Spiced Baked Fish
Spiced Baked Fish
Spiced baked fish makes a delicious meal. The skin is wonderfully crispy whilst the flesh inside is tender and flaky.
The Spice Blend makes all the difference with Spiced Baked Fish
The blended herbs and spices elevate the flavours of the fish in this dish rather than overwhelm it. The fresh coriander forms the base of the mix and lends a real freshness to the dish.
Tahini, which is of course sesame paste, helps bind the mix, whilst at the same time bringing a slight nut flavour.
Cumin has rich warm earthy tones and is used in many curries because it bolsters spices generally and it plays an important role in bringing together the spices for this recipe for Spiced Baked Fish.
Fish has a beautiful, mild sweetness when it’s cooked and the paprika re-inforces this element of the natural flavouring wonderfully.
We mustn’t forget the importance of the salt which not only helps to season the fish evenly, but also allows the flavours to develop.
Black pepper of course offers an element of heat. It provides a slight kick without being too spicy. It also enhances flavours generally as is why it’s used in so many recipes.
Consider how hot you enjoy your food
Of course the real heat is brought by the inclusion of the chillies. It’s important to consider at this point what level of chilli spice you enjoy. If you don’t really like your food too spicy, then I would suggest using mild chillies rather than leaving them out completely. This is because they do bring their own flavour as well as heat. Or maybe try reducing the quantity you use.
Lemons complement just about any fish dish and this dish benefits from its citrus tones. And garlic provides not only great flavour but also amazing aromas.
Seering the fish properly is so important
Olive oil brings with it a certain amount of flavour and when it’s massaged into the skin it promotes the crisping which seers it. This ensures that the flesh inside stays beautifully moist. It must be said just how important it is to pre-heat your oven and make sure that it’s really hot before putting the fish in because this again ensures that the skin seers.
This finishing touch for Spiced Baked Fish is optional – but sooo good
If you choose to add the finishing touch of smoking your Spiced Baked Fish and giving it a smoky barbeque flavour, this will give it yet another layer of taste and its flavours will be taken to yet another level.
*To make life easier for yourself, get your fishmonger to gut and de-scale the fish, ready for you to cook.
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 6 whole fish such as Sea Bass weighing about 200g each
- sea salt
- 1 small bunch of fresh coriander – stalks removed and leaves chopped
- 2 tbsp of tahini (sesame paste)
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 8 garlic cloves – finely chopped
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 red chilli sliced ( or as much as you prefer)
- juice of 4 large lemons
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- lemon wedges to garnish
- 1cm sq charcoal if you chose to serve it barbequed flavour – optional
- & kitchen foil
How to make your Spiced Baked Fish
Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees C
Salt and then rinse
Sprinkle sea salt over the fish and rub it well into the skin and the cavity then rinse it off under running water.
Make the herb and spice blend for your Spiced Baked Fish
Put the fresh coriander into a food processor and add the tahini, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, black pepper, garlic, chilli flakes and fresh chilli. Add half the lemon juice and half the olive oil, and then process the ingredients until they form a paste.
Fill the cavity
Stuff the cavity of each fish with the coriander and chilli paste. Save 1 tablespoon of the paste and mix the remaining lemon juice and olive oil with it.
Make 3 slits
Cut three diagonal slits into the sides of the fish and lay them on a roasting tray.
Massage the skin
Pour the remaining paste that you have mixed with the lemon juice and olive oil over the fish and rub it into the slits you have cut and into the skin on both sides. This not only marinates the fish infusing flavour, but the olive oil aids the seering process, crisping up the skin and sealing it to protect the tender flesh inside, keeping it perfectly moist.
Rest for 20 minutes
Let your fish rest for about 20 minutes in the marinade to allow the flavours of spice to permeate and give their full benefit.
Make sure the oven has reached its temperature
Ensure the oven’s hot enough to seer your Spiced Baked Fish.
Bake for about 20 minutes
Bake your fish in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and pop it back into the oven for 5 minutes to allow the skin to crisp up and become golden.
Rest for 5 minutes
Your Spiced Baked Fish needs to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Now for your optional Final Touch
Give Smoking a go – it’s so much easier than you think
If you enjoy the flavour of barbequed fish, try smoking it. It’s much easier than you think.
Once the fish is cooked, take some kitchen foil about 20cm x 10cm and fold it in half so it’s double thickness. Lay it in the palm of your hand and press down in the centre to form a bowl.
Pour a few drops of oil into the bowl you’ve just made. Lay the bowl in the baking tray with your cooked fish.
Prepare a piece of kitchen foil big enough to cover your baking tray and tuck over the edges.
A piece of charcoal the size of a bean and 5 minutes is all it takes.
Set a piece of charcoal (about 1cm square) alight, directly on the gas ring. Once it starts to glow red and smoke, blow out the flame and put it into the bowl with the oil, in the roasting tray. Quickly cover the tray with the foil you prepared, ensuring that it’s completely sealed. Keep it somewhere warm and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to allow the fish to absorb the wonderful smoky flavour, before serving. The taste is amazing, it elevate the flavour of the fish to yet another level.
Before you serve your Spiced Baked Fish
Just before serving lay your fish on a large serving plate and pour the pan juices over.
This recipe for spiced baked fish is packed with flavour and a real delight. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Let me know how you get on, and whether you tried smoking.