MasterChef winner Dhruv Baker has created a showstopper menu for delicious. This mackerel dish is his light, fresh starter.
Ingredients
- 2 raw beetroot, sliced thinly
- on a mandoline
- 2 whole mackerel, filleted (you can ask your fishmonger to do this) and pin-boned
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 200ml double cream
- 50g fresh horseradish, grated (or use English Provender Co Hot Horseradish, widely available)
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Small bunch of fresh dill to garnish
For the beetroot marinade
- 250ml ruby port
- 250ml malt vinegar
- 125g caster sugar
- 3 bay leaves
- 10 black peppercorns
Method
- 1. Mix the marinade ingredients in a saucepan with 200ml water, then reduce by three-quarters over a medium heat. Cool slightly, then add the beetroot. Cool completely, then cover with cling film and chill in the fridge until needed.
- 2. Cut each mackerel fillet into 3 pieces. Season, then heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry, skin-side down, for about 3 minutes. Turn over carefully and cook for a further minute or so. Place on kitchen roll to remove the excess oil, then set aside.
- 3. Whisk the cream to soft peaks, then stir through the horseradish. Add the lemon juice, then season.
- 4. To serve, remove the beetroot from the marinade and arrange on 4 serving plates. Add 3 pieces of mackerel per plate and top with a spoonful of the horseradish cream. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately.
Nutritional info
Per serving: 571kcals, 28.9g fat (11.2g saturated), 15.6g protein, 44.6g carbs, 42.1g sugar, 0.3g salt
Chef's tip
There’ll be leftover horseradish cream. It and the beetroot will keep, chilled, for 3 days.
Wine Recommendation
Mackerel can clash with wine, but a crisp, dry, unoaked white will go well. A premium vinho verde from Portugal, or a refreshing Italian white such as Soave or Verdicchio, will be fab.