Looking for a lightweight, flavorful, and simple make-ahead dish? This French-style fish loaf, recognized in France as fish breadis a basic! Soft and ethereal in texture, it’s full of recent herbs and lemon, and will be served chilly as an appetizer or a lightweight principal course—good for heat climate meals or entertaining.
Recipe card
French-Style Fish Loaf
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This simple baked fish loaf is a simplified model of the basic fish bread—a conventional French fish dish that’s easy, creamy, and served in slices. It’s a incredible make-ahead possibility and might even stand in as a chilly entrée at brunch or a summer time dinner.
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Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C).
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Cut the fish into chunks. Zest the lemon. Finely chop the parsley and dill.
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In a blender or meals processor, mix the fish, eggs, lemon zest and juice, cream or yogurt, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper. Blend till utterly easy.
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Grease a loaf pan with butter. Pour the combination into the pan.
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Place the pan in a bigger oven-safe dish. Fill the outer dish with scorching water to create a water tub.
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Bake for 45–50 minutes. It needs to be set however nonetheless tender.
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Let cool utterly, then chill for not less than 4 hours earlier than slicing and serving chilly.
Storage and Freezing
- In the fridge: Keeps for as much as 3 days in an hermetic container. It’s even higher the following day, when it’s simpler to slice and the flavors have developed.
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In the freezer: Freeze the entire loaf or particular person slices. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Keeps properly for as much as 2 months.
To serve, let it thaw slowly within the fridge and serve chilly.
Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 204mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 436mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
Tips for the Best Fish Loaf
Here are my favourite tricks to get your fish loaf excellent each time, plus some methods to change it up:
- Mix up the fish: Cod, salmon, pollock, or a combo—use no matter you could have readily available. Even frozen fish works properly (simply make sure it’s absolutely thawed and drained).
- Try completely different herbs: Dill and parsley are classics, however chives or tarragon additionally add nice taste.
- Prevent sticking: Grease your pan properly with butter, or line it with parchment paper.
- Let it chill: It’s greatest made the day earlier than. It companies up within the fridge, making it simpler to slice and serve chilly.
Water Bath or Not?
Wondering if the water tub is admittedly vital? Honestly, no, you can bake this fish loaf straight within the oven. But… for the perfect outcome, delicate, moist, and evenly cooked, a water tub makes a giant distinction.
To do that, place your loaf pan inside a bigger oven dish, fill it with scorching water (about 1–2 inches), and bake. The water doesn’t have to cowl the pan, simply sufficient to create mild, moist warmth.
Variations & Serving Ideas
This simple fish loaf is tremendous adaptable. Here are some concepts to vary issues up:
- Use Greek yogurt as an alternative of cream for a lighter model.
- Add smoked salmon items to spice up the flavour and make it really feel extra luxurious.
- Serve it with:
Pair it with a salad (try my 20 Mixed Salad Ideas) or Roasted Potatoes for an entire meal.
Frequently requested questions (FAQ)
Just a few solutions to the questions I’m usually requested about this recipe:
Yes! It freezes very properly, complete or in slices. Just wrap it tightly and maintain within the freezer for as much as 2 months. Thaw it slowly within the fridge and serve chilled.
Insert a knife or skewer within the middle, it ought to come out clear. The loaf needs to be set however nonetheless moist and tender.
Any agency white fish will work: cod, pollock, haddock, hake… You may use salmon for a richer, extra flavorful model.
