One-Pan Mackerel with Nam Prik Noom
Craving a bold kick? This one-pan roast turns simple mackerel into a spicy, savory masterpiece.
When the day feels long and your energy is low, you want a meal that packs a punch without requiring a mountain of dishes. This roasted mackerel dish takes the soul of Nam Prik Noom—a spicy, toasted chili dip—and applies it directly to the fish in one single pan. You get that incredible hit of toasted chilies, garlic, and shallots without having to labor over a mortar and pestle. The fish stays juicy while the outside develops a beautiful, savory crust from the roasting process. It’s the ultimate 'tired human' hack: it feels like high-effort gourmet cooking but requires minimal active effort from you. The pungent aroma of toasted aromatics will fill your kitchen instantly, making the whole house feel cozy and intentional.
Ingredients
- 2 unit mackerel fillets
- 3 tbsp dried red chilies — crushed or chopped
- 4 unit garlic — smashed
- 1 unit shallot — sliced
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp oil
Method
- 1 Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- 2 In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, brown sugar, mashed garlic, and chopped chilies to create your base paste.
- 3 Place the mackerel fillets on the baking sheet and rub the mixture thoroughly onto each fillet.
- 4 Toss the sliced shallots in the remaining oil and scatter them around the fish on the pan.
- 5 Roast in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the edges of the shallots are charred.
- 6 Serve immediately with a squeeze of lime if you have one handy.
Variations
- Milder Version — Swap the dried red chilies for a pinch of red chili flakes to keep the flavor without the intense heat.
- Extra Savory — Add 1 teaspoon of ground coriander to the marinade for a deeper, earthier undertone common in Northern Thai cooking.
Notes
The 'noom' in Nam Prik Noom refers to the toasted, smoky flavor. If your chilies aren't dried, use fresh ones but reduce the amount to 1-2 for less heat.
Equipment that helps
- Baking Sheet — Allows you to roast everything at once with minimal cleanup.
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