Hoka fish: habitat, useful properties, recipes

This fish also has other names, such as red cod, bacchus, marcurus. Refers to marine predators that prefer to feed on fish. It is distinguished by quite tasty and nutritious meat, which includes a large amount of nutrients that are so necessary for the human body.

Hoka fish: description and features

This fish is a representative of the morov family, which is a subspecies of codfish. The fish is quite specific and got its name because of the features of its body. After being pulled out of the water, she begins to blush. Hence the name “red cod”.

Features of appearance

The fish is characterized by a somewhat elongated body, on which there are many small scales. Outwardly, the color is somewhat nondescript: a gray tint prevails on top, and closer to the bottom it is characterized by a light pink tint. The head is partially flattened from the sides, and a small dark spot can be seen outside the head.

The structure of her jaws is somewhat unusual: the upper jaw is somewhat more massive than the lower one, including longer than it. On the jaws there are a large number of small, but rather sharp teeth, resembling brushes in appearance. In the lower part of the jaw, it is really possible to find a small mustache. In length, the fish grows up to a maximum of 70 cm, with an average mass of 1,5-2 kg, although there were specimens up to 90 cm long.

Habitat

Red cod is found in the coastal waters of Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. It is mainly located at a distance from the coast in the middle layers of the water, and approaches the coastline only to find food.

Reproduction

This species breeds in areas where they spend most of their life. Before the spawning process, the bacchus moves closer to the coastal zone. This period begins at the end of spring or the beginning of summer. For laying eggs, red cod chooses places at a depth of 50 to 70 meters. After the fry are born, plankton enters their diet, and as they grow older, they switch to eating small living organisms, and then to eating fish.

Fishing

Since the fish is tasty, it is caught at a great pace. Within New Zealand, the red cod population is quite substantial. The fish is found at depths from 10 to 200 meters. Up to 7 thousand tons of this delicious fish are caught annually. Australia and New Zealand are considered the main suppliers of this fish. It is supplied fresh-frozen to almost all European countries.

What is interesting about this fish

Interesting instructive facts about this fish are known. For example:

• Despite the fact that it belongs to the cod species, it has nothing to do with cod. She differs from her both in appearance and behavior.
• It can be easily distinguished from other fish by the characteristic dark spot located behind the head.
• It changes color as soon as you take it out of the water.
• This fish is valued, and meat-based dishes are considered delicacy.

Useful properties of hoki

The usefulness of this fish lies in the fact that its meat contains a sufficient amount of iodine, which can only positively affect the functions of the human body, including:

• The speed of biochemical reactions.
• To speed up metabolic processes in the body.
• To normalize thyroid function.
• To optimize the functioning of the central nervous system.
• On the general condition of the entire nervous system.

Hoku would be wise to include in the diet of each person, at least once a week. It contains an incredible amount of vitamins and minerals. Due to the fact that there are practically no small bones in it, it is safe to give it to small children.

Flavor characteristics

Hoki meat is white in color and incredibly tasty. If cooked correctly, then it really tastes like cod meat. The meat is not fatty and is great for preparing various gourmet dishes.

Caloric value

100 grams of hoki meat contains about 73 kcal., including:

• Moisture – 81 grams.
• Proteins – 17 grams.
• Fat – 0,6 grams.
• Omega-3 – 0,3 grams.

Presence of vitamins and minerals

Red cod is distinguished by the presence of such useful substances:

• Yoda.
• Phosphorus.
• Gland.
• calcium.
• Fluorine.
• Potassium.
• magnesium.
• Selena.
• many amino acids.
• Lenolenic and linoleic acids.
• Vitamins A, F, D, E, B.

Recipes for delicious dishes for cooking hoki

There are many recipes for incredibly delicious hoki fish. And no wonder, since the meat of this fish is very tasty and quite healthy.

Hoki stew with tomatoes and olives

This dish can be prepared regularly as it takes very little time to cook. For four people, you need to prepare the following components:

• Hoki meat – 600 grams or 4 servings.
• Canned tomatoes – 300 grams.
• One onion.
• Olives – 170 grams, pitted.

How to cook hoka fish:

1. Tomatoes are peeled and cut into cubes. The onion is peeled and minced.
2. The oven is turned on at 180 degrees and, in a baking dish, the onion is fried in vegetable oil.
3. After that, tomatoes, salt and spices are added to the onion to taste.
4. Then, after they sweat a little, fish meat is laid out on them.
5. The dish is in the oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked.
6. The fish is served to the table in the same form, seasoned with herbs.

Baked hoka with herbs

To prepare the dish, you should stock up on the following ingredients:

• 500-600 grams of fish meat.
• One lemon.
• Breadcrumbs.
• Pesto sauce.
• Crushed nuts – 2 tablespoons.
• Greenery.
• Garlic.

How the dish is prepared:

1. The oven is turned on at a temperature of 180-200 degrees.
2. Foil is placed on the baking dish.
3. Lemon zest is rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with breadcrumbs, pesto, crushed nuts and parsley.
4. Fish meat is laid out on a baking dish, which must be salted and peppered beforehand, and chopped garlic must also be added.
5. A sauce with herbs is poured on top of the dish and all this is poured with vegetable oil.
6. The dish is baked for about half an hour until the fish meat is covered with a golden crust.

Fried hoka in oatmeal batter

It turns out not only tasty, but also a beautiful dish, especially if you sprinkle it with lemon juice and pour cream or not sweet yogurt before serving.

But first you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• 400 grams of pure fish meat.
• 0,5 cups of oatmeal.
• 4 Art. spoons of flour.
• One egg.
• 1 teaspoon curry.
• Vegetable oil.
• Salt.
• Spice.

Method of cooking.

1. It is better to grind oatmeal in a meat grinder, but if you use them like this, then this will not be a mistake.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, curry, salt and spices. Place the beaten egg in another bowl, and the cereal in another bowl.
3. The meat of the fish is cut into small pieces.
4. These pieces are alternately rolled in flour, beaten egg and flakes.
5. The fish is fried in a heated frying pan with vegetable oil. The fire should not be big. Hoki meat is cooked until a golden hue appears.

Baked hoka with sour cream sauce

This delicious dish will be ready in 20 minutes. To prepare it you will need:

• Fillet hoki – 0,5 kg.
• Three tomatoes.
• One lemon.
• One onion.
• 100 grams of sour cream.
• 100 grams of milk.
• One egg.
• 150 grams of hard cheese.
• Salt.
• Spice.

Technology of preparation:

1. The fish meat is thoroughly washed, after which lemon juice, salt and spices are added to it to taste. Then you need to wait for it to marinate.
2. Onions and tomatoes are cut into rings.
3. A couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil, half of the cooked onion and half of the tomatoes are added to the baking dish.
4. Fish meat is laid out on top, on which the remaining onions and tomatoes are poured.
5. An egg is beaten with sour cream, milk and salt are added.
6. After that, the prepared sauce is poured onto the fish.
7. The dish is prepared in the oven at a temperature of 180 degrees for half an hour. After that, the dish is removed from the oven and sprinkled with chopped hard cheese, after which it is again sent to the oven for a few minutes.
8. Before serving, the dish is seasoned with herbs.

Hoka fish or red cod is characterized by incredibly tasty and nutritious meat. It contains a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. It remains only to cook it correctly in order to preserve the maximum amount of various useful substances. At the same time, it must be remembered that the smallest amount of them remains in fried fish.