Hake Pudding Recipe: Spanish Seafood Loaf for Special Days 2026

This hake pudding is the kind of dish that looks impressive on a holiday table but is genuinely easy to put together. It is a smooth, savory seafood loaf made with flaked hake, shrimp, eggs, cream, roasted red pepper and a touch of tomato, then baked gently in a water bath until just set.

Because it is served cold or at room temperature, you can make it a day ahead and simply unmold it when your guests arrive. The texture is silky and delicate, so it pairs beautifully with crisp crudités like cherry tomatoes, spring onions, celery or carrot sticks.

For the best flavor, the hake is seared in olive oil instead of boiled, and the shrimp are cooked in the same pan so their juices can be pressed out later and folded into mayonnaise for a quick, briny sauce. One batch serves eight as a main course.

Ingredients for Hake Pudding

This makes 8 servings as a main course.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 400 g hake
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 300 g shrimp
• 3 medium eggs
• 250 ml cooking cream
• 100 g tomato sauce
• 1 roasted red pepper
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs

How to Make Hake Pudding Step by Step

1. Sear the hake

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and brown 400 g of hake that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Set the fish aside on a plate. Searing it instead of boiling gives the pudding a deeper, more savory flavor.

2. Cook the shrimp

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet and cook 300 g of shrimp until they turn pink and opaque. Remove them and set aside, keeping the heads and shells for the sauce later.

3. Mix the custard base

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. In a large bowl, whisk 3 medium eggs with 250 ml cooking cream, 100 g tomato sauce, 1 roasted red pepper and 1 tablespoon thyme. Season with salt and pepper and stir until smooth.

4. Add the flaked fish and shrimp

Flake the hake and peel the shrimp, reserving the shells and heads. Blend the fish and shrimp briefly, then fold them into the egg mixture, stirring until everything is evenly combined.

5. Prepare the mold

Grease a 24 cm by 11 cm loaf pan with 1 teaspoon of butter and dust it with 1 tablespoon of breadcrumbs. This keeps the pudding from sticking and helps it release cleanly after baking.

6. Fill the mold

Pour the fish mixture into the prepared mold and set it inside a roasting pan. Add enough hot water to the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the mold so the pudding bakes in a water bath.

7. Bake in a water bath

Cover the pudding with parchment paper, then with aluminum foil if you like, and bake at 180 °C for 1 hour, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely without unmolding.

8. Make the shrimp sauce

While the pudding cools, crush the reserved shrimp shells and heads to release their juices. Strain the liquid and mix it with 60 g of mayonnaise for a quick, savory sauce.

9. Unmold and serve

Unmold the hake pudding and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Just before bringing it to the table, decorate it with the shrimp sauce and, if you like, 2 spring onions and 6 cherry tomatoes cut in half.

Tips for the Best Hake Pudding

Choose the right fish and shrimp

Frozen hake works perfectly here, but fresh shrimp are worth seeking out because their juices give the sauce its final touch. If you only have frozen shrimp, simply serve the pudding with mayonnaise or pink sauce instead.

Grease and line the mold well

Butter and breadcrumbs are the classic combination for a clean release. Use a 24 cm by 11 cm loaf pan, coat every corner with butter and sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly so the pudding slides out without tearing.

Serve with a crisp contrast

The pudding has a very smooth, soft texture, so it shines next to crunchy crudités such as cherry tomatoes, spring onions, celery, carrot or red onion sticks. These fresh bites balance each creamy slice.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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