Blue Hake Basics

• Blue hake, also known as blue hoki or New Zealand whiptail, is native to the ocean around southern Australia and New Zealand, and is primarily wild-caught. It has firm, white flesh, and a mild taste, somewhere between tilapia and salmon. Mild fish can easily stray into the realm of bland without fairly aggressive seasoning, but beware of over-seasoning. You need to be able to taste the fish first, not the seasoning.

Traditional Options

• Blue hake will benefit from any of the variety of seasonings used for fish in general: tarragon, dill or thyme for herbs; garlic as an aromatic; and lemon and/or white wine as a accent note. When choosing herbs, pick one, and use enough of it for the taste to come through gently. Dried herbs, when potent, will deliver intense flavor and will hold up better when broiling or grilling. Fresh herbs, with their more delicate flavor, can be added to a basting liquid and applied during baking, according to James Beard, world-renowned chef and author of "The Essential James Beard Cookbook."

Marinades for Blue Hake

• Marinades are another great way to add flavor to mild fish such as blue hake, according to Beard. Start with an oil, preferably extra virgin olive, but another mild-tasting oil will work as well. Add an acid — fresh lemon juice, white wine or white wine vinegar — in slightly less than equal proportion to the oil, then add herbs and an aromatic such as chopped garlic or shallots. A small amount of Dijon mustard or prepared horseradish can provide an additional kick for those who want it. Whisk well and pour over the thawed fish, turning to coat the fish. Let it sit, covered, in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn fish in the marinade halfway through the marinating time.

Try Bright Asian Flavors

• Another strategy for seasoning blue hake is to take a bold approach, and use zesty, Asian-inspired ingredients such as ginger, soy sauce, lemon grass and rice-wine vinegar. Lime works well as a citrus note with this combination of flavors. Feel free to experiment with different combinations and ratios of seasonings to discover your perfect, go-to seasoning blend for this versatile, heart-healthy fish.