Serbian Baked Fish with Vegetables and Herbs (Riba Pečena sa Povrćem i Začinima)
A simple yet elegant dish featuring fresh fish baked with a medley of vegetables and aromatic herbs. This recipe highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients, making it a healthy and delicious option.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 x 200g Whole fish(e.g., trout, carp, or sea bass, cleaned)
- 400 g Potatoes(peeled and thinly sliced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 medium Onion(thinly sliced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(sliced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(thinly sliced)
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill(chopped)
- 1 medium Lemon(sliced)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 100 ml White wine(optional)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold all the fish and vegetables.
- 2
Arrange the sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions in an even layer at the bottom of the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Place the whole fish on top of the vegetables. Make a few shallow scores on the sides of each fish with a sharp knife.
- 4
Stuff the cavities of the fish with some of the sliced lemon, garlic, chopped parsley, and dill. Place a few slices of tomato and lemon on top of each fish.
- 5
Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the fish and vegetables. If using, pour the white wine into the bottom of the baking dish.
- 6
Season the fish generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining chopped herbs over the fish.
- 7
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
- 8
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, and the vegetables are tender. The skin should be slightly crispy.
- 9
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the fish with the baked vegetables directly from the dish.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Choose fresh fish for the best flavor. Ask your fishmonger to clean and gut the fish for you.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the baking dish; ensure there's enough space for even cooking.
- ✓Adjust the herbs according to your preference. Rosemary or thyme can also be used.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or leeks.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Serve with a dollop of kajmak or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.