Grilled Saba – a Simple and Easy Dinner That Tastes Great and is Good For You
Posted on 27. Dec, 2011 by Apollo in Food, Mind & Body
Saba, the Japanese term for Mackerel, is a fish that tastes great and can be prepared simply and quickly on the grill. Another similar fish is the Sanma, which is known in English as either the Pacific Saury or the Pike Mackerel. Whichever mackerel you choose, the fresher the better – look for a fish with clean skin and bright eyes without a fishy smell. Sanmas with yellow coloring on their tails are especially flavorful if you can find them.
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If fresh mackerel is not available, you can often find both Saba and Sanma frozen in Asian markets. While not as good as fresh fish, they are still flavorful and full of healthy Omega-3 oils.
The rich, salty and oily taste of grilled mackerel has a perfect compliment in the fresh, sweet and spicy taste of grated Daikon radish. Rich in Vitamin C and Fiber, this large radish can be found in most Asian groceries and some megamarts. The Korean radish called Lo Bok can also be used as a substitute.
Preparation:
To prepare your mackerel in the oven, start by removing the innards of your fish and giving it a good rinse. For a moister meat, place the fish on a broiler pan perpendicular to the ridges and score the top skin with a knife to allow crisping. If you prefer crispier meat, butterfly the mackerel open to expose all the meat to the grill. In both cases, sprinkle some kosher salt across the fish and put under the broiler on high.
Watch the fish carefully, the oil may spatter and smoke. Once the fish is golden brown and delicious, remove the broiler pan from the oven and let rest. Check inside the fish to make sure it is cooked thoroughly.
To prepare the grated Daikon, slice off a large chunk, then wash and peel the outer skin. Grate the cleaned daikon on a very fine grater – it should be very wet and the consistency of Italian Ice.
To serve the dish, place the fish on a serving plate – or for Sanma, you may want to give each diner their own fish – and give each person a dollop of grated daikon. Add a dash of Soy Sauce to the the daikon and you are ready for a grilled mackerel treat.
Eat a bite of mackerel with a bit of daikon and soy sauce together for the best taste. This simple, easy dish can make a great autumn dinner- just add some rice, Miso soup and a nice side dish of pumpkin for a fantastic autumn meal.
More Information:
Nutrition Information for Mackerel
Nutrition Information for Daikon
