Ingredients
Method
Prepare the mackerel
- Pat the mackerel completely dry inside and out with paper towels.
- Using a sharp knife, cut three diagonal slashes through the skin on each side of the fish, cutting down to the bone.
- Rub the fish all over with olive oil, then season with sea salt and black pepper, including inside the cavity.
- Squeeze a little lemon juice over the outside of the fish and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
Make the gooseberry sauce
- Place the gooseberries, water, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and collapse. Crush them lightly with the back of a spoon - leave it rough rather than smooth.
- Stir in the butter and grated ginger, if using. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Taste and add more sugar if the sauce is very sharp. Keep the sauce warm over very low heat while you grill the fish.
Grill the mackerel
- Preheat a cast-iron grill pan or outdoor grill over high heat for at least 5 minutes until very hot.
- Place the mackerel on the grill and do not move them. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin is charred at the score marks and the fish releases cleanly from the grate.
- Flip carefully using a fish spatula and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side until the flesh near the backbone is opaque and an instant-read thermometer reads 63 C / 145 F.
- Transfer to a warm plate and rest for 2 minutes.
Serve
- Spoon the warm gooseberry sauce alongside or over the mackerel.
- Serve with lemon wedges and your choice of greens or new potatoes.
Notes
If whole mackerel isn't available, use four skin-on fillets (about 180 g each) and reduce grill time to 4 minutes skin-side down, 2 minutes flesh-side. The sauce recipe is the same.
