Sierra is a flavorful fish, ideal for preparing as ceviche, stew, or baked fillets, as in this case. It is a highly regarded source of protein throughout Chile.
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How to Make Chilean Baked Sierra Fish?
Preparing baked sierra fish is a simple and quick recipe that delivers excellent results. It’s enhanced with tomatoes, lemon, and a generous amount of oregano, adding depth and a contrasting flavor to the dish.
Nutritional Facts
Each serving of baked sierra fish contains approximately 296 kcal, 4 g of carbohydrates, 22 g of fat (6 g saturated fat), 20 g of protein, 1 g of fiber, 2 g of sugars, 58 mg of cholesterol, and 232 mg of sodium.
Recipe for Homemade Baked Sierra Fish
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 800 g (28 oz) of sierra fish
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) of tomato sauce
- 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 onion
- 1 tomato
- 1 lemon
- Dried oregano
- Merkén (smoked chili powder)
- Salt
- Pepper
Preparation
- Clean the sierra fish thoroughly, removing any scales. Rinse with cold water, pat dry with paper towels, and place in an oven-safe dish. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring the fillets do not overlap.
- Peel and slice the garlic thinly. Wash, peel, and slice the tomato. Cut the onion into thick slices and slice the lemon into rounds. Set everything aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, tomato sauce, oregano, sliced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined and pour evenly over the fish fillets. Spread butter over the fish and layer the tomato slices, lemon rounds, and onion slices on top. Optionally, sprinkle with extra oregano or merkén.
- Place the dish in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) and bake for 20–30 minutes, depending on the size of the fillets. Ensure the fish remains moist. Serve immediately, paired with boiled potatoes, French fries, or a fresh Chilean salad, along with a glass of Chilean white wine.
Alternative Preparation with Aluminum Foil
For a different approach, use aluminum foil to wrap the ingredients in the baking tray. This method helps concentrate the juices, aromas, and flavors, with a similar cooking time.
Additional Tips
Ask the fishmonger to fillet and clean the sierra fish to save time and reduce waste.
If using frozen fillets, ensure they are of good size and thaw them in the refrigerator’s regular cooling section 24 hours before baking.
Did You Know?
Sierra fish inhabit the Pacific Ocean coasts and can display various shades of green and blue. Their small, saw-like teeth inspired their name, as “sierra” translates to “saw” in Spanish.
