Baked Hake

Here is the Italian-style recipe for baked hake, simple and with Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients

• 4 hake fillets (about 150-200 g each)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary)
• 200 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• Pitted black olives to taste (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. In a baking dish, lay down the hake fillets, previously cleaned and patted dry with kitchen paper. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Drizzle the fillets with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, making sure they are well coated on both sides.
4. Scatter the garlic slices and rosemary amongst the fish fillets.
5. Add the cherry tomatoes and olives around the fish in the baking dish.
6. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
7. Once cooked, remove the hake from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

You can accompany the hake with a simple green salad or some roasted potatoes for a complete meal. Remember that fish is very versatile, so feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite herbs or spices.

Interesting Facts

Hake is a lean and light fish, high in protein and low in fat. It is an excellent choice for those following a balanced diet. It is appreciated in many countries for its white and delicate flesh, which makes it suitable for multiple culinary preparations.