Preparation
10 minutes
Cooking
30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Braised mackerel with tomatoes is a braised dish that is delicious, flavorful, with a sweet and sour taste that is very appetizing. This dish should be included in the family meal menu to enhance the meal’s flavor. Let’s join TasteVN in the kitchen to make this attractive dish right away.
Ingredients for Braised Mackerel with Tomatoes For 4 people
Mackerel 1 fish (about 500g) Tomatoes 3 fruits Green onions 3 stalks Shallots 1 bulb Fish sauce 2 tablespoons Cooking oil 2 tablespoons Common spices a little (Salt/ sugar/ seasoning powder/ monosodium glutamate/ ground pepper)
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh mackerel
- You can identify fresh fish by observing the eyes; if the eyes are clear and slightly bulging, it indicates that the fish is fresh. Avoid fish with sunken and cloudy eyes, as this is a sign that the fish has been refrigerated for many days.
- Check the gills; if they are bright red and firmly attached to the body of the fish, it indicates that the flesh is still fresh.
- Fresh and good mackerel will have a flat belly; you can feel this by gently pressing the fish with your hand; if the flesh is still firm and elastic, the fish is still fresh and delicious.
How to choose fresh and delicious tomatoes
- When buying tomatoes, you should select those that are firm and plump with a bright red color, evenly colored, and emit a light, characteristic fragrance.
- Freshly picked tomatoes will have the stems tightly attached to the top of the fruit. Prioritize purchasing medium-sized tomatoes, not too large or too small, as oversized ones may have thick flesh, making them less tasty when cooked.
- Avoid choosing tomatoes that are bruised, unevenly ripened, have fallen stems, or show signs of insect damage or wrinkled skin, and feel soft and mushy when touched.
How to cook Mackerel stew with tomatoes
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Prepare the mackerel
To save time on preparation, you can ask the seller to clean the fish and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
To eliminate the fishy smell of mackerel, use a little salt to rub directly on it, then rinse 2 – 3 times with water until clean and let it drain.
Tips to eliminate the fishy smell of mackerel
- Method 1: Soak the fish in rice water for about 15 – 20 minutes, then rinse again with water. The fishy smell will be significantly reduced.
- Method 2: Crush ginger and slice it, then add it to the water to soak with the fish for about 5 minutes.
- Method 3: Squeeze lemon juice into warm water, then soak the fish for about 5 – 7 minutes, which is also an effective way to eliminate the fishy smell.
See details: Tips to eliminate the fishy smell of mackerel
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Prepare the ingredients
Wash the tomatoes, remove the stems, and cut them into wedges. Peel the shallots and chop them finely.
Trim the green onions, discard any wilted leaves, wash them clean, and cut them into pieces about the length of one finger. Separate the green onion tops from the white parts.
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Stew the mackerel
Place a pot on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and heat over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped green onion tops and shallots, sautéing until fragrant, then add the tomatoes and stir-fry together.
Stir well until the tomatoes are cooked and slightly thickened, then season the pot with a mixture of spices: 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, and 100ml of clean water.
Mix well to dissolve the spices, then add the fish to the pot, reduce the heat to a simmer, and stew for 20 minutes to let the fish cook slowly and absorb the flavors.
Stew until the liquid in the pot reduces to about half of the original amount. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper to the pot, adjust the seasoning to taste, and finally add the chopped green onion pieces before turning off the heat.
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Final Product
Place the fish on a plate, and you’ve completed the delicious and flavorful braised mackerel with tomatoes, which is visually appealing and has an enticing aroma.
The braised mackerel with tomatoes is rich in flavor, with tender fish meat and the tangy taste of tomatoes making the dish incredibly appetizing.
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Hope the braised mackerel with tomatoes that TasteVN just shared, which is delicious and aromatic, can help you add flavor to your family’s daily meals. Wishing you success!
