What To Serve With Hake: 7 Delicious Pairings To Try!
If you’re wondering what to serve with hake, you’ll be delighted to discover that I’ve got a range of options for you to consider that will help you to make the most of this delicious, meaty white fish.
Hake is actually a member of the cod family, though it typically has a milder taste, softer texture, and smaller flake than other cod varieties.
If you’re looking for great taste, great value for money, and some impressive sustainability credentials, it makes sense to have hake on your meal plans.
Here, I’m going to help you to decide exactly what to do with it!
What to serve with hake
Some of the very best pairings for hake – whether it’s grilled, oven baked, or pan fried – include curried lentils, caponata, warm chorizo and chickpea salad, lemon and rosemary mashed potatoes, couscous with olives and sun-dried tomatoes, roasted Mediterranean veggies, and pasta with mussels in tomato sauce.
Want to find out more about creating these delicious meals? Read on…
1. Curried lentils
Hake lends itself to being enjoyed alongside big and bold flavours, and that’s why curried lentils work so well as a side dish. Better still, this side is budget friendly and crammed full of goodness.
I like to add the curried lentils to a bowl, top with the grilled fish, and add crusty bread or naan on the side for dipping and mopping up all the spicy juices.
The result is a meal that’s quick and easy and perfect for a busy weeknight, yet sophisticated enough to be served when you have friends over and want to impress.
2. Caponata
Caponata is a traditional Sicilian dish that’s made with aubergines, tomatoes, raisins, capers, and pine nuts, and serving it with grilled hake makes for a bright and summery meal that always reminds me of holidays in Italy.
If you can, prepare this option for what to serve with hake the day before, and reheat when you’re ready to get stuck in. This really gives the flavours the opportunity to develop.
3. Warm chorizo and chickpea salad
This warm chorizo and chickpea salad brings some serious Spanish vibes, and it’s the perfect light yet filling accompaniment for hake. The smoky flavour works so well with the fish, and it’s a healthy combination that doesn’t compromise on satisfaction.
Add a chunk of crusty bread, and this meal is ideal for either lunch or a light dinner. It works particularly well for classy dinner parties on summer evenings!
4. Lemon and rosemary mashed potatoes
Mashed potato is the ultimate in comfort food, and it’s a wonderful side dish for hake during the colder autumn and winter months. If you’re looking something with a little creativity and flair, or just a little more interesting, check out these lemon and rosemary mashed potatoes.
With a hearty dollop of soured cream and several different types of cheese, this dish isn’t one that you’ll want to make if you’re trying to cut back the calories, but it’s a great choice for an occasional indulgence!
5. Couscous with olives and sun-dried tomatoes
Couscous with olives and tomatoes is a delicate but flavourful side dish, made with Israeli couscous and beautiful mouthfuls of black olives, fresh herbs, freshly ground black pepper, and plenty of fresh garlic.
It can be served hot or cold, making it super handy for if you want to get ahead with your prep and have your side dishes ready to go.
If you have extra veggies that need using, don’t be scared to add them in. I often add chopped peppers, red onion, and sweetcorn. I few chunks of feta cheese works really well too!
6. Roasted Mediterranean veggies
A tray of roasted veggies is one of the most underrated side dishes out there. It’s super simple to prepare, and you can tailor it depending on the seasons and what you have readily available at your local greengrocers.
Add colourful vegetables like peppers, red onion, and broccoli to a roasting tray, add a generous drizzle of olive oil, toss in your favourite herbs, and roast in the oven until slightly caramelised. For a more satisfying side, add chunks of white potato or sweet potato.
7. Pasta with mussels in tomato sauce
If you love pasta and you love seafood, this sophisticated dish is an absolute must-try for what to serve with hake. Pasta with mussels in tomato sauce is a celebration of wonderful sunshine ingredients such as fresh seafood, white wine, tomatoes, and garlic.
It takes less than an hour to prepare, and I like to keep this choice for when I have friends coming for dinner to celebrate a special occasion! Cooking mussels can seem a little overwhelming if you’ve never done it before, but the instructions are easy to follow and it’s a handy kitchen skill to have. These little fishy morsels are cheap, flavoursome, and a taste sensation in such a variety of different recipes.
The tastiest side dishes to serve with hake
If you want to put hake on your menu this week, some of the best side dishes for this delicious fish are:
- Curried lentils
- Caponata
- Warm chorizo and chickpea salad
- Lemon and rosemary mashed potatoes
- Pasta with mussels in tomato sauce
If you love cooking with fish and trying out different meals, head over and check out my guide to what to serve with mackerel for more inspiration!
