Easy Mackerel Patties Recipe| A Tasty Way to Enjoy Fish
Updated: 1 hour ago
A Delicious, DHA-Rich Saba Burger to Boost Brain and Body Vitality
Upgrade your fish-cooking routine with these effortless, homemade Mackerel Patties (Saba Burgers). Blending nutrient-dense mackerel with crispy cabbage, warm ginger, and a flavorful homemade dipping sauce, this clever recipe completely transforms a classic seafood staple into a delicious, child-friendly meal—maximizing the intake of essential DHA and EPA fats to fuel growing minds and enhance long-term physical well-being.
Delicious Way to Boost Your DHA: Saba Burger
Ingredients
Mackerel (saba) – 2 whole fish
Onion – ¼ of a medium-sized onion
Cabbage – 1 leaf
Ground ginger – 1 teaspoon
Egg – 1
Plain flour – as needed
Sesame oil – enough to fill half the frying pan (for deep-frying)
Salt & pepper – a pinch (for seasoning)
Directions
Prepare the mackerel: Remove the bones, head, and tail from the mackerel. Then, use a blender to mince the fish into a smooth paste.
Prepare the vegetables: Finely chop the onion and cabbage. Sauté the chopped onion and cabbage in sesame oil over a medium heat. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. (Note: Do not add any further seasoning at this stage.)
Mix the ingredients: Once the sautéed vegetables have cooled, add them to the minced mackerel along with the ground ginger. Mix everything together thoroughly.
Shape the patties: Form the mixture into small patty shapes, about the size of a small burger. Gently roll each patty in flour to help hold its shape, patting it lightly with your hands.
Coat with egg: Beat the egg and dip each patty into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s well-coated.
Flour again: After coating with the egg, lightly roll the patties in the flour again to create a smooth, firm exterior.
Fry the patties: Heat sesame oil in a frying pan, filling it to about half its height. Once the oil is hot, gently place the patties in the pan. Fry until golden brown on the outside. The patties cook quickly, so keep an eye on them; when they turn a golden-brown colour (like a fox's fur), remove them from the pan.
And that’s it – your Saba Burger is ready to serve!
Essential Sauce for Our Family: Perfect for Fried Foods
This sauce is a staple in our home and something we always have on hand, just like at a kushikatsu (skewer fry) shop. We keep adding to it over time, which makes it even more flavourful.
Ingredients for the Sauce
Tonkatsu sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Ketchup
Garlic
Ground sesame seeds
Directions
Mix the base ingredients: In equal parts, combine tonkatsu sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup in a bowl.
Add the garlic and sesame: Finely chop the garlic and add it to the sauce mixture. Then, stir in the ground sesame seeds to finish.
Let it marinate: By adding to the sauce over time, it can be stored for a long period. The garlic aroma will infuse the sauce, creating a rich, deep flavour that makes everything taste even better.
In our household, this sauce is used for nearly every type of fried food. It has truly become a must-have in our kitchen!
DHA for Growing Minds
DHA, a key component in brain development, plays a crucial role in promoting cognitive function. It is especially beneficial for brain and nerve development from pregnancy through to early childhood.
DHA supports children's learning abilities and memory development, and it is primarily found in fish. For those who don’t enjoy eating fish, creative cooking can help you incorporate this essential nutrient. Pairing it with a delicious sauce, like in the Saba Burger, is a foolproof recipe!
In addition to aiding intellectual development, DHA contributes to the development of vision, boosts immune function, stabilises emotions, and helps control inflammation. These benefits make DHA an essential nutrient for growing children.
As we age, it is recommended to continue consuming DHA regularly. Adequate DHA intake is linked to the prevention of dementia and osteoporosis.
One great way to incorporate DHA and EPA into your diet is by eating fish bones, such as in Saba Burger or canned mackerel. This ensures you're getting the full benefits of these nutrients.
The Saba Burger, made from blended fish, maximises the power of these fish-based nutrients, making it an incredibly effective way to boost DHA intake.
About Author
Limi Bolomier
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Eat Well · Feel Well · Live Well
Based in Switzerland, Limi writes about hospitality, food, travel, art and wellbeing for EFL, a bilingual publication in English and Japanese. Her perspective draws on first-hand reporting, experience in the food service industry and expertise in digital marketing. She has contributed to Therapist and nina’s, and shares stories and ideas to enrich everyday life.aromatherapy and herbs. She has contributed to Therapist and nina’s.
Through her writing, she hopes to inspire moments that enrich everyday life.
