Balık ekmek

balik ekmek

A delicious, simple fish sandwich — the name literally means “fish bread”. Best with a fish fillet that just came out of the water. This a summer treat for us, when Boston mackerel and delicious tomatoes are both in season.

balik ekmek

A delicious, simple fish sandwich — the name literally means “fish bread”. Best with a fish fillet that just came out of the water. This a summer treat for us, when Boston mackerel and delicious tomatoes are both in season.

Shopping List

One small fish fillet per sandwich

Olive oil

Crusty roll or a part of a not-too-crusty baguette

Leaf lettuce, arugula or watercress

Tomato

Mayonnaise

Ají amarillo

There is no one true recipe for this, as best I can tell. I like it with some mayonnaise, into which I mix some ají amarillo paste, but others just like olive oil or tsatsiki. Some like to add thinly-sliced red onions. Like any great sandwich, the details are best left to the consumer.

On an oiled griddle, cook an oily fish fillet, like Boston Mackeral or a piece of Bluefish from the tail end, where it’s thin and has fewer bones. Cook it on both sides, browning each and seasoning with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile mix mayonnaise and a spicy sauce like ají amarillo paste (3:1 ratio, I’d guess) and spread on a crusty roll or a 2 pieces of toast. Place cooked fish on the bread, add washed greens. A tomato slice will complete the sandwich, but don’t bother unless it’s perfectly ripe and tasty — you’ll just ruin the whole thing.