Skip to Content

Fish Mayonnaise (Psari Magioneza )

Fish Mayonnaise (Psari Magioneza )

Sharing is caring!

Fish mayonnaise, in Greek Ψάρι Μαγιονέζα pr. PSAH-ree Mah-ghio-NEH-zah, is a cold dish that typically consists of fish, such as cod, sea bream, sea bass, salmon or tuna, that is made by cooking the fish with vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, celery, onion etc.

After removing the bones from the fish, some of the vegetables are mashed and mixed with the fish with some mayonnaise and a thin layer of mayonnaise is added on top and decorated  with some of the vegetables.

After cooking the fish and vegetables, the broth can be used to make Fish soup.

Fish soup with trahanas image

Fish is one of the healthiest foods in the modern diet with Omega 3 fatty acids. It is high in protein and important vitamins, and, of course, it is low in fat.

Cypriot cuisine has been influenced through the centuries by the many conquerors.   The most important influence though, came by the ancient Greeks. Since ancient Greeks came to the island, until nowadays, Greek language and Greek civilization and culture are dominant on the island. Most of the Cypriot recipes are similar to the Greek ones but as in many other parts of Greece, there are a few differences in the ingredients used.

Cyprus cuisine has also been influenced by the Persians, the Arabs, the Latins, the Turks, the British, the Armenians and the Maronites and believe me, many more. Some of these recipes are now considered as traditional and Fish Mayonnaise is one of them, which we used to do often when we had buffet dinners.
You have all probably heard of the Greek Mediterranean Diet. Researches have shown over the past forty years that the Greek traditional diet is one of the healthiest of the whole world. Despite our very bad habits, (low physical exercise and too much smoking), Greek men have the highest survival age in Europe (75 years) and women are fifth in Europe (80,3 years).

It has been established that the consumption of olive oil is very healthy as it lowers the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. This is due to the fact that olive oil has high concision of natural antioxidants and nourishing compoments (e.g. polyfenoles, flavonoidi, carrotins etc.).

A correct and balanced nutrition necessarily contains olive oil on a daily basis. The essence and taste, which gives to all foods, is unique. However, let’s not forget that like all oils, olive oil as well, is a fat and must be used in moderation. The oils contain fatty acids, which can be separated in three kinds: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The animal fats contain mostly saturated fat acids, the seed oils polyunsaturated, while the olive oil contains mostly monounsaturated fat acids up to 83%. The oleic acid, the main component of olive oil, comprises such a monounsaturated fat acid.

As the main source of monounsaturated fat acids, the olive oil helps:

  • The lower of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in blood.
  • The maintenance in the blood of “good” cholesterol (HDL).
  • The good function of the intestine.
  • The prevention of cardiovascular diseases and the protection of the organism from the coronary disease due to the strong antioxidants it contains.
  • The cure of gastric and duodenum ulcer, as it eases the digestion.
  • The decline of the gastric juices.
  • The best immersion of calcium by the organism.
  • The correct metabolism of diabetics and consequently the balance of the diabetes rates.
  • The prevention from cancer.
  • While last but not least … it revitalizes the skin.

The information given above have been translated from a Greek site inCardiology.Gr (their link has been removed) and I wanted to justify the use of mayonnaise, which is considered by many people as not healthy. I have also drawn and translated the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid where you can see the structure of this diet.

Pyramid of the Mediterranean Diet

Psari Magioneza (Fish with Mayonnaise)

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:  50 minutes

Serves:  6

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ kilos (3.30 lbs) of fresh or frozen fish suitable for soup, I use red frozen fish
  • 1 medium onion
  •  2 medium potatoes, peeled cut into smaller pieces
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

For decoration:

Directions:

  1. Boil, steam or roast beetroot with the skin on until soft. and then peel or use preserved beetroot.
  2. Peel and wash the vegetables.  Reserve the peel of the tomato for the decoration.
  3. Ask your fish monger to scale and gut the fish.  If using frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator, scale and wash the fish.
  4. Put the potatoes, onion and carrots in a large pot.  Bring to a boil, add salt, lower heat and cook for about 40 minutes, or until soft.
  5. Remove the vegetables and add the fish.  Cook for 20 minutes.
  6. If any froth forms remove it with a slotted spoon.
  7. When done remove it to a platter.  (Strain and reserve the broth to make soup).
  8. Set the fish aside to cool before removing the bones or if you are in a hurry, remove the skin and the bones under running water and make sure than even the smallest bones are removed.
  9. Remove the potato chunks and the whole onion and mash them with a fork.  Remove the whole carrots and set aside.
  10. Add the mashed potatoes and onion to the fish and mix with a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise.  Season with salt and pepper and mix all the ingredients. Shape on the platter and cover with the remaining mayonnaise.
  11. Decorate with the beetroot, carrots, tomato peel, capers and parsley or as you please and place in the refrigerator before serving.

Note:  The rose is made by peeling a tomato the whole way round and using the peel, to form the flower. Of course this is just for decoration and it is not edible.

These and more recipes are included in my cookbook Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!

signature Ivy

Sharing is caring!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

John Adhikary

Tuesday 13th of November 2012

I remember having this when I was in Europe last year. Its really delicious as it looks in this picture. The mayonnaise adds to the taste of the whole thing.

Ivy

Tuesday 15th of July 2008

Sam, it's a bit messy for the person preparing it but those who eat it just love it. Imagine all fish without bones (lol).

Ivy

Tuesday 15th of July 2008

Swati, thanks. It's because I'm in the beach mood and as for the awards I believe that the people I chose to be my blogging friends all deserve it and I am not saying this to have everyone pleased.

Sam Sotiropoulos

Tuesday 15th of July 2008

My aunt makes this dish and I love it! Good stuff.

Swati: Sugarcraft India

Friday 11th of July 2008

Hey Ivy,Love the new profile picture of yours.. You look cool!!This method of choosing for the award was a smart one..Really saves the problem of choosing whom to give and whom not to as there are so many that you want to give and are so so deserving!!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy Policy · Copyright