Smoked Mackerel Salad with Apple and Fennel

Smoked Mackerel Salad with Apple and Fennel

Welcome to your own kitchen, where we create a delicious, fresh salad together! This salad is briny, crunchy and full of fresh flavours with a Nordic twist, perfect for a light lunch or a healthy evening meal. Combine the smoked mackerel with thinly sliced fennel and green apple, and season with lemon zest and a creamy dill yoghurt dressing over a bed of mixed greens — the result is an explosion of flavours that transports you to a cool Scandinavian breeze.

Ingredients (serves 2):

• 200 g smoked mackerel, flaked into pieces
• 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 1 green apple, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, zest of the skin
• 100 g Greek yoghurt (unsweetened for a lighter option)
• 15 g fresh dill, finely chopped
• 200 g mixed salad leaves (such as rocket, spinach and lamb's lettuce)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for the dressing)
• Salt and pepper to taste (use sparingly for a low-salt version)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the mackerel: Remove the skin from the smoked mackerel and flake the flesh into large pieces. Set aside on a plate.
2. Slice the vegetables and fruit: Wash the fennel bulb and slice it thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Wash the green apple, remove the core and cut into thin slices. Drizzle the apple slices with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Make the dressing: In a bowl, combine the Greek yoghurt with the finely chopped dill, lemon zest, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well until you have a creamy dressing — taste and adjust to your liking.
4. Assemble the salad: Arrange the mixed salad leaves as a base in a large bowl. Add the thinly sliced fennel and apple slices and toss gently. Scatter the smoked mackerel pieces on top and drizzle the dill yoghurt dressing evenly over the salad.
5. Serve immediately: Toss everything lightly so the flavours meld together, and serve the salad right away for maximum freshness.

Tips and unique twists from Cookinglife:

Make this salad even healthier with a few simple tweaks! For a low-salt version, opt for fresh mackerel instead of smoked, or reduce the salt in the dressing — it gives a milder flavour without losing that punchy edge. This salad is naturally gluten-free and sugar-free (as long as you use unsweetened yoghurt), making it ideal for those looking for a light meal. Try adding walnuts for extra crunch, or swap the yoghurt for a plant-based alternative for a vegan option. Enjoy it with Cookinglife: where every bite is an adventure and healthy flavours come together!