The Turkish Spiced Hake with Yogurt Sauce came about because I wanted to change up the cooking of fish and be a bit more adventurous with the flavors. I came across a recipe by David Tanis that I had been meaning to try using halibut skewers on the grill, but it’s the middle of winter and I had a fillet of less expensive hake in my fridge. So I made some alterations in the cooking method and changed a bit of the seasoning as well. I wanted the fish to have a zing to it but not so much that you don’t taste the underlying flavor. The cumin, coriander and smoked paprika gives it that middle eastern flavor and a pinch of chili flakes provides a bit of heat. I also added a some harissa to the yogurt sauce to give it more punch. The couscous adds the finishing touch to this Turkish Spiced Hake with Yogurt Sauce recipe.
For the cooking, rather than a grill, I suggest using a nonstick or seasoned cast iron skillet. Get it really hot, sear the fish both sides and then turn down the heat to let it cook through.
Happy to share it with the Cooking with Adrienne Community.
Turkish Spiced Hake with Yogurt and Couscous
This Turkish Spiced Hake with yogurt sauce puts a totally different spin on cooking fish.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless hake, skin removed
- Salt & Pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 small red onion, thinly slice
- 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1cup plain yogurt
- 1/8 teaspoon harissa or cayenne pepper
- 1 small cucumber, about 2 ounces, peeled, seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions
- Step 1 Cut the hake into large chunks of equal size and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2 In a mixing bowl, combine cumin, coriander, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion, lemon 2 garlic cloves grated, and bay leaves. Add olive oil and stir together. Add fish to the bowl and toss to coat. Leave to marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 3 Put the yogurt in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Grate 1 garlic clove into the yogurt and add harissa and cucumber. Add half of the mint and parsley stir to combine and set aside.
- Step 4 To make the couscous measure ¾ cup of couscous into a bowl. Pour 1 cup of boiling water into the bowl. Stir to combine and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside.
- Step 5 Heat a frying pan (nonstick or seasoned cast iron) over high heat. When the pan is hot add the hake along with the marinade. Cook without moving the fish for about 5 minutes. Turn the fish and cook for 3-5 more minutes until no longer translucent but not overcooked. Remove from heat.
- Step 6 Stir ½ the remaining herbs into the couscous and place a mound on each plate. Place the fish along with some of the onions and lemons on top of the couscous and sprinkle remaining herbs on the fish. Serve the yogurt along side and scatter the chopped tomatoes.
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