Savory Blue Hake Food

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.

SAVORY BLUE HAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Saute onion in oil or butter until just translucent. Add garlic, stir well and remove from heat. Set aside.
• Spray 13 x 9 glass pan with nonstick spray or butter/oil the pan.
• Mix dill, salt and pepper.
• Place loins in prepared pan. Sprinkle with dill mixture.
• Layer onion/garlic, then crumbs, then cheese on loins.
• Place butter slices evenly around top of cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes until fish flakes with fork.
• Finish with fresh lemon juice, if desired.

BATTERED BLUE HAKE OR WHITEFISH PAN FRIED

Steps:

• I use 3 long thick pieces of fish. I cut it in 3 inch chunks. Dry the chunks of fish with paper towels. Set Aside.
• In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs, water, salt and paprika.
• In a medium mixing bowl, add flour, cornstarch and baking powder. Mix well.
• Add egg mixture and beat in, if too thick, add milk 1 tablspoon at a time. The batter should be thick to hold on to the fish, not runny.
• Preheat frying pan to medium high heat with 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
• Use tongs to dip the fish chunks into batter. Use a spoon to place batter on the top of the chunk after it is in the pan.
• After bottom is golden brown, turn once, press down on top slightly with spatula to insure heat distribution.
• Fry fish in two separate batches using the balance of vegetable oil for the second batch.
• Keep warm in the oven until all fish is cooked.
• The batter is very light tasting, not soaked with oil.
• Use a dipping sauce of your choice.
• If you use this batter on thin fillets, use a slotted spoon to dip the fish into batter.

SPICY FISH ON SAVOURY RICE

Steps:

• Combine the cake flour, cayenne pepper and dried basil and transfer the mixture to a fairly large flat plate.
• Season the hake fillets to taste with salt and roll each fillet in the cake flour mixture.
• Dip each fillet in the whisked egg and roll in the breadcrumbs.
• Place on a baking sheet and chill for about 15 minutes.
• Fry in heated oil until brown on the outside and cooked inside.
• Sauté the onion and green pepper in a little heated oil until soft.
• Add the rice and stir-fry for about 1 minute.
• Pour over the chicken stock and simmer until the rice is tender and done, adding boiling water if necessary.
• Sauté the mushrooms in a separate pan until done and mix with the cooked rice.
• Add the pecan nuts.
• Spoon the rice onto a serving platter or onto individual plates and place the fish on top.
• Serve with tartar sauce or slices of lemon.

ANDALUSIAN FRIED HAKE

Steps:

• Cut the fish into strips about 3/4 inch wide and 3 inches in length.
• Heat the oil in a deep pan until smoking hot. Toss the fish in seasoned flour, put into a frying basket and fry until they are golden brown.
• Drain well and pile on a hot dish in a pyramid, and serve with sauce.
• For Sauce:.
• Heat 1 Tblsp. olive oil and fry the chopped onion and garlic.
• Slice the pepper and tomatoes and put into the pan with the bay leaf, seasoning and a few herbs (including tarragon if available).
• Add 1/2 pint water and the white wine and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile beat together the fat and flour.
• Sieve the contents of the pan, then return them to the pan with the creamed flour and continue stirring until the sauce thickens; boil for 3 minutes before serving.