Monkfish Crazy Water Style Food

FISH IN CRAZY WATER

Steps:

• Trim the spring onions and fennel (reserving any leafy tops), peel the carrot, then slice them all 1/2-centimeter-thick (1/4-inch-thick). Halve the tomatoes. Peel and finely slice the garlic and chilli. Squash and destone the olives. Put a large frying pan on a high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir in the onions, fennel and carrot, followed 4 minutes later by the tomatoes, garlic, chilli and olives. Toss regularly for 2 minutes while you lightly score the fish on both sides (this will help flavour and heat to penetrate as it cooks).
• Lay the fish on top of the veg, stuff half the herbs into the cavities, then pour over the wine and let it reduce by half. Add about 300 milliliters (10 ounces) of water, to come 1 centimeter (1/3 inch) up the side of the pan. Cover and leave to thunder away on a high heat for 8 minutes (boiling underneath, steaming on top means fragrant veggies). Pick the remaining herb leaves, finely grate the lemon zest over them, then chop and mix together.
• Uncover the fish and baste with its juices for 1 minute. To check the fish is cooked, go to the thickest part up near the head--if the flesh flakes easily away from the bone, it's done. Remove to a plate, spoon over the veg and juices, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, scatter over the lemony herbs, then squeeze over the lemon juice. Great served with bread to mop up that irresistible sauce, or with new potatoes, couscous or rice.

MONKFISH CRAZY WATER STYLE

Steps:

• Begin by seasoning the monkfish chunks with salt and pepper. Pour the bottle of white wine into a large pot and cook over medium heat until the alcohol is cooked out. Turn the heat to medium-low, and add the sliced garlic. In a medium sized pan over high heat, saute the pearl onions in a small amount of olive oil until they begin to brown. Add these to the wine pot. Next, saute the sliced fennel over high heat with some olive oil until they brown, add these to the wine pot. Wait for the onions and fennel to become soft. In a medium pan over high heat, saute the monkfish chunks with olive oil until they begin to brown as well, add these to the wine pot. Repeat the same process with the bay scallops and add them to the wine pot. While all ingredients are in the wine pot, add salt and pepper, to taste. Finally add the tomatoes and marjoram to the pot and cover for 2 minutes.

MONKFISH WITH LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the monkfish in a bowl with the lemongrass, lime leaves, lemon thyme and olive oil. Cover and chill for 6 hrs to marinate.
• Meanwhile, make the lemon dressing. Chop the strips of lemon zest into small dice and tip into a pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil, then drain. In a small saucepan, cook the blanched lemon zest with the sugar in 140ml water for about 5 mins. Drain the lemon zest and mix together with the remaining ingredients and 2 tbsp water. Taste and season, if you like.
• About 20 mins before you're ready to eat, remove the monkfish from the marinade and lightly season. Heat some olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and fry the monkfish medallions for 4 mins on each side until golden brown. Remove from the pan and allow to rest in a warm place for 4 mins. To serve, gently warm the dressing, adding more water if needed. Spoon it over the monkfish and around the plate, then scatter with rocket leaves.