INTRODUCTION
Mackerel is a well-known fish in West Africa, particularly Nigeria. It is commonly known as "ICE FISH".
Today, I have set out some procedures I use in making this tasty "fried ice fish" stew.
I hope you try out this procedures and share your experience.
INGREDIENTS
- Bouillon cube (star maggi 4)
- Salt (a tablespoon)
- Onions (1 large bulbs)
- Fresh Red Bell Pepper (8 medium size)
- Mackerel Fish
- Vegetable Oil (40cl)
- Curry Powder (1 Teaspoon)
- Thyme Spice (1 Teaspoon)
- Fresh Red Bell Tomatoes (15 large sizes)
- Processed Tomato paste (210g)
PROCESSES
pre-cooking
- Clean up and wash your fresh mackerel fish, then pour boiled water on them.
Drain the water after 4 minutes. - Wash and blend your fresh red bell tomatoes with a little quantity of water.
- Blend your fresh red bell pepper
- Chop your onions and open your processed tomatoes paste tins or sachet.
cooking
Steam your fish by adding ¾ the bouillon cubes, pepper, onions, salt as mentioned in the ingredients section. Allow to cook for 30 minutes.
After steaming your fish, remove your fish from the stock.
Under a medium heat, pour 30cl of your vegetable oil into a clean and dry pan. Allow to heat for 3 minutes then introduce your steam fish.
While frying your fish, use a clean dry pot to start making your stew.
Pour the remaining 10cl of your vegetable oil and add a pinch of salt. Allow to heat for 2 minutes.
Add your remaining ¼ chopped onions and stir for a minute.
Add your tin/sachet tomato paste and stir for 5 minutes.
Add your blended tomato paste, stir and allow to boil for 30 minutes.
Add your fish stock, curry and thyme. Stir and allow to boil for 15 minutes.
Add your fried mackerel fish into your stew mixture. Stir and put off the flame.
Bon appetite.
SERVE
ECONOMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Since most people in the African space can afford the mackerel fish easily than white meat, it is less burdensome financially to make a large portion of stew with this fish.
Most fish are known to have less saturated fat than meat, hence friendlier to the functioning of the heart and blood vessels than other animal proteins.
Finally, processed or well cooked tomatoes have lots of carotenoids which help maintain the health of our eyes.