Antony Worrall Thompson's oriental crispy mackerel recipe

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• Vegetable oil for deep frying
• 2 boneless mackerel, each weighing about 150g/5oz
• Pinch of salt
• Arrowroot for dusting
• 4 whole spring onions, trimmed
• 4 sprigs of fresh coriander
• 4 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Coriander and parsley sprigs and 1 tbsp chopped cashew nuts to garnish
• Steamed bok choi to serve

For the sauce

• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp dry sherry
• 3 tbsp light soy sauce
• 200ml/7fl oz fish stock

First make the sauce. Place all the ingredients in a pan over a low heat.

Bring to just below boiling point then strain and keep warm.

Heat a medium pan of oil, 8-10cm/ 31⁄4-4in deep, to a temperature of 180°C, 350°F. Season the mackerel with salt then dust in the arrowroot. Fry in the hot oil for 2-3 minutes. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.

Fry the spring onions for 30 seconds. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Add the coriander and parsley sprigs to the hot sauce for a few seconds to soften them.

Arrange the steamed bok choi in the base of a dish. Place the mackerel on top and pour a little sauce over. Arrange the coriander, parsley and onion on top of the fish. Scatter with the chopped cashews before serving.