Italy, using citrus in healthy fish recipes is like a tradition passed down forever. Folks by the Mediterranean Sea, they know dishes like orange glazed mackerel or grilled mackerel with a splash of orange juice—super tasty, quick meals packed with flavor and omega-3s. The fish itself has this tender texture and bold taste, perfectly matched with citrus, so the flavors blend beautifully. It’s pretty much a cozy yet refreshing dish. People love experimenting, maybe more zest or throwing in some orange salsa for extra brightness. For sure, these mackerel recipes offer a meal that feels light but satisfying. Try swapping sides or adding extra herbs—no question, it's hard to go wrong with such fresh and vivid ingredients from the Italian coast.
You might also like:
INGREDIENTS
- Mackerel 2.6 lbs (1200 g) - (4 whole)
- Orange peel 1
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- for the marinade
- Orange juice 2
- Extra virgin olive oil 4 tbsp (60 g)
- Dill 4 sprigs
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Ground black pepper 1 spoonful
- Fine salt 1 spoonful
How to prepare Mackerel with Orange
To make the orange mackerel, first, clean the fish: cut the lateral fins 1, slit the belly with a knife and gut it 2, then rinse under running water to clean it 3.
Now make diagonal cuts on the sides 4 and set aside. Prepare the marinade ingredients: crush the peppercorns with the back of the spoon to release their aroma better 5, then squeeze the orange juice 6.
Peel and thinly slice the garlic 7. Grease a baking dish with oil, place the mackerel on top, and drizzle more oil over them 8, add the peppercorns 9,
salt 10, scent with the dill sprigs 11, and flavor with the garlic slices 12.
Finally, pour half of the orange juice over the fish 13, cover with plastic wrap 14, and let marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator. After marinating, proceed to cooking: heat a pan with a drizzle of olive oil, and when it's hot, place the fillets in 15.
Cook them over high heat for 4 minutes without touching them, then turn them over, pour the remaining orange juice over them 16, and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Once the sauce has thickened and the mackerel are well flavored 17, serve them immediately, garnishing with grated orange zest on top 18.