Masala mackerel with cumin spiced mushy peas

This dish was the main course that I served in my budget lunch exam accompanied by Maru's bhajia and cumin spiced mushy peas.  The total cost came to £4.59 for four people - although you may want to buy slightly bigger mackerel than Asda were able to provide.

I had never cooked with oily fish before and I was surprised at how well they went with the masala paste - you can still taste the fish through the spices.  Also the tomato garnish looked like jewels on the beautiful blue skin and so I got good feedback for presentation.

The cumin spiced mushy peas are both simple and delicious.  I'm off to make something to eat as I'm making myself hungry!
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 mackerel (or 4 fillets)
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.24 teasapoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground cloves
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon chilli powder
• 0.25 teaspoon turmeric
• 0.5 tablespoon sunflower oil
• 20 grams unsalted butter
• 2 vine tomatoes
• 5 grams coriander
• 20 grams plain flour
• 50 millilitres milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

1. Put the ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, garlic, salt, black pepper, chilli powder, turmeric and sunflower oil into a bowl.  Mix to form a smooth paste.
2. Chop the coriander, garlic and two tomatoes.  Put coriander and tomatoes to one side.  Keep a little coriander in a separate bowl.
3. Fillet and pin bone two mackerel.
4. Coat the mackerel fillets with milk and dip into seasoned flour.
5. Melt 10 g unsalted butter in a frying pan. 
6. Add half of the the masala paste.  Stir and cook for a minute or so.  Add fillets skin side down and cook on both sides.  Remove from the pan.
7. Add the remaining 10g of unsalted butter to the pan and repeat with the remaining paste and fillets.
8. Add the tomatoes, the majority of the coriander and lemon juice to the pan and lightly cook.
9. Pour the tomatoes and coriander over the cooked fish.  Garnish with the reserved coriander.
10. Serve.

For the cumin spiced mushy peas

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 350 grams peas (fresh or frozen)
• 25 grams unsalted butter
• Salt
• Black pepper

Method

1. Put a large pan of water on to boil.
2. Cook the peas until soft.
3. Drain the peas and blend in a processor.  Let down with hot water if required.
4. Melt 25g unsalted butter in a pan.  
5. Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and cook until they sizzle.  Add the peas and seasoning.  
6. Cook for a minute or so.  
7. Switch off the heat.
8. Reheat the peas just prior to serving.