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Photograph of Haddock with Semi-dried Tomato Pesto and a Crispy Lemon and Basil Breadcrumb Topping.

Haddock with Semi-dried Tomato Pesto and a Crispy Lemon and Basil Breadcrumb Topping.

This Haddock with Semi-dried Tomato Pesto and Lemon and Basil Breadcrumbs is super quick to make, bakes in only 15 minutes and is a flavour and texture bomb.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Supper
Keyword basil, breadcrumbs, haddock, lemon, pesto
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 1
Author Susan

Ingredients

Haddock –

  • 1 x haddock fillet, roughly 150g – 200g
  • 2 tablespoons semi-dried tomato pesto, or pesto of choice

Breadcrumb topping –

  • 10g unsalted butter
  • 15g panko breadcrumbs
  • 1-2 shredded fresh basil leaves
  • grated zest of ⅛ – ¼ lemon
  • ¾ teaspoon olive oil
  • pinch of fine salt
  • pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Serving suggestions –

  • lemon wedges
  • potatoes, boiled new, roast or mashed
  • green vegetables or green salad
  • mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. Collect together your equipment (see Recipe Notes below) and ingredients.

  2. Preheat oven to fan oven 180°C /200°C/400°F/Gas 6.

  3. First make the breadcrumb topping: measure the butter into a microwave safe mixing bowl and microwave until melted. Alternatively, measure the butter into a saucepan and melt over a medium heat. Take off the heat.

  4. Add the remaining breadcrumb ingredients to the butter and mix thoroughly .

  5. Prepare the haddock: dab the haddock with kitchen paper to dry it and place, skin side down, on an oiled baking tray or baking dish.

  6. Spread the pesto evenly over the top of the fish.

  7. Place the breadcrumb mixture evenly on top of the fillet and press down to make sure it is properly attached to the fish.

  8. Cook: in the middle of a preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the haddock is cooked to your liking and the breadcrumbs have browned and are crispy.

  9. To serve: serve with lemon wedges, mayonnaise and your choice of potatoes and vegetables or salad.

Recipe Notes

Equipment:

  • kitchen scales and measuring spoons
  • microwave safe bowl or small saucepan
  • chopping board and knife
  • fine grater
  • baking tray/dish

How many does this recipe serve?

The quantities given are just for one person. However it is so easy to scale up.

Can I use different pestos in this recipe?

I used my Dairy-free Semi-dried Tomato Pesto which I recently posted, but you can use any pesto, either shop bought or homemade, dairy free or with dairy. My Semi-dried Pesto is quite a thick pesto which spreads easily. If you are using another pesto which is thinner, you may wish to strain it a little to make it easier to spread and stick on to the fish.

Can I use different fish?

This is also delicious with cod, hake and salmon fillets.

Why not try this recipe, with these pestos:

Can I make this ahead of time?

If you like, you can make this a few hours ahead of time, cover and store in the fridge until ready to cook it.

Can you freeze this fish dish?

To be honest I have never frozen it. It is so quick to make that I make it fresh. However, pesto freezes really well, as does fish, so it should freeze well in a covered container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the freezer overnight and cook as described in the recipe.