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Mackerel Vin Blanc
© Melanie Acevedo

Mackerel Vin Blanc

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  • SERVINGS: 4
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In the traditional French version of this dish, mackerel fillets are poached in a flavorful white-wine and vinegar broth and served cold as a first course. Here we suggest them as a hot main dish, with the broth and vegetables. Crusty bread is the only a...

  1. 2 cups dry white wine
  2. 3 tablespoons wine vinegar
  3. 3 tablespoons olive oil
  4. 2 onions, cut in half lengthwise and then crosswise into thin slices
  5. 1 carrot, cut into thin slices
  6. 1 clove garlic, smashed
  7. 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  8. 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  9. 8 peppercorns
  10. 8 sprigs parsley
  11. 2 bay leaves
  12. 1 1/ teaspoons salt
  13. 2 pounds mackerel fillets
  14. 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
  1. In a medium stainless-steel saucepan, combine the wine, vinegar, oil, onions, carrot, garlic, thyme, coriander, peppercorns, parsley, bay leaves, and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to moderately low and cook for 10 minutes.
  2. Oil a heavy flameproof 9-by-13-inch stainless-steel or enamel pan. Put the fish, skin-side down, in the pan in an even layer. Pour the hot wine broth on the fish, spread the vegetables over the fillets in an even layer, and sprinkle with the ground pepper. Cover with aluminum foil and bring to a simmer over moderately high heat. Reduce the heat and cook at a gentle simmer until the fish is just done, about 10 minutes for 1/2-inch-thick fillets. Remove the parsley and bay leaves. Serve in shallow bowls.
Notes Fish Alternative Another flavorful fish such as bluefish or shad would be good here. Because these fillets are thicker, you'll need to poach them a few minutes longer.

Suggested Pairing

Look for something acidic and refreshing to drink alongside this rich fish. Try a bottle of white wine from the Loire Valley in France—either a Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine or a slightly more full-bodied Sancerre or other wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes.