Spicy and Tender Braised Mackerel with Bracken
Braised Bracken with Minced Mackerel from the Freezer
Minced mackerel, when stored in the freezer for too long, can become unpalatable and spoil. That’s why today, we’re making a delicious braised bracken dish using frozen minced mackerel! The bracken is surprisingly more delicious than the mackerel in this dish. Enjoy this flavorful and comforting meal!
Main Ingredients- 2 frozen minced mackerels
- 600g boiled bracken
- 2 cups beer (for deodorizing mackerel)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 1 green onion (chopped)
- 2 red chilies (sliced diagonally)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 2 cups water
Seasoning Ingredients- 4 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 4 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract (or anchovy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp ginger wine (or a pinch of ginger powder)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 4 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract (or anchovy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp ginger wine (or a pinch of ginger powder)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the frozen minced mackerel briefly under running water. Place it in a bowl and pour 2 cups of beer over it to thaw for about 10-20 minutes while preparing other ingredients. (The minced mackerel was cleaned and frozen beforehand.) This step effectively removes any fishy odor.
Step 2
Slice the onion thickly, and chop the green onion. Slice the red chilies diagonally for a splash of color.
Step 3
Rinse the boiled bracken thoroughly and drain it well in a colander. In a bowl, combine the prepared bracken with 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp tuna extract, 2 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp ginger wine, and half of the sliced onion and chopped green onion. Mix well to marinate the bracken. Marinating beforehand allows the bracken to absorb the savory flavors deeply.
Step 4
Heat 1 Tbsp cooking oil and 1 Tbsp perilla oil in a wide pan or pot. Place the marinated bracken at the bottom. Arranging the bracken this way helps the sauce to penetrate evenly later.
Step 5
Drain the mackerel from the beer and arrange it on top of the bracken. Sprinkle the remaining 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes evenly over the mackerel. Finally, arrange the remaining green onion and red chilies attractively on top. Carefully pour in 2 cups of water. Cover the pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 6
Once the liquid boils, reduce the heat to medium-low. Uncover the pan and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the dish is semi-dry. Baste the mackerel and bracken with the simmering sauce periodically using a spoon. This ensures even flavor distribution and keeps the dish moist. Patience is key for achieving the perfect savory consistency!
Step 7
Finally, drizzle the remaining 1 Tbsp of perilla oil around the dish and simmer for another minute before turning off the heat. Transfer the perfectly braised mackerel and bracken to a serving plate. This hearty and flavorful dish is a wonderful main course that pairs perfectly with a bowl of hot rice. Enjoy!
