Smoked Haddock Jerusalem Artichoke Gratin Food

SMOKED HADDOCK & JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE GRATIN

Steps:

• Peel the artichokes carefully with a sharp knife or peeler, cut them into 2cm chunks, then place into a bowl of cold water with the lemon juice to prevent discolouring.
• Place a large saucepan over a medium heat and add the butter. When it begins to sizzle, add the shallots and a pinch of salt. Stir the shallots to coat them with the butter and cook for 5 mins until they begin to soften. Add the bay and thyme leaves and drained artichokes, then stir to mix them all together.
• Add 200ml water to the pan, bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cover so that the artichokes cook gently for about 10-12 mins. When they are beginning to soften, add the cream, bring to a simmer again and cook until the sauce is reduced slightly and the artichokes are tender. Season the mixture with a little pepper, then remove from the heat and discard the bay leaves. At this point, you can chill the mixture, and finish the dish when you are ready. It will keep happily in the fridge for a few hrs.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the smoked haddock cubes in a gratin dish big enough to hold them in a single layer. Pour over the artichokes and sauce, spreading the mixture out evenly. Top with breadcrumbs and a few small dots of butter. Place the gratin dish on a baking sheet and bake for 30 mins, until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

SMOKED HADDOCK GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Place the spinach in a large colander in a sink and carefully and slowly pour over a kettleful of hot water to wilt it. Cool again under the cold tap then squeeze out as much liquid from the spinach as possible. Butter a medium gratin dish. Roughly chop the spinach and scatter evenly over the base of the dish. Season the spinach lightly with salt and pepper and lay the haddock fillets, skinned side down on top. Nestle the tomatoes among the haddock fillets.
• Mix all the ingredients for the topping, except the breadcrumbs, in a small bowl and season with lots of pepper and a little salt. Dollop and spread the mixture over the fish and spinach. Scatter everything with the breadcrumbs and bake for 30 mins until bubbling and golden. If you like things really grilled finish for a few mins under a hot grill. Serve straight from the dish.

SMOKED HADDOCK & BACON GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the butter in a shallow flameproof casserole dish and sizzle the bacon until it changes colour. Add the onion and thyme and fry with the bacon for 5 mins until the onion is starting to soften. Lower the heat, add the potatoes to the onion and cover the pan. Steam-fry the potatoes for 25-35 mins until they soften, stirring occasionally to stop them sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• When the potatoes are ready, stir through the haddock, crème fraîche and a good grinding of black pepper, and mix until everything is combined. Flatten down with a fish slice and bake in the oven for 40 mins until golden. Serve with a green salad.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the butter in a shallow flameproof casserole dish and sizzle the bacon until it changes colour. Add the onion and thyme and fry with the bacon for 5 mins until the onion is starting to soften. Lower the heat, add the potatoes to the onion and cover the pan. Steam-fry the potatoes for 25-35 mins until they soften, stirring occasionally to stop them sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• When the potatoes are ready, stir through the haddock, crème fraîche and a good grinding of black pepper, and mix until everything is combined. Flatten down with a fish slice and bake in the oven for 40 mins until golden. Serve with a green salad.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Scrub Jerusalem artichokes, and slice 1/4 inch thick. Bring milk and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add slices, and cook until tender but crisp, 8 minutes. Drain, and arrange in a buttered baking dish.
• In a small saucepan, bring cream, garlic, nutmeg, salt and pepper to a boil. Remove garlic, and pour mixture evenly over artichokes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in upper level of oven until bubbling and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.