|
A meurette of plaice and lemon sole with Beaujolais
Serves 4
Preparation time
30 mins to 1 hour
Cooking time
1 to 2 hours
Ingredients
For the Croutons:2 slices white bread25ml/1fl oz groundnut oila knob of butterFor the Fish:350g/12oz plaice fillets, skin on350g/12oz lemon sole fillets, skin on25g/1oz unsalted butter mixed with 15g/½oz flour (beurre manie)salt and freshly ground black pepperFor the Stock:25g/1oz butter225g/8oz equal quantities carrot, celery, leek and onion chopped and mixed together1 tbsp brandy1.2l/2pt chicken stock½ bottle Beaujolais1 fresh or dried bay leaf1 sprig thyme or ½ tsp dried thymeFor the Persillade:1 small clove garlic1 small bunch parsley24 shallots, peeled¼tsp sugar15g/½oz butterFor the Meurette:24 shallots½ tsp sugar15g/½oz butterFor the Mushroom and Bacon Garnish:1 rasher smoked bacon, rind removed15g/½oz butter225g/8oz button mushrooms, cut into quarters
Method
1. First, make the croutons. Using a 2.5cm/1in round cutter, cut out 8 discs from the slices of bread and fry them in the groundnut oil, adding a little knob of butter to the pan to give them a golden colour.2. To make the stock, melt the butter in a pan and add the chopped mixed vegetables (known as mirepoix) and fry them until they are just beginning to brown. Add the brandy and boil off the alcohol before adding 900ml/1½pt of the chicken stock, the Beaujolais, bay leaf and thyme. Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.3. Meanwhile brown the shallots with the sugar and butter in a shallow pan. Add the remaining chicken stock and simmer the shallots gently until they are tender then turn up the heat and reduce the shallots and stock until you have a shiny brown glaze. Set aside and keep warm.4. To make the garnish, cut the bacon into thin strips and fry gently in the butter, add the mushrooms and continue to fry until soft. Season with salt and black pepper then set aside and keep warm.5. Finely chop the garlic and parsley together, to make the persillade.6. Strain the red wine stock into a shallow pan, bring to the boil and boil rapidly to reduce the volume by half. Add the fish fillets and cook gently until it is just tender. (This should take about 5 minutes.)7. Remove the fillets from the pan and place neatly on a warmed serving dish. Break the beurre manie into small pieces and stir into the red wine sauce. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens. Add the meurette, the mushroom and bacon garnish and the persillade. Check the seasoning and add a little salt, if necessary. Spoon the sauce over the fish, top with the croutons and serve. Serve plainly boiled new potatoes and French beans.
Previous: A hot, sour bean shoot salad, A curry of aubergines, tomatoes and lemongrass, A classic sponge cake (with passion fruit filling), A broth of Scottish shellfish, 5-Minute Trifle,
Next: A plate of Scottish pork, A return to the Black Forest, A souffle omelette with three cheeses and chives, A warm salad of asparagus, field mushrooms and fresh peas, ABC Slaw,
|