Smoked Mackerel Pilaf

This recipe is my other half's favourite. It is quick and easy and soooo tasty. We should all try to eat more fish like Mackerel as it is super good for you and is also a sustainable fish. See link  http://gu.com/p/24tjd

You will need a large heavy based pan with a tight fitting lid, a small frying pan to toast the spices and a pestle and mortar.

Ingredients   Serves 4


Bunch of spring onions sliced
1 tbspn Groundnut oil
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2cm piece of ginger finely chopped
1 tspn cumin seeds (or powder)
1 tspn coriander seeds (or powder)
1 tspn Garam Masala
1 tspn turmeric
2 to 3 Chillies finely chopped (your choice of hotness - I use birds eye)
1 red pepper, diced
250g Basmati Rice
500ml hot vegetable stock
250g Smoked Mackerel
Juice of 1 lemon
Handful of fresh coriander
50g frozen peas

Method


If you are using whole spices take a dry pan and toast the spices then grind in a pestle and mortar.
Heat oil in the large pan and add all the ground spices, garlic, ginger and chillies and gently fry for a couple of minutes. Add the sliced spring onions and the diced peppers and fry for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the rice to the pan and mix to coat the rice in the spiced oil and fry for a minute or so, stirring constantly to prevent the rice from catching on the bottom of the pan. Pour in the hot vegetable stock and and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to it's lowest setting, cover the pan and cook gently for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid until 15 minutes has passed, as this will release the steam and prevent the rice from cooking. After 15 mins check the rice which should be almost cooked. Add the lemon juice, peas and flaked Mackerel then replace the lid and cook for a further 5 minutes to warm the Mackerel and cook the peas. At the last minute stir in the fresh coriander and serve with Indian bread, homemade Chapatis would be good. Recipe to follow.
I hope you enjoy this delicious, healthy recipe as much as we do!!
Check out the link to Spices Of India you'll never buy expensive Supermarket spices again!!!