The Lenten season is upon us! A time when individuals practise various forms of abstinence by ‘giving up’ something for a period of 40 days commencing yesterday [Ash Wednesday], February 22- Thursday, April 26. Locally, the most popularly honoured withdrawal is from meat consumption. This sees many, utilising fish as their primary protein for the period. The Delect Brand in collaboration with Chef Lisa Brady-Gabay of Select Deli in Select Grocers Manor Park has prepared two family-friendly dishes — Mackerel Slaw Sliders and Mackerel N’ Penne Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce — using a staple household product and Jamaican favourite: Mackerel! These meals will help you make the period meaningful, flavourful and fulfilling! Spice up the season with these two quick and simple recipes using Delect Mackerel, which meet your needs in the absence of meat, and is guaranteed to elevate your palate for a meal the entire family can enjoy!

Delect Mackerel Slaw Sliders

Ingredients:

12 ounces mashed Delect Mackerel

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Delect Fish and Meat Sauce

2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

3 tablespoons escallion, finely chopped

½ cup bread crumbs

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 cup shredded cabbage

¼ cup shredded carrots

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

Dinner rolls

Method:

Combine cabbage, carrots, onion, mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.

Rest in the refrigerator.

Combine all the other ingredients and form into the size of a ping pong ball. Flatten slightly and fry till golden brown. Drain on a paper towel.

Make with warm slightly toasted dinner rolls by putting one in each roll and a spoon of slaw on top, serve immediately.

Delect Mackerel ‘N’ Penne Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

2 cans Delect Mackerel

3 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup Delect Ketchup

5 oz canned corn

½ cup sweet pepper, chopped

1 cup heavy or cooking cream

¼ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon of fresh or dried parsley and basil

½ cup parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon Delect cooking oil

1 tablespoon margarine

8 oz Delect penne pasta

Method:

Cook pasta until tender, and cool immediately with cool water.

Heat oil and sauté garlic, onion, sweet pepper until soft. Add margarine, herbs, ketchup and stir for another minute.

Flake mackerel and add remaining ingredients except parmesan and heavy cream and mix well.

Add heavy cream, parmesan cheese. Mix well, and serve immediately.