Hake Fish Food

HAKE FISH CAKES WITH MUSTARD MIDDLES

Steps:

• Mix all the mustard middle ingredients together. Drape cling film across a muffin tin, then spoon the mix into 4 of the wells. Freeze for 30 mins or until solid.
• Put the potatoes, bay leaf and peppercorns in a pan of cold water, bring to the boil and cook for 20 mins or until tender. Remove and allow to steam-dry in a colander. Add the fish to the water and simmer for 5 mins until it is just cooked through at the thickest part.
• Mash the potatoes and stir in the spring onions, a little freshly grated nutmeg and some seasoning. Drain the hake, then flake it into the mash. Gently mix everything together and leave to cool.
• Divide the fish mixture into 4. Shape 1 fish cake at a time, moulding it into a ball. Make a well in the centre of the ball and push a frozen mustard middle into it, then shape the mash around it to make a smooth hockey-puck shape. Repeat with the remaining fish, then freeze for 15 mins.
• Using 3 shallow bowls, add the flour to one; put the egg and reserved egg white in another, and the breadcrumbs in the third. Beat the eggs with some seasoning. Thoroughly coat the fishcakes first in the flour, then the egg , then the breadcrumbs. Freeze the fish cakes until firm. Can be frozen for up to 1 month - defrost in the fridge for 2 hrs before cooking.
• When ready to cook, heat the oil to 180C in a large, deep saucepan (or use a fat fryer) and the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Fry the fish cakes for 7 mins, turning halfway, until crisp. Drain on kitchen paper, transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 5 mins (15 mins from frozen) so the middles are hot. Serve with dressed leaves and a lemon wedge.

HOW TO COOK HAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Set the oven to bake or convection and allow it to begin warming up as you get the rest of your ingredients together. Hake is a delicate fish that doesn't take long to cook through, so it's best to use a moderate temperature to prevent it from getting too done. Baking hake highlights the fish's natural flavor without contributing unnecessary calories.
• Wrap each fillet in a sheet of aluminium foil. Make sure the skin side is facing down so that the meat is visible. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the fillets to keep them from sticking.The foil will trap in moisture, preventing the hake from drying out in the heat of the oven. Make sure the foil you're using can go in the oven safely. Leave the top of the foil open for now in case you decide to thrown in a few herbs, spices, or vegetables for steaming.
• Season the fillets. Sprinkle the hake with kosher salt, black pepper, lemon zest, or other spices to taste. If you want, you can also add pungent vegetables or herbs to each packet. The fish will absorb the flavors of the other components as it cooks, giving a little more depth. Onions, garlic, capers, and herbs like parsley and dill are all popular companions for baked hake.
• Fold or twist the ends of the foil closed. Once you've seasoned the hake, seal up each of the packet to ensure that they'll hold in heat. Enclosing the fillets in foil will also keep any liquid from leaking out while they're baking, which means juicier fish and faster cleanup. Avoid wrapping the fish too tight. This could mash it and ruin its natural texture.
• Arrange the wrapped fillets on a large baking sheet. Leave 2-3 inches (5.1-7.6 cm) of space between them for the heat to circulate. You should be able to fit at least half a dozen average-sized fillets on a single baking sheet. If you're preparing enough for a crowd, you might need to pull out a second sheet or do your baking in batches. If you're worried about the foil sticking, brush the surface of the baking sheet with a light coating of oil before laying out the packets.
• Place the hake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Slide the baking sheet onto the center rack. Then, set a timer to remind you to check the fish's progress after the first 10 minutes. If the fillets look like they need a little more time, pop them back into the oven for 2-3 minutes. When properly cooked, the meat should be white and flaky, and give way easily under a fork. Be careful not to overcook the hake. Since it has such a light consistency, it can go from done to overdone in a matter of minutes.
• Serve oven-baked hake with your favorite sides. Plate the fillets alongside a mound of rice pilaf or quinoa and a colorful tossed salad. For a heartier meal, try pairing the fish with steamed seasonal veggies, red potato salad, or corn on the cob. Garnish with a lemon wedge or sprig of parsley and enjoy! Make condiments like tartar sauce or lemon butter available for diners who prefer to dress up their fish. Put away your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When properly stored, cooked fish should last 3-4 days.

CAPE CAPENSIS, BAKED WITH HERBS (HAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• Dot rinsed fillets with butter, then sprinkle with lemon juice.
• Mix herb mix ingredients together and sprinkle generously over fish but not too heavily, too much will make the fish taste dry.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or 'til fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Do not overbake!
• Serve with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.

PORTUGUESE-STYLE PAN-FRIED HAKE

Steps:

• Fill the saucepan halfway with water and bring it to boil over high heat. Score an x at the base of each tomato with a small paring knife. Lower the tomatoes into the boiling water until the skin splits, about 30 seconds. Plunge them into ice water after blanching to stop the cooking. Peel skins from the tomatoes, and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds, cut the tomatoes into a 1/3-inch slivers (julienne) and set them aside. There will be about 1 1/2 cups.
• You should start the sauce about 15 minutes before you want to serve the fish, so start heating up the larger skillet (for the fish) on a medium heat at the same time you begin the sauce. Place the smaller skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil (3 tablespoons) and the bay leaves. Cook the bay leaves until they are lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the allspice and garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Add the bell pepper and onion and saute, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, white wine and olives. Simmer until the sauce is fragrant and has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
• Just before you add the tomatoes to the sauce, add the olive oil (1/4 cup) to the preheated large skillet. Quickly season all the fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. Spread the cornmeal into a shallow bowl and dredge the fish portions in the cornmeal, 1 at a time, pressing to make the cornmeal adhere and then gently shaking off the excess. Work quickly and put each fillet into hot oil as you prepare them. As soon as the cornmeal appears to darken, turn the heat down a bit. The key is to have them cooking evenly so that when you turn the fillet, it should be a perfect golden brown. It will take about 3 to 4 minutes per side. The thicker the fish, the slower you should cook it. Turn the fillets, and cook for another 3 or 4 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Using a slotted spatula, transfer the fish to individual plates or to a platter. Divide the sauce by draping a small amount of the chunky sauce over the fish and spooning the remaining sauce around it. Serve immediately.