Irish Seafood Bake with Dill and Lemon
A delightful baked dish featuring a mix of fresh Irish seafood in a creamy, herb-infused sauce, topped with a golden crust. This recipe highlights the abundance of fresh seafood available along the Irish coast.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Cod fillets(skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 300 g Haddock fillets(skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 200 g Shrimp(peeled and deveined)
- 50 g Butter
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 500 ml Milk
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill(chopped)
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 100 g White cheddar cheese(grated)
- 0.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 50 g Breadcrumbs(for topping)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a medium-sized ovenproof dish.
💡 Tip: Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. - 2
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
⏱️ 1-2 minutes - 3
Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Remove from heat. Stir in the chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, grated white cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. - 5
Gently fold in the cod, haddock, and shrimp. Pour the mixture into the prepared ovenproof dish.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to overmix, which can break up the fish. - 6
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
💡 Tip: For a crispier topping, you can mix the breadcrumbs with a little melted butter. - 7
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the seafood is cooked through and flakes easily.
⏱️ 20-25 minutes - 8
Let stand for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: Delicious served with Irish brown bread or a side salad.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓You can use other types of Irish white fish, such as hake or pollock.
- ✓For a richer sauce, use half milk and half heavy cream.
- ✓Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of spice.
🔄 Variations
- Add a handful of cooked mussels or clams.
- Incorporate finely chopped leeks or spring onions into the sauce.
- Top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese along with the breadcrumbs.