Polish Greek-Style Fish {Ryba po grecku}
Greek-style fish, Ryba po grecku [ryh-bah poh greh-tskoo] is a traditional Polish Christmas dish, and not, as one may think, a Greek dish. It is unknown where the name of this dish came from, but it is assumed that it relates to the cooking method. Greeks, due to the geographical location, eat a lot of fish and seafood, a lot of times prepared and served with stewed vegetables in season. Perhaps Poles, by using a similar cooking method decided to call it “greek style” fish at some point, but that’s the only resemblance to greek food as it’s going to get.
Ryba po grecku is a dish that was always present on my families’ Christmas Eve dinner table. This, along with eleven other vegetarian dishes will be tasted one by one and again and again. Since there are so many dishes prepared for this special holiday, only a small portion of each is served at a time. We will however repeat the process (eating, not cooking) on Christmas Day (in Poland called 1st day of Christmas), and if there is any more left, on 2nd day of Christmas (26 December). Nobody is complaining about eating the same food over again, as some of this festive fare will not be cooked until next Christmas.
This delicious entrée combines the flavors of sweet root vegetables, aromatic spices and mild fish into a perfect medley of hearty and one-of-a-kind tasting dish. Shredded vegetables are lightly sautéed, but kept slightly undercooked for a bit of crunch and texture. Fish is soft and mild soaking up any extra aromatic juice left in the sauce. Dish is prepared a day ahead of time allowing flavors to combine. It will be served cold.
Polish Greek-Style Fish {Ryba po grecku}
Ingredients
- 1 lb / 500 g of fish filets (any white, mild fish will do)
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp of all-purpose flour
- 3-4 tbsp of oil
- 5 carrots
- 1 parsnip
- ½ a medium celery root or ¾ of a small one
- 1 ½ c of chopped onion
- 1 tbsp of oil + 1 tbsp of butter
- 6 whole peppercorns and allspice berries (each)
- 3 bay leaves
- ½ c / 110 ml of vegetable broth or water
- 3 tbsp of tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- Sprinkle of pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
Instructions
Wash fish fillets, pat dry and cut into about 3-4 inch / 8-10 centimeter pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Break an egg into one dish, add a tablespoon of water and scramble. Place flour in another dish. Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan. Dip each piece of fish in egg, then flour and sauté on medium until cooked and lightly golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel.
Peel carrots, parsnip, and celery root and grate on the largest side of a vegetable box grater. Chop onion. Heat oil and butter in a wide pan / deep frying pan and add peppercorns, allspice berries, and bay leaves, followed by shredded vegetables and onions. Heat through. Add broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper, and paprika. Sauté until cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Don't overcook, leave a bit of crunch in the veggies.
Taste. Add a bit more salt, if needed.
Once veggies are cooked, create layers in a serving dish by placing about ⅓ of the veggie mixture first, then arrange fish pieces and cover with the rest of the veggie mixture. Cover with foil and let cool.
Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Although this dish is served cold during Christmas, it does well and tastes great served as a hot entrée.
Stay tuned for more Christmas dishes and I hope you cook some up this holiday season.
Smacznego!
Much love,
Anna
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Hi Anna, thank you for this recipe! I will be trying it very soon. Could you suggest any particular types of fish that would go well in this dish?
Thank you 🙂
Hi! I would stick to a mild white fish: cod, trout or similar. Good luck!
It’s very easy to justify the Greek name of this dish. Use olive oil for frying the fish and sauteing vegetables. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of oregano, maybe one clove of chopped garlic and a handful of quality olives when sauteing vegetables. This way your dish will acquire Mediterranean character. Enjoy.
I did not add the fish, just made the veggies. I’m not a fan of celery root usually, but these flavors mixed well – I like it.
Oh sure, good idea!
Sounds wonderful!
Do you leave the bay leaves, cloves, allspice, and celery root in the mix, or remove before plating? (I’m used to removing those type items from the dish before serving as they were there for flavor infusion, and nobody wants to chomp down on a peppercorn with their fish LOL
This is a Mediterranean treat.
Napewno jeden z moich ulubionych!
Hi, my aunt loves your site and Youtube. Our cousin from Czarnów (near Craków) uses vinegar in her marinated veg.
Sorry, erreur in town. Chrzanów.