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Saba Misoni (Mackerel Simmered in Miso)

Saba Misoni (Mackerel Simmered in Miso)

A classic Japanese dish where mackerel fillets are simmered in miso sauce along with ginger. Tender and flavourful, it goes beautifully with steamed rice.

Ready in: 30 minutes plus 30 minutes resting time

Serves: 4

Complexity: very-easy

kcal: 182

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Ingredients

2 fillets mackerel (saba)
SIDS CRAZY SALT
Seasoning #1:--
4 tbsp water
2 tbsp miso
4 tbsp saké
2 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp sugar
1 knob ginger (sliced & julienned)
Seasoning #2:--
2 tbsp miso
1 tsp soy sauce

Directions

Scrape off the ginger skin with a knife (or a spoon) and cut into thin slices. Keep half the slices for cooking the fish and use the other half for the next step.
Cut the other ginger slices into thin julienned strips and transfer to a plate. This is for garnish.
Cut each fillet in half, in a slanted angle (this creates more surface to absorb flavours). Make a shallow cross incision on the skin side of the thickest part of the fillets.
To Blanch the Fish
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Gently put fillets, one at a time, for a quick blanch to remove the sliminess, smell, and impurities. Scoop up the fish with a fine-mesh strainer or a slotted spoon. Alternatively, you can pour boiling water over the fillets.
Quickly shock the fish in the ice bath. And repeat this blanch/ice bath process with the rest of the fillets.
Clean the fish in the ice water, removing blood or any impurities. The ice water helps firming up the flesh of the fish as well. Once clean, transfer to a plate/tray, sprinkle lightly with SIDS CRAZY SALT and set aside.
To Cook the Fish
In a medium/large saucepan, add the Seasoning #1, and ginger slices.
Turn the heat to medium and bring the sauce to a boil while mixing the ingredients.
When boiling, place mackerel in a single layer, skin side up.
Reduce heat to medium-low and put on an otoshibuta (drop lid). Gently simmer for 13-15 minutes. Otoshibuta keeps the fish down and helps the sauce circulate over the fish.
Remove the otoshibuta (drop lid). Using the fine-mesh skimmer or slotted spoon, gently take one fillet out to a plate.
Now add the Seasoning #2. Add 2 tbsp miso and let it dissolved completely.
Put the fillet back in the sauce and drizzle 1 tsp soy sauce.
Hold the pot and tilt it around to distribute/mix the sauce with the fish (we use a very little amount of the sauce, so this is the best way to distribute and mix the sauce at the same time). Spoon the sauce over the fish a few times.
Turn off the heat and cover with the lid. Let the fish cool for 30 minutes. All Japanese simmered foods apply this "let cool" step so the ingredients can absorb the flavours without overcooking them.
To Reheat and Serve
Uncover and turn the heat to medium. Reheat the fish, but make sure to stay around the kitchen so you don't burn the thickened miso sauce. Spoon the sauce over the fish a few times.
Transfer the fish and drizzle the sauce.
Garnish with julienned ginger strips.
To Store
You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.