Savory Blue Hake Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Make the aioli: Combine garlic, lemon juice and salt in a blender or food processor, and let sit a minute or two. Add egg and yolk, and blend until combined. With the blender running, slowly add oil in a thin, steady stream. You're looking for an emulsified mixture, but it will be on the thin, saucelike side. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt and lemon juice, if needed. Stir in tarragon.
• Prepare the hake: Season hake with 3/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and paprika. Let sit while you cook the asparagus.
• Make the asparagus: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Stir in asparagus and a pinch of salt, and let cook without moving for 2 minutes to brown slightly. Add a tablespoon of water, cover and cook, shaking pan occasionally, until just tender, 2 to 5 minutes longer depending on thickness of stalks. Transfer to a plate and loosely tent with foil to keep warm.
• Return skillet to medium heat, and melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Place hake in an even layer in skillet, then scatter in scallions. Cover and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then flip and cook uncovered about another 3 to 4 minutes, until hake is cooked through and lightly browned on both sides. Transfer hake and scallions to serving plates, and immediately drizzle with aioli to taste. Serve with asparagus.

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.

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.