Mackerel makes a stunning debut
Nornie Bero brings big heart and bold native flavours to every dish she creates.
A proud Torres Strait Islander, host of Island Echoes (SBS) and the force behind Melbourne’s beloved Mabu Mabu, Nornie joined the 2025 Narooma Betta Home Living Cooking Demonstrations to share her take on pickled blue mackerel – elevated with pepperberry and paired with her signature wattleseed mustard.
It’s vibrant, zesty and full of character, just like Nornie herself.
Pictures by David Rogers Photography.
Pepperberry Pickled Mackerel with Wattleseed Mustard
Serves: Share plate for 2 – 6 people.
Ingredients
5 mackerel fillets
1 tbs pepperberry
¼ celeriac, thinly sliced
1 fennel, thinly sliced
1 bunch of dill
1 tbs wattleseeds
2 tbs yellow mustard seeds
1 tbs red mustard seeds
½ cup white vinegar
1 tbs sea salt
3 tbs sugar
½ tsp coriander seeds
½ tsp cinnamon myrtle
1 tsp aniseed myrtle
½ bunch tarragon
Method
- In a small pot, add mustard seed, coriander seeds, both myrtles, tarragon covered in small cloth, wattleseeds, pepperberry & vinegar.
- Bring to a boil for 10 minutes then set aside to cool. Blend & store in a jar.
- Salt mackerel fillets with a good bit of salt for 20 mins then rinse and pat dry.
- Score the mackerel skin & pan fry for 3-5 minutes until golden.
Toss fennel and celeriac into a bowl, add dill, mustard and a dash of vinegar liquid. - To plate for a group, on a large plate spread the fennel salad, top with the mackerel fillets & serve with the pot of Wattleseed Mustard.
Proudly supported by Julian, Liz and the team at Narooma Better Home Living
It’s always a full house in the Narooma Betta Home Living Cooking Demonstrations with Courtney Roulston at Narooma Oyster Festival.
Local and visiting chefs, backed by a team of generous volunteers, bring the flavours of the South Coast to life, showcasing oysters, seafood, and seasonal produce through their favourite and bespoke recipes – complete with hot tips, kitchen tricks, and lots of tastings and giveaways.
It’s all included in Saturday General Admission Ticket, with dates for our 19th festival set for May 1-3, 2026.
