Hake

[ethandron]

Never tasted such tasteless fish, even with a generous dollop of homemade chilli jam.
Does anyone actually like it?

[hc4361]

It's my favourite! Did you cook it yourself? Was it fresh?

[ethandron]

Cooked it myself, in the oven with a good dollop of chilli jam smeared on top. They were frozen loins. We both found it tasteless and disappointing. What did I do wrong?

[retrocop]

Yes. Very much.Versatile, fleshy and too much exported to Ineria from home shores where they know what to do with it.:-(

[LyndaB]

Probably not as tasteless as cod - which I find horrid! Haddock for me all day long

[ethandron]

I have a bag full of these so perhaps next time we have them I'll ask you hake lovers for some ideal

[EcclesCake]

There is a good and simple Madur Jaffrey recipe for white fish. The fish is coated in turmeric and paprika and a sauce of fried onion, tomato and Nigella seeds is served with it.......or something like that.

I'll post it tomorrow or google might come up with the recipe.

[EcclesCake]

Here y ou go, not quite as I described but jolly tasty.

http://www.demontdigital.co.uk/leeeats/fish/fish1/codsteaks.html

[DTCwordfan]

No 1 - fresh is so different, freezing takes out the sweetness of the meat.

For cooking, I have used this recipe, substituting hake in, we get plenty down here as it's a common catch off Cornwall...

http://www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/11706/raymond-blancs-pollock-fillet-grenobloise

[EDDIE51]

If fish is really fresh it should never taste 'fishy' , that is a sign it is past it's best.
Fish should have a subtle taste ,it is more about texture than taste.
Would you rate fresh poached salmon as 'tasteless'.
I would never eat chilli with fish it totally overpowers the taste of the fish.
Next time just coat the Hake loins in seasoned flour (salt and black pepper) then grill it with plenty of butter. Just 2 or 3 mins each side under a very hot grill. The very worst thing for fish is to overcook it , that will guarantee it to come out tough and tasteless. As soon as it becomes opaque it is cooked. Almost every one overcooks fish, prawns for example need just 20 to 30 seconds in a very hot frying pan !

[DTCwordfan]

Agree about the overcooking.....

[wired]

Frozen fish doesn't have much flavour. Try grilling it for 3 minutes each side , top with a mixture of mayo mixed with tomato paste, chopped spring onion and grated cheddar, put back under the grill until bubbling...simples

[Old_Geezer]

The standard white fish is all rather subtle tasting. That's why it's covered in batter or breadcrumbs most of the time. Unsure why one would be singled out particularly. They're ok when in the mood. But oily fish is preferable.

[retrocop]

I was on Madeira for a week in early December.The Hotel had Hake on the all inclusive menu most days. Ialways noticed they cooked it differently and it was delicious.I never avoid Hake if I see it on the menu.

[ethandron]

I like cod, sole and salmon, and think they're all recognisable. I eat all three with little or no enhancement as a rule.
This hake had a nice enough texture, it was soft and flakey, it just didn't taste of anything. The chilli jam didn't overwhelm it, it wasn't a very hot chilli jam and I was expecting it to add to the enjoyment of it.
We don't ever eat fresh fish as neither of us like the bones. In fact we only really eat fish as its good for us, not really fish fanciers...except for a nice fish finger buttie :)
Will try some of the suggestions next time we have it. Thanks.

[EDDIE51]

If you do not ever eat fresh fish and only eat it because 'it is good for you' rather than because you like it ,then it is hardly surprising that you do not enjoy it. There is nothing as good as really fresh fish .

[ummmm]

Frozen fish is naff...

[ethandron]

I buy a fresh side of salmon from Costco and then slice it into portions and freeze them. They cook and taste wonderful from frozen, I would say that's my favourite fish...apart from fish fingers!
Costco is the only place I buy fish from. Really wish we could both get over the fish bone issue but we can't.
Having naff fish fingers this evening, yum ;)