Grilled Whole Mackerel With Lemon Oregano And Olives Recipes

GRILLED WHOLE MACKEREL WITH LEMON, OREGANO, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Whisk together zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste, then add olive oil in a stream, whisking until combined well. Whisk in olives and chopped oregano.
• Make 1-inch-long slits at 2-inch intervals down middle of fish on both sides with a sharp paring knife, then brush fish all over with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Season fish cavity with salt and pepper, then evenly distribute 3 lemon rounds and 3 oregano sprigs in cavity. Close cavity, then evenly arrange remaining 3 lemon rounds and 3 oregano sprigs on top of fish and tie fish closed with string at 2-inch intervals, securing lemon slices and oregano sprigs to fish.
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderate.
• Grill fish on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using gas grill, 15 minutes. Turn fish over using a metal spatula and tongs, then grill until just cooked through, about 15 minutes more.
• Transfer fish to a large platter using 2 metal spatulas, then cut and discard string. Serve fish with sauce.

MACKEREL WITH LEMON OLIVE OIL AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Make the oil: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil and lemon zest until you see the first tiny bubble appear on the side of the pan. Immediately turn off heat. You don't want the mixture to simmer.
• Let infuse for at least 20 minutes (and preferably an hour) before using; you do not have to strain it. Oil can be made up to a month in advance. Store in a sealed jar at room temperature.
• When ready to prepare the fish, heat oven to 425 degrees. Place the basil leaves on a rimmed baking dish and arrange fish on top. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper, then drizzle the lemon oil over the fillets. Top with olives. Scatter tomatoes around the pan.
• Roast until the fish is just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes for thin fillets and up to 12 minutes for thick fillets.
• Cut naked lemon into wedges. Serve fish drizzled with more lemon oil, garnished with lemon wedges and torn basil leaves.

WHOLE GRILLED MACKEREL

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high (if using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 or 4 seconds). Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes in skin on both sides of fish. Open fish like a book. Season inside with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil. Thinly slice 1 lemon; arrange lemon and thyme sprigs over 1 side of fish. Close fish, and rub oil all over skin.
• Grill fish until skin is charred on 1 side, about 10 minutes. Carefully turn fish; cover, and cook until flesh inside is opaque, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer fish to a platter, and open like a book. Drizzle with oil and juice from remaining lemon.

GRILLED MACKEREL WITH ONIONS, OLIVES AND PESTO DRIZZLE

Steps:

• In a pan, heat a tablespoon olive oil.
• Add finely sliced onions, fennel and garlic.
• Cook until the onions and fennel start to soften (get shiny) and add olives, parsley, ground fennel seeds and a pinch of pepper.
• Rub a pinch of salt into the skin of each fish fillet.
• Under a hot, preheated grill, grill the fish, skin side up, until skin is crispy.
• Mix 1 teaspoon pesto with 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Serve fish topped with the onion and olive mixture and drizzle with pesto/olive oil.
• The dish goes well with fries or baked potato and roast vegetables such as roast tomatoes.

GRILLED TOMATOES WITH OREGANO AND LEMON

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium-high. In a small bowl, combine garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Halve tomatoes crosswise and brush cut sides with 2 tablespoons oil. Place, cut side down, on grill. Grill until lightly charred, about 4 minutes. With a metal spatula, flip tomatoes and grill until skins blister and begin to char, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer tomatoes to a serving platter, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oregano-lemon oil. Serve tomatoes warm or at room temperature.