Hosting and feeding a small gathering for less than $50 including wine, is almost unthinkable these days. Forget the seafood restaurant, chose your best fancy salmon recipe and try these scrumptious mackerel fritters as a cheap alternative. Canned mackerel fillets can be bought in the same quantity as the best fancy salmon, and for around 1/3 of the price. Combined with a fresh garden salad, this tasty fish gives you the option to prepare something a little different when entertaining.

The following recipe is adequate to serve 6 people.

Ingredients:

3 cans mackerel fillets or cutlets

4 cups of wild rice

1 envelope french nion soup

1 large white onion

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh or dried chives

2 large eggs

1/2 cup of wholemeal flour

6 large baking potatoes

1 small tub of sour cream

2 fresh limes

1 jar redcurrant jam

1 french style loaf of bread

Salad:

1 large lettuce

3 carrots, grated

3 large slicing tomatoes

1/4 cup of grated sharp cheese

1 small box of croutons

3 fresh limes

1 small bunch of curly parsley

Method:

-Cook the wild rice ahead of time, drain and set aside to cool

-Prick the potatoes well and microwave each for 8-10 minutes on high. Set aside wrapped in foil

-Pre heat the oven to 300 degrees

-In a large bowl, combine the canned mackerel, french onion soup mix, diced white onion, 2 eggs and 1/4 cup of chives

-Once the mixture has blended together well, add the rice one cup at a time to distribute evenly throughout

-Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of flour over the top and mix in thoroughly

-Form into balls and place onto a foil lined oven tray

-Flatten with a spatula to form a patty and sprinkle breadcrumbs over each of them

-Bake at 300 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes

-Place the foil wrapped potatoes on the lower shelf of your oven while the mackerel is baking

Preparing A Zesty Salad:

-Wash the lettuce under cold water and drain

-Finely shred the lettuce fine using a large, sharp knife. Do not do this ahead of time as using a knife on lettuce will cause it to turn brown

-Grate the carrots and cheese and toss with the lettuce

-Line individual salad bowls with tomato slices, and fill each of them with the prepared salad mix

-Place a few croutons on top, garnish with 1/4 of a lime and a large sprig of fresh curly parsley.

Serving:

-Serve your salad while the mackerel is baking

-Once cooked and placed onto the plate, the mackerel fritters should be garnished with curly parsley, a thick slice of lime and with a large dollop of redcurrant jam on the side

-Split the baked potatoes and push each end inwards to make the potato gape open. Add 1 tbs of sour cream

-A thick slice of french bread can be added to the side of each plate or served in a napkin lined basket in the center of the table

*I recommend a dry white riesling to serve with mackerel. It's sharp flavor compliments the fish, and it is inexpensive to purchase.

Main course $22.00

Salad $8.00

2 bottles of Riesling $16.00 (optional)