POTATO PARCEL COM RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potatoes on a baking tray, toss with 1 tbsp of the oil, season and roast for 25 mins.
• While the potatoes roast, heat another 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan and cook the onion over a medium heat for about 7-10 mins to soften. Stir in the garlic, chilli flakes and sage and cook for another minute or 2. Remove from the heat and add the chestnuts, cranberry sauce and the sweet potato cubes. Season a little.
• Line a 20cm square tin with a rectangle of baking parchment that comes up two sides of the tin (this is to help you remove it later). Put 1 sheet of filo in the tin, brushing the bottom and sides with a little of the remaining oil, then add another piece of filo going in the other direction (like a cross). Brush with more oil on the bottom and sides, and repeat with another 2 sheets of filo.
• Spoon the sweet potato mixture into the tin and fold over the filo to cover, brushing with a little more of the oil. Brush the last piece of filo with the remaining oil, then scrunch on top of the parcel. Put in the oven and bake for 30 mins.
• To serve, use the baking parchment to lift the parcel out of the tin and cut into four.

Steps:

• The salmon fillets need to be skinless and boneless, so if you can’t get your fishmonger to do it, you’ll need to do it yourself: to remove the pin bones, stroke your hand along the flesh side of the fillets and use tweezers or pliers to pull out any bones you come across. Then, to remove the skin, you’ll need a very sharp knife, preferably a filleting knife. Take each fillet in turn and place skin -side down on the board with the narrowest end facing you. Slide your knife in between the skin and the flesh from the tail end, and wiggle your knife to loosen and pull away the skin. Firmly take hold of the tail skin you have loosened and, working away from yourself, cut along the length of the fish, while moving the knife side to side. Keep the blade of your knife as flat and close to the skin as possible so as not to leave any flesh on the skin. Repeat with the second fillet.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Take a very large sheet of extra-wide foil (turkey foil works well), and lightly brush with olive oil. Place one salmon fillet on the foil and scatter over the sliced lemons, dill and half the fennel, and season generously. Place the second salmon fillet on top, domed side up. Season and drizzle with the wine.
• Top with a second sheet of greased foil and fold up the edges to enclose the salmon in a parcel. Make the parcel quite loose so there is room for the steam. Lift onto a large baking tray and cook for 1 hr then remove and allow to rest in the foil for 10 mins.
• While the salmon cooks, make the mayonnaise. Place the yolks and the mustard in a medium bowl, adding a pinch of salt, if you like. Pour the oil into a jug as you will need a controlled steady stream. Briefly whisk the eggs and start to drizzle on the oil very slowly, starting with a few drips at a time while continuously whisking.
• Continue adding the oil. When the mayonnaise starts to come together, you can add the oil slightly quicker. Continue until all the oil has been added. If the mayonnaise curdles at any point, you can rescue it by cracking another yolk into a clean bowl and whisking the curdled mayonnaise into the fresh egg. Continue doing this then add any remaining oil.
• When your mayonnaise is made, slowly stir in the vinegar and enough of the lemon juice to your taste – add more if you like it quite lemony. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the chopped herbs. Keep chilled until the salmon is ready.
• Mix the cucumber with some of the dill and the rest of the fennel. When the salmon has rested, cut the foil open and use two fish slices to carefully transfer the fish to a long serving platter. Sprinkle with the dill and garnish with lemon cheeks. Serve with the herby mayonnaise and cucumber salad.