Slow-Cooker Mackerel with Vegetables

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Gather a few simple ingredients. The amount of tomatoes, onion, and carrots is up to you — but trust me, none of it will go to waste. My onions were small, so I used a whole plateful.

2. Step 2:

   

   First, clean and dress the fish. If your mackerel is frozen, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Cut off the head and tail, slit the belly lengthwise, and remove everything inside. Rinse well under water so none of the dark membrane is left behind, then blot the fish dry with paper towels.

3. Step 3:

   

   Cut the fish into serving pieces. I get 4 pieces from each fish, so my 2 mackerel made 8 pieces.

4. Step 4:

   

   Now for the onion. Slice it into thin half-moons. The amount is up to you, but it won't be too much.

5. Step 5:

   

   Peel the carrots and grate them on the coarse side of a grater. The quantity is again to your taste.

6. Step 6:

   

   Wash the tomatoes, trim off the stem ends, and cut them into small cubes.

7. Step 7:

   

   Now assemble the dish. Spread half the onion and carrots across the bottom of the slow-cooker pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir them together a little.

8. Step 8:

   

   Then add half the chopped tomatoes on top of the vegetables.

9. Step 9:

   

   Now lay the mackerel pieces on the bed of vegetables. Two dressed mackerel fit nicely in a single layer in the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

10. Step 10:

    

    Spread the rest of the onion, carrots, and tomatoes over the fish. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper. Set a bay leaf on top and that's it. There's no water or oil in this dish — the mackerel cooks in its own juices and those of the vegetables, which is exactly what makes it so light. Put the pot in the slow cooker, close the lid, and set it to braise for 1 hour.

11. Step 11:

    

    When the slow cooker beeps to signal the program is done, open the lid and remove the bay leaf — you won't need it anymore. Gently press the fish down into the vegetables with a spatula so it settles even deeper, then close the lid and set the dish to "keep warm" for 15 minutes.

12. Step 12:

    

    And there's our fragrant, delicious mackerel, ready to serve! Serve it on the bed of vegetables — they'll be soft and full of flavor.

13. Step 13:

    

    The fish is delicious both hot and cold. Sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving.

14. Step 14:

    

    Cook it up and enjoy — good health to you!