Ha ha. I did the exact same thing in ~1999. Then I bought another can in ~2004, let it sit on the shelf for a year while I got up the courage to to try it, but finally did and it wasn't bad. I'd suggest a mustard sauce for your trial.

I had some at work yesterday and it was fun. I dumped the little tin of 3 fish minus water into a shallow bowl and added mayo, and chili paste, maybe a bit of mustard then smooshed them up into a paste and ate it with soup on the side. Sounds gross but yum to me

I want to try some smoked one like Nancy mentioned.

What kind did you get? I've had canned mackerel before that really put me off (and I really do LOVE tinned fish!) ... I can't recall what my joke was at the time, but I think I likened it to fermented seagull feet

It's time to check prices. WalMart had Bumble Bee brand for $1 ever since I started eating sardines. Last week the price was $1.14! I bought some anyway, as I do like them.

Then I went to my regular (but usually more expensive) grocery & they had Chicken of the Sea brand for just 89 cents! I now have 40 tins on the shelf - half smoked, half in water. May get more before the sale is over.

I just ordered a 25 or so case of kippered herring from Amazon.
link here

Very tasty. Not packed in oil, so I don't have to worry about omega-6 issues. I had one for breakfast and didn't eat again for 4+ hours. I put Sunny Paris and Lemon powder on it.

Herring and mackerel are my favorites.

I'm still following this thread so I figured I post this. Not for breakfast but lunch. I bought 4 tins of Hot Titus this week and here's one keeping company with something I made yesterday called Nam Ya, it's like a curry fish paste/soup. I found it good cold too!

You guys should try canned Anchovies, they're great!

I have a can but have not opened yet Meme. Can you eat them plain?

I'll have to try them. Someone said they're pretty fishy tasting, but I know they're used to impart umami flavor to a lot of dishes.

I eat them right out of the can.
I don't find them fishy at all but there is a taste explosion at first, you'll see....

By the way, these smaller fish are the healthiest. They're at the bottom of the food chain so very healthy with the least amount of contaminants.

Whales eat them. They have large brains and don't complain about stuff. I will be like a whale and go find some!

I love pickled herring in sour cream. Smoked herring is even better.

I eat sardines fried and mashed into scrambled eggs.

Canned salmon or mackerel I make into patties and pan-fry, or into fish salad (like tuna salad).

I love Herring in cream sauce too but I can't have it on a regular basis because of all the added sugar they put in it.

Wow... I must say that Trader Joe's smoked herring is my favorite. And it keeps me full for 4-5 hours at a minimum. Wow!

For me, the key to mackerel is really quickly covering it in mayo and scallops and mashing it up. Tastes delicious. Looks... weird.