Fried Tempered Mackerel is a tantalizing seafood dish that combines the rich flavors of mackerel fish with a medley of aromatic spices and a delightful crunch from frying. This dish is a culinary masterpiece that showcases the fusion of textures and tastes, making it a favorite among seafood enthusiasts worldwide.

The star of the dish is the mackerel, a fatty and flavorful fish known for its robust taste and high nutritional value. To prepare Fried Tempered Mackerel, the mackerel fillets are first marinated in a blend of spices and seasonings. This marinade typically includes a mixture of chili powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and sometimes curry leaves and pandan leaves. The fish is left to absorb these bold flavors, infusing it with a spicy and aromatic profile.

Fried tempered mackerel is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be served in various ways. Here are some serving ideas…

Steamed Rice: Serve the fried tempered mackerel with parippu curry (lentil curry) and a generous portion of steamed white or brown rice. The mackerel’s spiciness pairs beautifully with the mildness of rice.

Bread or Roti: Accompany the mackerel with soft and fluffy bread or crispy roti. These Indian flatbreads are great for soaking up the flavorful tempered spices.

Fresh Salad: Create a refreshing side salad with a mix of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette. The salad’s freshness complements the rich and spicy mackerel.

Rice and Lentils: Create a complete meal by serving the mackerel with parippu curry (lentil curry) and steamed rice. This combination offers a balanced mix of flavors and textures.

Fried tempered mackerel served with milk rice is also a delightful combination that brings together the bold flavors of the mackerel with the creamy, comforting texture of milk rice.

I’d love to share my favorite meal featuring Fried Tempered Mackerel with hot, fluffy white steamed rice, a refreshing cucumber salad, zesty coconut sambol, perfectly tempered potatoes, and crispy papadam. It’s a heavenly combination that never fails to make my taste buds dance with delight. Just thinking about it has me drooling – it’s that good!

Remember that the choice of side dishes can vary based on your personal preference. These serving ideas are designed to complement the fried tempered mackerel and create a well-rounded and satisfying meal. Enjoy exploring different combinations to find your favorite way to enjoy this dish!

Print Recipe

Fried Tempered Mackerel

Author: SanduniK Cooking Method: Deep Frying, Frying, Sauteing, Simmering Cuisine: Sri Lankan Courses: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 25 mins

Servings: 6

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Fried Tempered Mackerel is a sumptuous seafood dish that marries the robust flavors of mackerel with a tantalizing blend of spices and a crispy texture. Whether enjoyed as a main course or part of a larger meal, this dish offers a memorable dining experience that combines the best of taste, texture, and aroma.

Ingredients

Servings

For Marinating the Mackerel:

• 1 Large Tin Mackerel (Or 4 fresh mackerel fillets)
• 2 tsp Chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
• ¹⁄₂ tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• ¹⁄₂ tsp Pepper
• ¹⁄₂ Lime or Lemon -Optional (Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon)

For Frying:

• Any preferred oil for frying

For Tempering:

• 2 tbsp Oil
• Curry Leaves
• Pandan Leaves
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Sliced capsicums-Optional
• 2 Sliced Green Chilies
• 1 Sliced Ghost Pepper-Optional
• 2 Sliced Large Onions
• ¹⁄₄ Sliced Tomato (Or 2-3 Cherry Tomatoes)
• 2 tsp Chili Flakes
• ¹⁄₂ tsp Pepper
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp Salt to taste
• 3 tbsp Tuna brine reserved for the tempering

Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients.

   

2. Clean the tin mackerel fillets by removing any cartilage dry them with paper towels. Gently break them into two pieces per fillet, being cautious as tin mackerel can be quite fragile. Place these pieces on a flat plate to prepare for marination.

   

3. Create the marinade by generously sprinkling chili powder, turmeric powder, black pepper, salt, and a drizzle of lemon juice over the mackerel pieces. Once the fillets are fully seasoned, allow them to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes.

   Take your time to ensure even coverage, gently rubbing the marinade into the fish while handling it with care to avoid breakage.

4. Heat oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. You'll need enough oil to submerge the mackerel fillets. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the marinated mackerel fillets, one at a time.

   
   Be cautious, as the oil may splatter.

5. Fry the mackerel fillets for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy.

   

6. Remove the fried mackerel fillets from the oil and place them on a plate

   
   Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

7. In the same pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat and add minced garlic cloves, pandan leaves and curry leaves and fry them.

   
   Be cautious, as the oil may splatter.

8. Then, add the sliced onions, sliced capsicums and sliced tomato to the pan and mix them well.

   

9. After that, add chili Flakes, salt and pepper and mix them well for 2-3 minutes.

   

10. Then, add sliced green chilies and sliced ghost pepper and fry them.

    

11. Next add Tuna brine and mix them well.

    

12. Fry the tempering spices for another 3-4 minutes until the mixture become dry.

    

13. Finally add the fried mackerel and mix them carefully with the mixture.

    

14. Fried Tempered Mackerel is best served hot with steamed rice, bread, paratha, naan bread, or your favorite side dishes. Enjoy your homemade Fried Tempered Mackerel with its crispy exterior and flavorful, spicy seasoning!

Keywords: Freid Tin Mackerel. Tin Mackerel, Mackerel, Fried Tempered Tin Mackerel, Fried Tempered Mackerel, Salmon Thel dala, Salmon Themparaduwa, samon thel dala, samon themparaduwa