HOT OIL FISH RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. It’s worth trying to get hold of saffron for this one – it’s available from most delis and good supermarkets. It’s not cheap, but bear in mind you won’t need much at all to spice up a dish. Make sure you use a wide pan so all the fish is in contact with the tomatoey broth. If you haven’t got one, try using a high-sided roasting tray instead, with another tray as a lid.
  2. To make the saffron aïoli, smash a clove of garlic, a tiny squeeze of lemon juice, and the saffron (if using) with a small pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar or a Flavour Shaker™ until it turns into a mush. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise and pound again. Stir in the rest of the mayo. Taste and season with a little more lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  3. Give the mussels and clams a good wash in plenty of clean cold water and scrub any dirty ones lightly with a scrubbing brush, pulling off any beardy bits. If there are any that aren’t tightly closed, give them a sharp tap. If they don’t close up, throw them away.
  4. Heat a large, wide saucepan or stewing pot and pour in a splash of olive oil. Slice up the rest of the garlic and fry it in the oil until lightly golden. Add the wine and the tomatoes and the basil stalks and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, until the liquid has reduced a little.
  5. Add all your fish and shellfish in a single layer and season with salt and pepper. Push the fish down into the liquid and put the lid on. Cook gently for about 10 minutes or until all the clams and mussels have opened and the fish fillets and langoustines or prawns are cooked through. (Discard any clams or mussels that don’t open.)
  6. Toast the bread on a hot griddle pan and get out the serving bowls. Put a piece of toast in each bowl and ladle the soup over the top, making sure the fish is divided more or less evenly. Top each bowl with some fennel tops, basil leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a big blob of saffron aïoli.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
  2. Peel the potatoes and cut into 2cm chunks, then cook in boiling salted water for 12 minutes, or until tender.
  3. Peel the carrot. Stand a box grater in a deep baking tray or dish, then coarsely grate the carrot, along with the celery and Cheddar.
  4. Switch to the fine side of the grater, and grate in the lemon zest and chilli. Pick and finely chop the parsley (stalks and all), and add to the tray or dish.
  5. Slice the salmon and smoked haddock into bite-size chunks and add to the tray with the prawns.
  6. Squeeze over the lemon juice (no pips please!), drizzle lightly with olive oil and add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper. If you want to add any spinach or tomatoes, roughly chop and add them now. Mix everything together really well.
  7. Drain the potatoes, and return them to the pan. Drizzle with a couple of good lugs of olive oil and add a pinch of salt and pepper, then mash until nice and smooth.
  8. Dot and spread the mash evenly over the top of the fish and grated veg.
  9. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes, or until cooked through, crispy and golden on top, then serve piping hot with tomato ketchup, baked beans, steamed veg or a lovely green salad.