Andy Montoya
Haddock in cheese sauce is a tasty and easy dish that can be ready in under half an hour. The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, to which milk is added to create a béchamel. Cheese is then added to the béchamel to create the cheese sauce. The cheese sauce can be adapted to include different herbs and spices, such as mustard, paprika, or garlic. The haddock fillets are baked in the oven and served with vegetables and potatoes or rice.
Characteristics of cooking haddock in cheese sauce
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350 degrees |
| Haddock quantity | 1.5 pounds |
| Butter quantity | 4 tablespoons |
| Flour quantity | 4 tablespoons |
| Salt quantity | 1 teaspoon |
| Black pepper quantity | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Dry mustard quantity | 0.5 teaspoon |
| Milk quantity | 2 cups |
| Cheddar cheese quantity | 8 ounces |
| Sauce preparation | Melt butter, add flour, milk, and cheese. Stir until melted. |
| Baking time | 25-30 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Brown rice, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, broccoli |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the sauce
First, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium to high heat. You'll need around 4 tablespoons of butter for this recipe, but you can adjust the amount to your preference. Once melted, add in the flour and whisk together. You can also add some dry mustard for extra flavour. Cook this mixture for about 30 seconds to a minute, stirring constantly.
Next, slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously. You can use regular milk or low-fat milk, depending on your preference. For a creamier sauce, you can also add some whipping cream at this stage. Additionally, if you're making a more complex sauce, you can add a fish or chicken stock pot/cube and whisk until dissolved. Continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 7-8 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Finally, add the cheese and stir until it's completely melted. You can use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination of both. Season with salt and pepper, and perhaps some mustard, to taste. If you want a thicker sauce, simply let it cook for a minute or two longer, stirring constantly. And that's it—your cheese sauce is now ready to be poured over the haddock!
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Cook the haddock
To cook the haddock, first preheat your oven to 350 degrees. If you are working with large pieces of haddock, cut them into 6 similarly-sized portions. Place the fish in an ungreased 9x13 glass or metal baking pan and set it aside.
In a small bowl, mix together flour, salt, pepper, and dry mustard. Melt butter over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the flour mixture and whisk together, cooking for about 1 minute. Next, slowly pour in the milk, stirring continuously with a whisk. Keep cooking over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes, stirring most of the time, until the sauce thickens. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it cook for a minute or two longer.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in your choice of shredded cheese—such as Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss—until it melts. You can also add some Parmesan cheese for extra flavour. Sprinkle some flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and gradually add the whipping cream and chicken stock mixture, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
Continue cooking until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. If you want a richer sauce, you can add some cream and whisk until combined. Finally, pour the sauce over the haddock in the baking pan. Cook the haddock uncovered in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the fish is hot and flakes easily with a fork.
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Combine the sauce and haddock
To combine the sauce and haddock, start by placing the fish in an ungreased baking pan. If you're working with large pieces of haddock, cut them into similarly sized portions.
Next, prepare your cheese sauce. In a saucepan, melt butter and add flour, whisking to combine. Cook this mixture for about 30 seconds to a minute. Then, gradually add milk, whisking continuously until it's well incorporated and the sauce thickens—this should take around 7 to 8 minutes. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can cook it a little longer, stirring constantly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in your choice of shredded cheese. Common options include sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted. You can also add some mustard to your sauce for extra flavour.
Finally, pour the sauce over the haddock in the baking pan. If you're making an au gratin dish, sprinkle the sauce-covered haddock with breadcrumbs and return it to the oven to bake. The dish is ready when the sauce is bubbling and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
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Bake in the oven
To cook haddock in cheese sauce in the oven, you can follow these steps:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. If you are working with large pieces of haddock, cut them into similarly sized portions. Grease a baking dish or pan that is large enough to accommodate the fish in a single layer. You can use a glass or metal baking pan, or individual-sized au gratin dishes.
Next, prepare the haddock. Sprinkle the fish fillets with seasonings like garlic salt and pepper. You can also add other spices or herbs of your choice. Place the seasoned haddock fillets in the prepared baking dish. If you are using smaller au gratin dishes, you may need to cut the ends of the fillets to make them fit neatly. Set the dish aside while you make the cheese sauce.
To make the cheese sauce, start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Once melted, add flour and whisk to combine. Cook this mixture for a short time, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Gradually add milk to the saucepan, continuing to whisk as you pour. You can also add chicken stock or fish stock to enhance the flavour. Keep cooking the sauce over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens. This should take around 7 to 8 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and add shredded cheese. Stir the sauce until the cheese is completely melted and combined. You can use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination of cheeses.
Now, pour the cheese sauce over the haddock fillets in the baking dish. Make sure the fish is completely coated in the sauce. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes. The haddock is done when it is hot and flakes easily with a fork.
Finally, remove the baked haddock from the oven and let it stand for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish with sliced green onions, paprika, and a slice of orange or lemon. Serve the haddock with your choice of sides, such as potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables. Enjoy your delicious oven-baked haddock in cheese sauce!
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Serve with sides
Haddock in cheese sauce is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides to enhance the flavour and make a complete meal. Here are some ideas for sides that will complement the dish:
Rice or Potatoes
As suggested by Juggling with Julia, serving the haddock with brown rice or mashed baby red potatoes can add a hearty and filling element to the dish. Sweet potatoes are another great option that can pair well with the cheese sauce. If you're looking for a lighter option, steamed rice is also a perfect choice to accompany the rich flavours of the haddock and cheese sauce.
Vegetables
Steamed or stir-fried vegetables can add a healthy and colourful touch to the dish. Broccoli is a popular choice, as suggested by Juggling with Julia, but you can also opt for other vegetables such as carrots, peas, or green beans. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even include sautéed mushrooms, onions, and spinach, as suggested by Looks Good Lets Eat, for a more robust flavour profile.
Salads
A fresh and crisp salad can also be a great side dish to balance out the richness of the haddock in cheese sauce. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy sauce. You can also experiment with different types of salads, such as a tomato and mozzarella salad or a citrusy fruit salad, to add a unique twist to your meal.
Bread
To soak up the delicious cheese sauce, serving the haddock with a side of crusty bread or rolls can be a wonderful addition. Warm, freshly baked bread can be perfect for dipping into the sauce and creating a comforting and indulgent dining experience.
Seafood Sides
As the haddock is the star of the show, why not double down on the seafood theme and include some complementary seafood sides? Some ideas could be steamed mussels or clams, grilled shrimp skewers, or even a simple crab salad. These additions will enhance the maritime flavours of the dish and create a truly indulgent seafood feast.
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