Seared fish is one of my favorite things to do for lunch. Maybe it was growing up in California by the beach, but I think I’ve always loved getting a fresh fish, filleting it, and searing it in some butter. Now, this hake wasn’t fresh but I was able to get some nice frozen fillets which worked in a pinch. Although last week I did make a Mediterranean Baked Sea Bream using a fresh Dorada, so if you want to cook a whole fish, that recipe is for you. This butter seared hake with fresh tomato and avocado is a great way to make a classic and simple lunch.
Since I used a frozen fillet, the first step was to defrost. Just let it sit (wrapped) and a dish of room temperature water and it will defrost in less than a half hour. You don’t want to put the fish directly in the water or it will get waterlogged and fall apart when you sear it.
For seasoning I just used a little salt and pepper. No need to do anything fancy, this is an easy lunch that should take less than 10 minutes. Well, after defrosting the fish. If you are using fresh fillets then it will definitely be done in under 10 minutes.
As this is butter seared hake, the butter is important. I use about 3 tablespoons of butter for the 2 fillets. In a pan on medium heat I add the butter and when it is melted then I add the fish. In my opinion butter searing whitefish is one of the most delicious ways to cook them.
As the fish is searing I use a spoon to scoop over melted butter over the fillet. This hot butter helps cook the top so you do not need to flip the fish. This is how I baste steaks, so I’m doing the same thing for fish. While it is searing, if you can watch it, you can dice the tomato and avocado and put them in a bowl. Add a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and you have your topping to the fish.
Carefully move the fish to a plate, spoon over the fresh tomato and avocado and serve. Enjoy this easy and delicious lunch any day of the week (or weekend).
Butter Seared Hake With Fresh Tomato And Avocado
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 2 fillet Hake fresh or defrosted
- 1 pinch Salt to taste
- 1 pinch Black Pepper freshly cracked, to taste
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1 Avocado diced
- 1 Tomato diced
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Salt and pepper your hake fillets. In a pan on medium heat add the butter. When it is almost melted completely add the fish.
- Tilt the pan a little off the flame and spoon over hot melted butter over the top of the fish. Cook the fish this way for 3-4 minutes, longer depending on how far off the flame you tilt the pan. If you are using induction you'll have to use your best judgement since you are tilting and putting the pan back multiple times.
- Add the tomato and avocado to a bowl with some oil. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Plate the fish and spoon over some of the tomato and avocado mix. Serve.
