Pike with grapes

Delicious BAKED PIKE RECIPE WITH GRAPES

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4-6

On an ordinary day, a large 5 kg pike arrived in my kitchen, giving me the perfect opportunity to prepare an extraordinary recipe. This baked pike recipe, accompanied by grapes, is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Let's embark on this culinary journey together!

A brief history
Cooking fish with grapes has deep roots in culinary tradition, associated with the joy of gathering family or friends around the table. Fish, a symbol of prosperity, combined with the sweetness of grapes, creates a symphony of flavors that delights any meal. This recipe is not just a simple meal but an opportunity to create pleasant memories with loved ones.

Ingredients
- 1.5 kg fresh pike fillets
- 100 g butter (preferably unsalted)
- 100 ml olive oil
- 1 glass (approximately 250 ml) semi-dry or dry white wine
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 sprig of fresh thyme
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Salt, to taste
- Hot red pepper powder, to taste
- Grapes (approximately 200 grams), halved
- 1 teaspoon of starch (optional, for sauce)

Useful tips and practical advice
1. Preparing the fish: Make sure the fish is fresh. Cleaning it is an essential process, and your partner can be a great help (as my husband does). After cleaning, generously salt the pike fillets and let them chill for a few hours. This step will help the fish absorb the salt, making it tastier.
2. Choosing the wine: Select a quality white wine, as it will significantly influence the final taste of the dish. A semi-dry wine will add sweetness, while a dry wine will provide a pleasant contrast with the grapes.
3. Grapes: You can use green or black grapes, depending on your preferences. Black grapes will add a more intense sweetness.

Step by step
1. Preparing the fish: After salting the pike fillets, rinse them well under cold running water to remove excess salt. Then, dry them with a paper towel.
2. Arranging the ingredients: In a large baking dish, evenly place the bay leaves, sliced onion, and chopped garlic. These will form a fragrant bed for the fish.
3. Adding the butter: Place half of the butter cut into small pieces over the onion and garlic mixture.
4. Placing the fish fillets: Arrange the pike fillets over the vegetables, making sure they are evenly placed.
5. Seasoning: Sprinkle the hot pepper powder, chopped parsley, and thyme sprig over the fish. Add the lemon slices and the remaining butter to ensure a rich flavor.
6. Adding the wine and oil: Pour the wine and olive oil over the entire dish. This will add moisture and prevent the fish from drying out during baking.
7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and place the dish in the oven. Let it bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the fish becomes golden and tender. You can check if it's done by piercing it with a fork: the meat should flake easily.
8. Decorating: Finally, add the halved grapes on top of the dish. They will provide a contrast of textures and a sweet-sour note.

Serving
We preferred to serve the baked pike without sauce, accompanied by a simple rice garnish, but you can opt for mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables for added freshness. A crispy green salad would also be a wonderful choice!

Sauce version
If you prefer a richer sauce, you can adapt the original recipe by adding a larger amount of wine (approximately 500 ml). At the end of baking, retain the liquid from the dish and blend it with the vegetables, adding starch to thicken the sauce. Add the grapes at the end for a burst of flavor!

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use another type of fish?
Of course! This recipe can be adapted with other types of fish, such as sea bream or salmon, but the baking time may vary.
2. How can I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can reheat the dish in the oven or on the stovetop.
3. What wine do you recommend?
A dry or semi-dry white wine is ideal, but you can experiment with flavored wines, such as a wine with citrus notes.

This baked pike recipe with grapes will not only delight your taste buds but also bring joy around the table. Its preparation is simple, and the final result is always praiseworthy. Try it and see how an ordinary evening transforms into a true culinary celebration! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 1.5 kg fresh pike fillets, 100 g butter, 100 ml olive oil, 1 glass of dry/semi-dry white wine, 2 onions chopped into pieces, 2 bay leaves, 6 cloves of garlic minced, 1 sprig of fresh thyme, 1 bunch of fresh parsley, 1 lemon sliced, salt, hot red pepper powder, grapes, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch - optional

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