Azure Coast Harissa Hake Traybake 🌊🐉

Clan: Blue Dragon 🌊

Category: Seafood Recipes

Azure Coast Harissa Hake Traybake

Along the sun-drenched shores of the Azure Coast, Blue Dragon clans cast their nets into crystal-clear waters while spice merchants arrive from distant kingdoms laden with exotic treasures. This Harissa Hake Traybake combines flaky white fish, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, crispy smashed potatoes, and cooling lemon yoghurt to create a feast worthy of any sea captain’s table. Adapted from a treasured coastal recipe that balances warmth, spice, and freshness in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Packed with Mediterranean flavours
Perfect balance of spice and freshness
Crispy smashed potatoes add wonderful texture
Healthy yet satisfying
Ideal for sharing with family and friends

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

45 Minutes

Serves

Ingredients

For the Harissa Hake Traybake

3 thick hake loin fillets (approximately 780g total)
2 courgettes, chunked
2 peppers, chunked
2 red onions, cut into wedges
300g cherry tomatoes
2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and dried
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste
Small squeeze lemon juice

Harissa Dressing

2½ tbsp harissa paste
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp honey
Pinch of salt

For the Crispy Smashed Potatoes

1.2–1.5kg baby or new potatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper
Small squeeze lemon juice
Fresh parsley (optional)

Lemon Yoghurt

250g Greek yoghurt
1–2 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp honey
Pinch of salt
Drizzle of olive oil

Method

Step 1 – Prepare the Potatoes

Place the potatoes into a large saucepan of salted water.

Bring to the boil and cook for 15–20 minutes until fork tender.

Drain and allow them to steam dry for 5–10 minutes.

Step 2 – Begin the Coastal Roast

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan).

Place the courgettes, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and chickpeas into a large roasting tray.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Add the smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Toss thoroughly until evenly coated.

Roast for 25 minutes.

Step 3 – Create the Dragon’s Potatoes

Place the cooked potatoes onto a lined baking tray.

Using the bottom of a glass, gently press each potato until slightly flattened.

Mix the olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Brush over the potatoes.

Roast for 35–40 minutes until golden and crisp.

Step 4 – Forge the Harissa Glaze

In a small bowl, combine the harissa paste, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and salt.

Mix thoroughly.

Step 5 – Summon the Sea’s Bounty

Remove the vegetable tray from the oven.

Nestle the hake fillets amongst the vegetables.

Brush generously with the harissa glaze.

Return to the oven for 15–18 minutes until the fish flakes easily.

Step 6 – Prepare the Lemon Yoghurt

Mix together the Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, honey, and salt.

Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

Step 7 – Finish the Feast

Allow the fish to rest for 3–4 minutes.

Slice the hake into thick portions if desired.

Spoon a little of the roasting juices over the fish.

Serve alongside the crispy smashed potatoes and lemon yoghurt.

🐉 Dragon’s Tip

Drying the chickpeas thoroughly before roasting helps them become beautifully crisp and adds wonderful texture to the finished traybake.

🗺️ Adventurer’s Notes

🌊 Blue Dragon Catch

Swap the hake for cod, haddock, pollock, or sea bass depending on the day’s catch.

🔥 Tidecaller Upgrade

Increase the harissa paste and add chilli flakes for a fiercer sea dragon’s feast.

⚔️ Captain’s Feast

Serve with warm flatbreads and extra lemon yoghurt for a tavern-style banquet.

🧄 Harbourmaster’s Secret

Roast whole garlic cloves alongside the vegetables for extra depth of flavour.

💰 Market Day Saver

Frozen white fish fillets work wonderfully if fresh hake is unavailable.

🏕️ Coastal Camp Method

Cook the vegetables in a foil tray on a barbecue and add the fish during the final cooking stage.

📜 Lore of the Hoard

The Blue Dragons of the Azure Coast are renowned for combining the bounty of the sea with spices brought by travelling merchants. During the Festival of Tides, fishing crews compete to land the finest catch while cooks prepare enormous seafood feasts overlooking the harbour. Legend tells of a spice trader who exchanged a jar of fiery harissa for a basket of freshly caught hake, creating a dish so beloved that it quickly spread throughout the coastal realms. Today, Azure Coast Harissa Hake Traybake remains a favourite among sailors, adventurers, and dragonkind alike. 🌊🐉