Tag Archives: arbequina olive oil

Pan fried mackerel, tomatoes and fresh thyme

Cornish mackerel, pan fried tomatoes and fresh thyme

I picked up a couple of über fresh Cornish mackerel fillets late yesterday morning from the Chelsea Fishmonger in Guildford it was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch so brunch it became.

Sadly the Chelsea Fishmonger is no longer open in Guildford but if you are in Chelsea you can visit them here.

Here’s the recipe:

Splash some olive oil in a pan and when really hot add 6-7 halved small plum or cherry tomatoes , cut side down in the pan . Fry for 5 minutes.

Cut a bunch of fresh thyme, slide the leaves off the stalks and pat them onto the mackerel fillets. Place the mackerel fillets skin side down with the tomatoes: I cooked them for 3-4 minutes, then flipped them over for a couple more minutes. While the fish are cooking bring some water to the boil and poach an egg. I used a freshly laid egg from  Joes Farm Shop at Elm Nursery in Sutton Green.

Put the tomatoes on a plate and top with a handful of rocket leaves. Place the mackerel fillets across each other over the tomatoes and drizzle with a little good olive oil, a sprinkle of smoked sea salt and a twist or two of black pepper. Top with the soft poached egg and serve immediately.

I served this with a spoonful of chilli jam to add a kick – if you don’t have any a splash of balsamic vinegar works a treat.