Fairly Classic Gefilte Fish

Name: Fairly Classic Gefilte Fish
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 24 pieces, about 12 servings
Cuisine: jewish
Ingredients: 3 pounds fish fillets, preferably; 1 pound each whitefish, pike and carp, cut in 1-inch squares; 1 cup finely chopped onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons minced parsley; 1/3 cup matzoh meal; Juice of 1 lemon; 1/2 cup dry white kosher for Passover wine, or water; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 2 egg whites, lightly beaten; 2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste; 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper or to taste; 1 quart fish stock (see below); 2 carrots, peeled; Prepared horseradish; 3 pounds fish bones and heads; 8 cups water (approximately); 1 large carrot, peeled; 1 large onion, peeled and quartered; 3 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon white peppercorns; Kosher salt to taste

By Florence Fabricant

Updated June 11, 2024

Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes plus chilling
Rating: 4(5)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: No Matter the Passover Menu, It's Got to Have Gefilte Fish

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Ingredients

Yield:24 pieces, about 12 servings

For the Fish

3pounds fish fillets, preferably
1pound each whitefish, pike and carp, cut in 1-inch squares
1cup finely chopped onion
2cloves garlic, minced
2tablespoons minced parsley
⅓cup matzoh meal
Juice of 1 lemon
½cup dry white kosher for Passover wine, or water
2eggs, lightly beaten
2egg whites, lightly beaten
2teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
1½teaspoons freshly ground pepper or to taste
1quart fish stock (see below)
2carrots, peeled
Prepared horseradish

For the Stock

3pounds fish bones and heads
8cups water (approximately)
1large carrot, peeled
1large onion, peeled and quartered
3bay leaves
1teaspoon white peppercorns
Kosher salt to taste

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Grind the fish, but not too finely. In a food processor it should be done in two batches, about 24 pulses each. Mix the fish with the onion, garlic, parsley, matzoh meal, lemon juice, wine or water and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Do not underseason. The best way to check the seasonings is to poach a small amount of the mixture in simmering water and taste.
Step 2
For the stock, place the fish bones and heads in a stockpot. Cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Boil about 5 minutes, skimming constantly. Lower heat to a simmer.
Step 3
Add the remaining stock ingredients except the salt, and simmer gently about 1½ hours, adding additional water as needed to keep the ingredients covered. Strain through a very fine strainer. Season with salt.
Step 4
Pour the stock into a large shallow saucepan. Add the carrots, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the carrots, slice them and refrigerate. Add enough water to the stock so the liquid is about 3 inches deep. Bring to a simmer.
Step 5
Keeping your hands wet with cold water, form the fish mixture into oval patties about 3 inches long. Slip as many as will fit comfortably into the pan, and poach for 30 minutes. Remove and drain them, and continue poaching the rest. When all the fish is cooked, transfer it to a bowl or serving dish, scatter the carrot slices over it and refrigerate.
Step 6
Boil down the cooking liquid until it is reduced to about 3 cups. Strain through a fine strainer. Spoon some over the cooled fish. Refrigerate the rest. It should jell. Skim the surface.
Step 7
Serve the fish cold with horseradish and jellied broth on the side.