CiberCuba Cocina
Hake Fillets with Sauté | Photo © CiberCuba Cocina

Hake Fillet with Sofrito

Kitchen, Main dish

Kitchen, main course

Preparation Time:
30
Note:
Although no one on the Island remembers it anymore, the Merluza was the queen of Cuban tables for a long time. There are many recipes dedicated to this fish that were published in Revista Bohemia or on the television show Cocina al Minuto. I prepared this recipe recalling those tricks I learned while watching TV with my mother and grandmother on Sundays. I hope you enjoy the Filete de Merluza with sofrito. It is true that it is not a Cuban fish, but on this occasion, it will have a very Creole flavor.
Ingredients:
  • 400 grams of fish fillet (hake)
  • ½ cup of whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup of sunflower oil
  • 1 lemon
  • ½ onion
  • 20 grams of fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • ½ cup of tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:

Season the hake fillets with salt and pepper and add the juice of one lemon. Set them aside while you prepare the rest.

Hake Fillet with salt, pepper, and lemon / CiberCuba Cooking

Chop the peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger into very small brunoise or use a food processor.

In a pan, heat the oil and add the processed seasonings to make a sofrito. When they start to release aromas and juices, add the tomato sauce and sprinkle with sugar. Stir well and let it cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. If you notice the sauce drying out, you can add a little water to achieve your desired thickness. Before removing it from the heat, adjust the salt to your liking, cover it, and set it aside for plating.

Sofrito in the pan / CiberCuba Kitchen

Coat the fish fillets in whole wheat flour and fry them in a pan. They should cook for about 3 minutes on each side. You will achieve a golden color and a texture similar to when they're coated in breadcrumbs and egg, but much lighter, more economical, quicker, and less harmful.

Hake Fillets with whole wheat flour / CiberCuba Cocina

After frying the hake fillets, let them drain on absorbent paper.

Hake fillets over a delicious sofrito / CiberCuba Cocina

To serve each portion, first place a generous tablespoon of the sauce or sofrito, then put the fillets on top and accompany the dish with white rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.

Enjoy your meal!!

Rations:
4