🐟 Oil Packed #19

Savor this flavor

Fishwife Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes

Price: $11
Weight: 105g
Texture: Firm
Taste: Savory
Pair with: Itself!

You should start thinking about your next seacuterie board. I love to make one every so often with some fresh or blanched veg, and a nice variety of crackers and breads, and of course, a few tins of fish (for eating and reviewing). Any tin works here - try something new or something old, something sweet or astringent, some trout or some… mackerel!

Fishwife’s Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes is meant to be savored. In the tin, there are two huge filets packed in olive oil with demerara sugar, salt, crushed chili, and garlic. I gotta say, you can clearly taste everything that’s packed with this fish. It’s deliciously sweet and garlicky with a very mild amount of spice. There’s a nice, mature flavor that comes through the fish from its slow-smoked processing. It has its skin on, but no bones. This mackerel is dense and filling - it has a firm texture that holds together in chunks. I have absolutely no notes on this tin - it’s amazing.

This mackerel has so much richness that you don’t want to cover it up in any way! Make this tin part of a seacuterie board for your next tinned fish date night, and really savor the flavor. It’s great alongside sour things like pickles and olives, sharp cheeses like cheddar and manchego, and crunchy vegetables like carrots and radishes. Put some water crackers on the side - plain crackers will let this mackerel shine. If the pageantry of seacuterie boards isn’t for you, I also recommend eating right out of this tin with a fork (too firm for chopsticks!).

You can probably find this tin at your local small business o’treats, and you can definitely find this tin at Whole Foods. If you’d prefer not to leave your house, you can order this tin from Fishwife’s website - and if you use our link, you’ll get 10% off your order with the code TINNED10.

Rating: ★★★★★

photos by Aaron Barton