Fish in Bread (Balık Ekmek)

Balık Ekmek is a traditional Turkish fast food and I would say one of the best ways to eat fish. This recipe is easy to recreate at home, very simple, but incredibly delicious and nutritious. This sandwich does not contain ketchup or mayonnaise, only grilled fish, bread, vegetables, and lemon juice - so tasty!

This budget-friendly fast food is very popular in Istanbul, loved not only by visitors but also by locals. How did this uncomplicated dish originate? It all started with the fishermen bringing fish caught in the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus to the Galata Bridge to sell. They decided to fry the leftover fish on makeshift grills in their boats and immediately sell it to the poor residents for a small amount of money...

The best drink to accompany Balık Ekmek is şalgam (şalgam suyu), it resembles wine in color and tastes like brine.

Frozen mackerel fish

1 piece

Hot dog buns

2 pieces

Lemon

1 piece

Lettuce leaves

Tomato

1-2 pieces

Onion

1 piece

Ground black pepper

to taste

Olive oil

1 tbsp

Salt

to taste

To prepare Balık Ekmek, take mackerel, thaw it, and clean it. Remove the insides and bones. Pour lemon juice generously over the prepared fillet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with grated lemon zest. Let it marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Slice tomatoes, onions, and prepare greens (I used a salad mix).

You can use any greens that you prefer.

Bake the fish on the top oven rack under the broiler for 10 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's better to place the fish on foil or directly on the rack. I accidentally placed it on parchment and it charred a bit:), but the photo turned out beautiful!

Remove the skin from the cooked fish (it comes off easily) and remove any remaining bones and fins.

I used hot dog buns, which need to be cut lengthwise and opened like a book. You can also use mini baguettes, cut a large baguette into three parts, or wrap everything in lavash.