mackerel Archives - Page 3 of 3

J-Basket Saba Kabayaki

Found this J-Basket Saba Kabayaki at a local Asian Market. Most if not all of their tinned fish selections are seasoned in one way or another. Kabayaki, as you may recall, is grilling and glazing with a sweet/savory sauce. This saba (mackerel) was under $3. It appears to also be sold in an otherwise identical can branded Wel-Pac.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 3.5/5.

The can was packed reasonably full, with a little bit of space. Once again, the kabayaki treatment has given the fish a brownish beige tint. The aroma is not overtly fishy. Because of the preparation, the taste is about the same as the Choshita brand of saury/sanma I tried previously, but the fish is a bit chewier. There is some skin, and bones soft enough to not be crunchy.

I think when the various cans of kabayaki style fish I have on hand are gone, I'm probably done with the whole kabayaki thing. And I actually wonder if there are any Japanese tinned fish products that aren't pre-seasoned in some way. Honestly, I'd rather the taste of the fish. Good experience, though.

Brand: J-Basket
Description: Saba (Mackerel) Kabayaki
Species: Pacific mackerel
Country of Origin: Japan
Source: FAO61, Northwest Pacific
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.5 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Nuri Spiced Mackerel Fillets in Olive Oil

DeenLeave a comment

I guess I'm on a bit of a mackerel kick lately. These sounded good, Nuri Spiced Mackerel Fillets in Olive Oil. There needs to be a distinction made between "spicy" and "spiced". It seems that, in the world of tinned fish, "spiced" doesn't necessarily mean "hot". So, even though there are a bunch of red peppers on the label, that's not what's really going on here.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

The score is based on a full packing of fish, a clean look to the olive oil, and the aroma of the spices wafting up from the just-opened can. A sip of the oil gives a subtle preview of the infused spices.

The meat is tender, the fillets breaking apart somewhat easily as they are extracted from the tin. The texture is reminiscent of tuna, but the flavor more mild.

Spicing Things Up

I have seen video of the Pinhais packing operation in Matosinhos, Portugal. The empty cans move down a conveyor belt with several ladies seated on either side. As the cans move past, they toss a variety of things into them: small, thin slices of carrot and cucumber; peppercorn and whole clove; and one small red chilli. Meanwhile, another lady is scissor-snipping bay leaves cross-wise into small strips, and one of those pieces is tossed into each can as well.

In Summary

Of all the spices, the bay and clove are most evident, the pepper not so much. They're all underneath the fish, so that's why you don't see them in the photo. An interesting flavor combination with the richness of the mackerel. These were good, I'd try them again.

Brand: Pinhais/Nuri
Description: Spiced Mackerel in Olive Oil
Species: Mackerel
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $8

King Oscar Royal Fillets Mackerel in Olive Oil

DeenLeave a comment

Banking on the KO reputation, I tried this King Oscar Mackerel in Olive Oil. The presentation here is similar to the KO Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, chunks of meat.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

Can packed full of large pieces of mackerel. Nice fish aroma. Not sure what those indentations are in the top of the meat, they weren't made by the can lid. It's not a grilled product, so I'll have to guess it's something to do with handling during canning.

A different presentation from the slices in the Cole's tried previously. And I found this to be more tender than that of the Thai Chili Sauce version, which I had likened to pulled pork in texture.

My intent was to taste this one with some Salsa Espinaler on hand in case I found it to be too bland, but am glad I didn't. The fish here is very mild and rich, and stands well on its own. At under $3 a can, a definite mackerel re-buy.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Mackerel in Olive Oil
Species: North Atlantic mackerel
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.05 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Cole’s Wild Mackerel in Olive Oil

DeenLeave a comment

Tried this Cole's Wild Mackerel in Olive Oil to compare to the King Oscar Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chile Sauce. In contrast to the Cole's Mussels, they are packed in what appears to be completely olive oil. I know this because, for the second time in as many days, the recoil of the lid finally giving way resulted in a big sploosh all over my shirt.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

Compared to the King Oscar, the texture is quite different, more tender. There are several slices of skinless boneless meat, which appear to be cut across the grain. That made them readily fall apart when trying to get them out of the can.

I ate this without condiments or crackers, in order to get a sense of the taste and texture. I'll try this one again with some Espinaler sauce or harissa. While very good, mackerel by itself can be a bit bland. Nutrition facts say 170 calories per can, which I find suspicious, being it's in olive oil. The King Oscar in olive oil (which I haven't tried yet) is listed as 240 calories at roughly the same serving size.

Brand: Cole's Seafood
Description: Wild Mackerel in Olive Oil
Species: North Atlantic chub mackerel
Country of Origin: Cape Verde, West Africa
Source: FAO34, East Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $3

King Oscar Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

DeenLeave a comment

Mackerel is always a welcome change of pace. And this King Oscar Mackerel in Sweet Thai Chili Sauce fits the bill nicely. I don't remember where I got this, but seems like it was around $2.50.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

The can is packed reasonably full. As with the King Oscar Mackerel in Olive Oil, the meat is in chunks, not sliced or fillets like other brands. The pieces of meat are kind of fused together. No real aroma to speak of. The deep red sauce is mildly sweet with just a fleeting touch of heat.

Firmer than canned tuna, the texture more like barbecue pulled pork. I'd wager that if I offered you a bite on a cracker and told you it was barbecue pork, or even char siu pork, you wouldn't disagree. A definite re-buy.

See it on Amazon. Sold in lots of 12 only, but that puts them under $2.75 a can. Still a bargain.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Mackerel in Thai Chili Sauce
Species: North Atlantic mackerel
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.05 oz.
Price Range: $2-3