Crispy Fried Mackerel: A Delicious Family Meal

Crispy fried mackerel is a familiar dish in many Vietnamese family meals. With its rich flavor, crispy exterior, and tender, sweet meat, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly satisfying. Let’s explore how to make perfectly crispy fried mackerel with this detailed guide!

Ingredients

• Mackerel: 300g (about 3 slices)
• Passion fruit: 2
• Small onion: 1
• Tomato: 1
• Cucumber: 1
• Minced shallot: 1 tablespoon
• Minced garlic: 1 tablespoon
• Cilantro: 5g
• Tempura flour: 1 packet
• Seasonings: Salt, sugar, pepper, fish sauce, MSG, yellow mustard

Ingredients for crispy fried mackerel

Steps

Preparing the Mackerel

Rinse the mackerel with diluted saltwater, then wash again with clean water and pat dry with paper towels. To remove the fishy smell, marinate the mackerel with yellow mustard for about 15 minutes.

Preparing Other Ingredients

• Cut the passion fruit in half, extract the juice from 1.5 fruits, and separate the seeds from the remaining half.
• Rinse the onion, then dice it. Rinse the cucumber and tomato, remove the seeds, and dice them.
• Pick off any wilted leaves from the cilantro, rinse, and chop finely.

Making the Passion Fruit Sauce

Heat oil in a pan, sauté the minced shallot and garlic until fragrant, then add the onion, cucumber, and tomato, and stir-fry evenly. Next, add the passion fruit juice, 2/3 of the passion fruit seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce. Stir well and adjust the seasoning to taste.

Frying the Mackerel

Coat both sides of the mackerel evenly with tempura flour, then fry in hot oil until golden brown. Once cooked, arrange the mackerel on a plate and drizzle the passion fruit sauce over it. Garnish with cilantro and passion fruit seeds to enhance the dish’s appearance.

Steps to fry crispy mackerel

Tips for Choosing Fresh Mackerel

When selecting fresh mackerel, pay attention to:

• Clear, slightly bulging eyes
• Shiny, unscratched body
• Firm, elastic flesh when gently pressed
• Bright pink or red gills

For frozen mackerel, choose those with shiny skin, no color changes, and no peeling.

Conclusion

Crispy fried mackerel with passion fruit sauce is a perfect blend of the tangy, refreshing sauce and the crispy, aromatic fish. This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it ideal for family meals. With the detailed instructions above, we hope you’ll confidently head to the kitchen and successfully prepare this enticing crispy fried mackerel dish!

Wishing you success and enjoyable meals with your family!