baked carp with tomato sauce

Oven-baked carp with tomato sauce – a simple, healthy, and delicious recipe, perfect for a family meal or a special dinner. This dish is not only a tasty choice but also an easy way to bring fish to your table without requiring advanced cooking skills. Here’s how to achieve a perfect result, step by step.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 4

Necessary ingredients:
- 1 fresh carp (approximately 1-1.5 kg)
- 500 ml quality tomato juice (preferably without preservatives)
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon of dried or fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for greasing the baking dish

Step 1: Preparing the fish
Make sure the carp is clean and gutted. If you lack experience in cleaning fish, you can ask for help at the fish market or supermarket. Rinse it under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel to remove excess water. Place the carp in a baking dish greased with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Preparing the sauce
In a bowl, combine the tomato juice with the crushed garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients well to obtain a smooth and aromatic sauce. Using quality tomato juice is essential as it will influence the final taste of the dish. You can experiment with herb-flavored tomato juice for an extra flavor boost.

Step 3: Assembling
Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the carp, ensuring the fish is well covered. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and allow the fish to cook evenly. This technique also helps intensify the flavors.

Step 4: Baking
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the dish in the oven and let the carp bake for 25-30 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish, so it’s good to check if it’s cooked by a simple test: the flesh should be opaque and flake easily from the bones.

Step 5: Serving
Once the carp is ready, carefully remove the aluminum foil. You can serve the carp directly from the dish, drizzled with a little tomato sauce on top. This recipe pairs perfectly with a side of rice or boiled potatoes and a fresh salad.

Variation suggestion: Instead of thyme, you can use fresh dill or oregano to give the dish a different flavor. Additionally, adding lemon slices to the dish before baking will provide a touch of freshness.

This oven-baked carp recipe with tomato sauce is not only easy to prepare but also full of delicious and healthy flavors. Its rich taste and tender texture will captivate you, making every meal a special moment. Try this simple and tasty recipe and enjoy perfectly cooked fish, full of flavor!