Whole stuffed pike perch in the oven

Step-by-step preparation

Cooking time: 2 hr 30 mins

1. STEP 1

   

   First, prepare the necessary ingredients for cooking the whole stuffed pike perch in the oven. We take the oil out of the refrigerator immediately so that while we prepare the fish, it becomes soft.

2. STEP 2

   

   First of all, we will prepare the pike perch for stuffing. Ideally, this is freshly caught fish; it is the most delicious and nutritious. If the pike perch is frozen, then you need to put it in the refrigerator and keep it there until it thaws completely. Pike perch is a spiny fish, so first of all we get rid of the fins using scissors. Then we clean off the scales and remove the eyes and gills. Rinse the fish thoroughly and dry with a paper towel.

3. STEP 3

   

   There are two ways to remove bones from pike perch before stuffing – from the back and from the belly. We will do the first option, since, in my opinion, it is the simplest and most convenient. Using a very sharp knife, cut the back along the ridge on both sides from head to tail. Now carefully cut along the rib bones to the bottom, without cutting through the abdomen.

4. STEP 4

   

   We break the rib bone at the head and tail. Carefully remove the bones and entrails (they remain inside the ribs). Wash the pike perch and dry it.

5. STEP 5

   

   Carefully, without damaging the skin, cut off the meat, leaving 0.5 centimeters of meat on the skin.

6. STEP 6

   

   We break the loaf into pieces and fill it with milk, let it stand for 10 minutes and squeeze it out. It is better to take a soft bun without aromatic additives, so as not to overpower the fishy taste.

7. STEP 7

   

   Place the bun and cut fillet into the blender bowl. Punch until smooth. This can also be done using a meat grinder with a fine attachment.

8. STEP 8

   

   Peel the onion, rinse and finely chop. Pour 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 5-7 minutes until tender and cool.

9. STEP 9

   

   Add the onion to the fish mixture and mix.

10. STEP 10

    

    Add soft butter to the minced meat and mix thoroughly until smooth.

11. STEP 11

    

    Break the egg and add it to the minced fish, stir until smooth.

12. STEP 12

    

    Place the pike perch carcass on the table and with wet hands evenly distribute the minced fish. Do not overstuff the carcass, otherwise the skin will burst in the oven.

13. STEP 13

    

    Using a needle and confectionery thread (you can use simple thread), sew up the top, not very tightly.

14. STEP 14

    

    Spread the foil and grease with the remaining vegetable oil. Place the pike perch and wrap it up. We do this very carefully so as not to tear the foil. You will learn a lot of useful information about using foil by reading the article at the end of the recipe.

15. STEP 15

    

    Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Place the pike perch in foil on a baking sheet, pour a little water and bake the fish in a hot oven for 30-40 minutes. Remove the pike perch from the oven and remove the foil. The times are approximate, check the oven. Read about ovens in the article below the steps.

16. STEP 16

    

    If it’s hot, then just cut it into portions and serve with any side dish. But we will be making an appetizer for the holiday table, so let the fish cool completely. Transfer to a serving platter or tray. We insert olives into the empty eye holes - these are the eyes. For shine, grease them with vegetable oil.

17. STEP 17

    

    Place mayonnaise in a carnet or pastry bag and decorate the surface of the pike perch to your taste.

18. STEP 18

    

    Place greens, lemon and vegetables around the pike perch. Serve immediately.

19. STEP 19

    

    Bon appetit.

Comments on the recipe

Julia

26.10.2023

4.6

What an elegant fish it turned out to be! Like in the movie on the royal table.

Natalia Tsibulskaya

26.10.2023

4.5

Lara, congratulations on the Victory! Good girl!!!

Tatiana

26.10.2023

4.5

Thanks to the author of the recipe. Indeed, the fish turned out great. I served it on the table as a cold appetizer. I recommend to everyone!

ElenaMazur

26.10.2023

4.5

What a beauty! I just stuffed the pike. But I couldn’t decorate it so beautifully.