Mackerel with Oil, Lemon, and Parsley

Mackerel with lemon and parsley is a light and flavorful dish, very simple to prepare. It is perfect for a summer meal or when you’re looking for something tasty but not too heavy.

Ingredients

• 4 fresh mackerel fillets
• 2 lemons (juice and grated zest)
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh parsley
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Rinse the mackerel fillets well under cold running water and pat them dry with paper towels.
3. Take a baking tray and line it with parchment paper. Arrange the fillets on the tray skin-side down.
4. Season the fillets with salt and black pepper to your taste.
5. Drizzle the fillets with extra virgin olive oil, making sure to cover them well.
6. Sprinkle the juice and grated zest of the lemons over the top.
7. Finely chop the fresh parsley and distribute it evenly over the mackerel fillets.
8. Bake and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the fish is cooked and flakes easily with a fork.
9. Once ready, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosities

Mackerel is a blue fish highly appreciated in cooking for its bold flavor and nutritional properties. Rich in Omega-3, proteins, and vitamins, mackerel is excellent consumed both fresh and preserved in oil or in brine.

If you want to give the dish a more Italian touch, you can add a splash of balsamic vinegar or some chopped Taggiasca olives before baking the fillets. These ingredients will complement the flavor of the dish with an extension of typical Italian cuisine flavors.