Line baked in the oven

Step-by-step cooking

1. Step 1:

   

   Prepare all the necessary ingredients for cooking. Ideally, the line should be freshly caught, but if this is not the case, the fish should be defrosted on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Fresh lines have a golden or copper color, but the fish that lies down for a while changes color to dark or changes color in spots. Due to this, they got their name. Thyme can be taken not only fresh, but also dried twigs are quite suitable.

2. Step 2:

   

   Wash the fish under cold water and remove the scales. This can be done with a special device or just with a knife. The tench has small scales and is usually well cleaned, but if difficulties arise, you can pour it with hot water (NOT BOILING WATER) for just a few seconds. The scales will be cleaned faster. Then remove the eyes, gills and insides. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a paper towel.

3. Step 3:

   

   Since this fish prefers a muddy bottom, and they are also often caught in lakes, the meat may have a slight smell of mud. To get rid of it, put the gutted fish in a bowl, and pour cold milk for 2 hours.

4. Step 4:

   

   Remove the fish from the milk and pat it with a paper towel or napkin. Make diagonal incisions on the surface without cutting through to the end, this is necessary to cut small bones. Season the fish with salt and pepper inside and out.

5. Step 5:

   

   Put a sprig of thyme (optional) and a slice of lemon into the abdomen.

6. Step 6:

   

   Put a sprig of dill into the abdomen as well. This will give the finished fish an aroma and taste.

8. Step 7:

   

   Spread out the baking foil and put the tench on it. Cover the fish completely with foil, each separately.

9. Step 8:

   

   Lay the fish on a baking sheet in one layer so that the fish do not embarrass each other. Otherwise, it will stick to the foil with the skin and fall apart when getting it.

10. Step 9:

    

    Bake the fish in a hot oven at 180 degrees for 20 minutes. Then take out the pan with the fish and open it.

11. Step 10:

    

    Put the line back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes so that the fish is baked and covered with a beautiful crust, but do not over-dry it.

12. Step 11:

    

    Remove the fish from the oven, transfer to a plate and serve. Very tasty with boiled new potatoes, sprinkled with fresh dill.

13. Step 12:

    

    Bon appetit.