Whole Roasted Mackerel

whole roasted mackerel
Photo: Johnny Miller
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
6

Serve with cooked whole grains, such as couscous, bulgur, or barley.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole Spanish mackerel (about 2 pounds), cleaned, head and tail left intact

  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced

  • 6 sprigs thyme

  • 6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley

  • 12 fresh chives

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Using a sharp knife, make a few slashes in skin on both sides of fish. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle fish on both sides with oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange a few lemon slices in cavity, and tuck the rest underneath fish. Tuck a handful of herbs into cavity; coarsely chop remainder and sprinkle over fish. Roast until fish is opaque and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

  2. To serve, use a thin-bladed knife to cut fillet free from top side of fish. Gently transfer fillet to a cutting board with a spatula. Starting from the tail, slowly lift spine to separate it from bottom fillet. Slice each fillet crosswise into three portions; serve.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, April 2017

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