Spaghetti & Mackerel in Tomato Sauce. So good.

This recipe does sound unusual, at least to my fellow Jamaicans. We loved canned mackerel with white rice, with boiled or fried dumpling, boiled green banana, potatoes or yam. Spaghetti & Mackerel in Tomato Sauce though? That might be a real stretch. Bear with me for a moment and keep an open mind. Don’t knock this recipe until you try it. It was surprisingly delicious and very easy to make. Some really good recipes are often unplanned and the moment you focus on taste and not how it sounds you might actually enjoy it. With that said I know this won’t be for everyone but if you like canned mackerel then you’re off to a good start. A lot of us probably have guilty pleasure food pairing that you absolutely love but wouldn’t tell anyone because it sounds crazy. This recipe is actually not that unusual.

Out of Desperation came a delicious recipe. I am a marketer by day and since this pandemic I now work from home full time. Sounds like it should be easy but it really isn’t. Working from home has pointed how important it is to plan for the day ahead, especially with my meals. Work hours blend into personal time and meal times have become fluid. Looking up from your computer screen only to realize its two in the afternoon and not only is it way past lunch time but I don’t even have lunch prepared. With thirty minutes before my next meeting I decided to raid the kitchen. I found a can of mackerel, a little spaghetti, a plummy tomato and an assortment of seasonings.

How to Make Spaghetti & Mackerel in Tomato Sauce?

With a little time, a few key ingredients and an empty stomach this recipe will blow your mind. Start by cooking your spaghetti according to your packaging instructions or until al dente. If the pasta finishes before then remove from the stove and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Dice an onion, tomato, garlic and scotch bonnet pepper and set Aside. Cook the seasonings for a couple minutes then add the canned mackerel. I like to break up the mackerel chunks so its looks more like a sauce. Plate your spaghetti and top with mackerel in tomato Sauce. This is best served hot. This recipe is great for Ben Johnson days, the humble meal days where your kitchen is running low on food and so is your pocket. Its a bely full for very little.

Lets get cooking!

Spaghetti & Mackerel in Tomato Sauce. So Spicy, So good.

Recipe by ChantelleeCourse: EntréeDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Ingredients

• 3-4oz Spaghetti

• 1 Can Mackerel in Tomato Sauce 7oz

• 1 small onion diced _{(Pantry Item)}

• 1 small scotch bonnet pepper sliced _{(Pantry Item)}

• 4 Cloves Garlic _{(Pantry Item)}

• 1 Small tomato, diced _{(Pantry Item)}

• 2 tbsp. Vegetable Oil _{(Pantry Item)}

• 1/2 tsp. Oregano, optional _{(Pantry Item)}

• 2 tbsp. ketchup _{(Pantry Item)}

Directions

• Cook Spaghetti according to package instructions or until al dente.
• While pasta cooks, dice onions, garlic, tomato and pepper.
• Heat a sauce pan on medium heat with vegetable oil and add the onion, tomato, garlic and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add mackerel, cook for a couple minutes then season with oregano and ketchup. Cook for another 5 minutes until sauce is thick.
• Plate your pasta and top with mackerel sauce.
• Serve Hot.

Notes

• If Pasta cooks before he mackerel is ready, remove from the stove and rinse with cold water and drain to stop the cooking process.

Price Range: $500 JMD. (Price range based on type of supermarket, brand and season. Does not include Pantry Items and tax)                                                                         

Eating in can be easy on the pocket yet just as fun and tasty as dining out.  Enjoy!