Cod Mornay Recipe Delia Food

COD MORNAY

Steps:

• Add a little vegetable oil to a large frying pan and throw in the chopped shallots. Cook for 10-15 five minutes or until they're nice and soft; you don't want them to colour just soften.
• Now add the spinach and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg - it will look like you have far too much spinach but trust me once it wilts, it'll be fine. Keep the spinach moving about in the pan and once it's wilted (a minute or two) turn off the heat and leave to one side.
• In another (much smaller frying pan) heat up the 250ml of milk and then put the cod in along with a bay leaf and the peppercorns; you'll know when the cod is cooked as it will begin to show signs of flaking.
• Don't overcook the fish as it's going into the oven. Remove the cod from the milk, but keep the milk for making the sauce.
• Put the cod onto a plate and use a fork to break it up. It will naturally fall into flakes quite easily. Don't mush it up, keep those flakes of cod looking good!
• Now peel and very thinly slice (2mm) seriously they need to be thin or they won't cook, so it's best to use a mandolin slicer.
• Lay the potatoes in a shallow dish with a little water and cover with cling film, make a couple of holes and pop it into the microwave for about 1 minute.
• Give the potatoes a stir and back into the microwave for another minute or so - the exact time will depend on your microwave and how thinly you sliced those potatoes. They need to be pretty much cooked as they won't have time to cook properly once they are in the oven.
• *Time to make the sauce - see below*
• In a medium-sized saucepan add the butter and once it's melted add the flour.
• Cook for a minute or so whilst stirring with a wooden spoon, if you don't cook the flour your sauce will taste floury and will be lumpy.
• Add the milk you reserved earlier when you poached the cod, add it a little at a time stirring all the while.
• Now add the mustard and the 220ml of milk, stirring continuously on the heat until the sauce bubbles and begins to thicken.
• Add a pinch of salt and turn down to a simmer and cook for around 5 minutes - you will need to keep stirring.
• Remove the sauce from the heat, find the 3 peppercorns and discard.
• Stir in the grated Gruyere cheese until you have a nice thick but smooth sauce. If you really need to you can add a tiny bit more milk.
• To finish the cod mornay, butter a 10-inch gratin dish or similar.
• Do a layer of potatoes and season lightly with salt and pepper, then add the spinach followed by the rest of the potatoes.
• Now add the fish and top with the rest of the sauce.
• Sprinkle the top with the panko crumbs and add a handful of Cheddar cheese.
• Bake on the middle shelf of your preheated oven for about 40 minutes, check that everything is piping hot and serve with some nice peas.

CLASSIC MORNAY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the roux is pale yellow and frothy, about 1 minute. Do not allow the roux to brown. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil, about 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and season with the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Allow to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. This is now called a bechamel sauce, and may be used as is to top any number of dishes.
• Stir in the cheese and whisk until melted. If the sauce seems to thick, thin with a little milk.
• The sauce is now called a Mornay Sauce. Pour over steamed vegetables and serve immediately. If not using right away, cool, cover surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several days.

ENGLISH FISH MORNAY

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pan, fry the onions until tender (about 2 minutes).
• Add the flour and cook for a full minute, add the milk and milk. Reduce the heat and whisk. Add the mustard and mix through.
• Add the fish and simmer for 5 minutes stirring carefully. Add the cream and pour into a well buttered pie plate or shallow ceramic baking dish.
• Top with the potato topping very carefully in small spoonfuls (so it doesn't sink to the bottom).
• Top with the cheese and breadcrumbs and bake for 40 minutes at 180oC (360F).
• Serve with bread and butter and steamed seasonal veggies.
• To make topping:.
• Mash the potatoes in a large bowl with the milk and butter. I like to use my hand beater to get it really smooth.

COD, CAULIFLOWER & CHORIZO MORNAY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and blanch the cauliflower for 3-4 mins until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan and cook the chorizo for a couple of mins to brown, then remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil behind. Melt the butter in the pan, then add the flour to make a roux. Pour in the milk gradually, whisking constantly, until smooth. Add the Gruyère, stir until melted, then season.
• Put the cauliflower in a baking dish (or divide between individual dishes) with the chorizo and cod. Spoon over the cheese sauce and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and parsley. Bake for 30-40 mins until the top is golden.

HADDOCK MORNAY

Steps:

• Bake at 350.
• Arrange fillets in a large shallow baking dish. Brush lightly with butter or margarine. Add salt and pepper.
• Place a buttered piece of brown paper or parchment paper over fish. Bake 35-40 minute or until done. Ten minute before fish is done, drain off liquid and remove paper. Fish should be just barely done with plenty of moisture still in the flesh. While fish is baking, prepare sauce.
• To make sauce: In heavy saucepan, heat butter, add onions and saute. Add flour, stirring constantly.
• Saute over low heat, stirring for 3-4 mi. to make a roux. Continue to stir, add milk or half and half and chicken base or bouillon cube. Stir until sauce thickens.
• Add salt and white pepper to taste. When sauce is of a medium to medium-thick consistency, remove from heat. Add cheeses and Worcestershire sauce and blend. Add sherry.
• Pour hot sauce over fish to cover. Top with Parmesan cheese and grated cheddar cheese mixed with a few bread crumbs, if desired.
• Bake in preheated 325 oven 20-30 minute or until sauce bubbles. Serve immediately. Makes 8-10 servings.
• If dish is prepared ahead and baked later, be sure that the center of the sauce is bubbling when reheated. This will take about 1 hour.