I took a notion with some leftover stuffing last week and made this and it was lovely, moist and rich. It brought me right back to sister Carmel’s home economics class in my convent school many years ago. Only she used breadcrumb stuffing instead of gluten-free chestnut stuffing. If you want, you can make the stuffing (posted last week) using gluten-free brown breadcrumbs instead of the chestnut. It works just as well provided you add enough oil or butter to moisten the crumbs so they will stick together when pressed with your hand.
For 2
1 1/2 -2 cups of my chestnut stuffing (you don’t have to be exact here)
2 fresh mackerel fillets
I roasting tin, pyrex dish or baking sheet
A little oil to grease
- Preheat the oven to 200C and grease the tin (just the merest hint of oil to prevent the fish sticking).
- Cut the mackerel fillets in half across the fish (not lengthways).
- Lay one half of each fillet skin side down in the tin, top with half the stuffing. Lay the second half on top of each, skin side up this time.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of your fillets. When done, the point of a skewer or sharp knife will slip easily through the flesh once you have pierced the skin. You want the fish still moist and juicy and not dried out.
Serve with:
Steamed green vegetables and carrots topped with a knob of virgin coconut oil, a drizzle of lemon juice or a glug of extra virgin olive oil.
Why this recipe is good for you:
Mackerel is a great source of vitality-boosting omega 3 oils and baking it rather than frying preserves the omega 3 benefits. Herbs and spices are a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory substances that promote health. Hundreds of thousands of high quality research papers now show that herbs have powerful effects for good on your health – from delaying aging, to helping heal an inflamed digestive system, to even helping your liver cope with too much rich food (and drink). Chestnuts are low GI (low in natural sugars), making them a healthier option than breadcrumbs.