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Mackerel, Pickle and Sheep Yoghurt

The Mackerel, Pickle and Sheep Yoghurt was presented during the European Young Chef Award 2017, a competition organized by IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism) which sees Young Chefs coming from European Regions of Gastronomy compete inside the kitchens of a Culinary Arts School focusing on the theme: Innovation on Tradition.

Developed by Aisling Rock, the Young Chef winner of the 2017 edition, and inspired by Galway Bay’s ongoing tradition of Mackerel fishing in an attempt to valorize this local product.

Recipe

Crispy mackerel belly

Mix salt, sugar and dill together and cure the belly for 20 minutes, then wash and dry. Burn hay to ash and pass through a sieve. Coat the belly in buttermilk then in the hay ash, and fry gently until golden.

Cured mackerel – Blowtorched

Mix sea salt from Achill Island, caster sugar, lemon zest, lemon thyme, juniper berry, together except the mackerel.  Place on the mackerel and cure in the fridge for 30 – 40 minutes.  Wash off, Path Dry. Blowtorch skin side up.

Sheep milk yoghurt

Blend distilled water with Algin one day before use.

Mix yoghurt, lime zest and juice and lemon thyme together. Using a Parisian scoop make balls and put into Algin Water mix. After a minute, take out and place into the fresh distilled water until needed.

Pickling liquid

Bring water with cider vinegar, caster sugar, lemon thyme, garlic, clove, juniper berry, bay leaf, cardamom pod. Bring all ingredients to the boil very slowly, leave to cool and strain.

Raw and pickled vegetable salad

For the pickled veg mix cucumber, courgette, carrot, beetroot. For the raw veg mix fennel, baby gem, red and yellow chicory, rocket, candied beet and stumpy carrot. Finally for the garnish mix rocket leaf, Radish and fresh horseradish.

Arrange the Mackerel on a plate, dress with the set yoghurt and garnish with the raw and pickled salad.

Source: IGCAT – European Young Chef Awards 2017, Region of Gastronomy

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Crispy Mackerel Belly

  • Mackerel Belly x5 pieces
  • Hay 2 bunches
  • Buttermilk 200ml
  • Brown Sugar 250g
  • Sea Salt 250g
  • Dill, Fresh, Chopped 1 bunch

Cured Mackerel – Blow Torched

  • Mackerel Fillets 6
  • Sea Salt, Achill Island 100g
  • Caster Sugar 100g
  • Lemon Zest 1
  • Lemon Thyme, Leaves Few Sprigs
  • Juniper Berry, Crushed 2

Sheep Milk Yoghurt

  • Sheep Milk Yoghurt 100g
  • Algin 2.5g
  • Distilled Water 500ml
  • Lemon Thyme, Chopped Few Sprigs
  • Lime Juice half
  • Lime Zest Half

Pickling Liquid

  • Water 900ml
  • Cider Vinegar 600ml
  • Caster Sugar 300g
  • Lemon Thyme Bunch
  • Garlic, Clove 1
  • Juniper Berry 2
  • Bay Leaf 2
  • Cardamom Pod 1

Raw and Pickled Vegetable Salad

  • Pickled Veg – Cucumber, Courgette, Carrot, Beetroot
  • Raw Veg – Fennel, Baby Gem, Red + Yellow Chicory, Rocket, Candied Beet, Stumpy Carrot,
  • Garnish – Rocket Leaf, Radish, Fresh Horseradish

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