This is a classic Spanish dish which I first tried in London and have been hooked on ever since. The Hake a deep water dweller is related to cod but is largely ignored in the UK, but incredibly popular with our Mediterranean cousins. It’s got a beautiful flavour and has a pink tinge to the flesh and can be purchased in any fishmongers. Normally you use clams but they can cost an arm and a leg so King prawns make a nice substitute. Always buy a whole fish as you can make 2 good meals and once filleted the carcass makes great fish stock. Check out Salted Hake stew which is a great second dish.
Add the fish carcass, trimmings and head to a saucepan. Add Bay leaf, crushed garlic clove & teaspoon of peppercorns. Cover in about 700ml of water and simmer for 90 minutes.
In a large frying pan heat the oil and butter, then brown the hake on both sides then remove from the pan.
Add the chopped onion and fry for 2 minutes before adding the wine and deglazing the pan. Reduce the liquid by half before adding the flour to make a Roux.
Once the roux is created start to introduce the fish stock gradually creating a sauce with a thickish consistency.
Add the Asparagus & peas, folding everything together followed by your shellfish. Re-introduce the hake, resting on top of the other ingredients. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Dress the dish with chopped parsley and serve with sliced potatoes roasted in garlic and rosemary.