Panfried Sea Bass with Sicilian Inspired Salsa, Crispy Potatoes and Asparagus
Inspired by a holiday to Sicily. Some simple panfried seabass with lovely crispy skin and flaky flesh with a pine nut, raisin, celery salsa which has sweet and sour notes thanks to plenty of lemon, a touch of saffron and a splash of sherry vinegar. Crispy smashed potatoes and panfried asparagus are the perfect accompaniments. Simple, delicious.
Healthy Fish Pie with Crushed Chive and Cheddar Potato Topping
Fish pie is a classic for a reason, but my version is a little bit lighter than most thanks to a crispy crushed potato topping instead of your typical mash. I personally prefer the crushed potato version as it gives you some texture whereas more classic versions can all be quite soft when mash is used for the topping. You can use whatever fish mix you like, but for me smoked haddock is a must in there to give you a slight smoky flavour, while chunks of haddock, cod or salmon would also work well. Prawns just make it feel that little be more luxurious. I made the creamy sauce using the poaching liquid from the fish, and with plenty of nutmeg, mustard, bay and black pepper you’ve got a base with plenty of flavour. Chives and cheddar cheese add colour and flavour to the topping, while a good few handfuls of spinach amp up the veggie goodness.
Mediterranean Cod Traybake
A healthy traybake which may save on the washing up but delivers maximum flavour. Plump juicy tomatoes, salty olives, and fragrant citrus basil pesto all work beautifully with the fish. Washing up is also minimal which is a bonus.
Steamed, Miso & Honey Salmon
This is one of my favourite ways to cook salmon and it just so happens to be one of the easiest. The marinade couldn’t be simpler, just some miso, honey, soy, sesame, ginger and rice vinegar or lime juice. Steaming the fillets ensures they stay lovely and moist and really locks the flavour in. It also takes just a matter of minutes. Served with some brown or white rice, stir fried veg of your choice, and a selection of garnishes, this is one the quickest midweek meals.
Crispy Paprika Salmon with Sundried Tomato Yoghurt and Bulgur Wheat Salad
This crispy panko salmon is the perfect weeknight dinner, is super quick to throw together and is a great way to use up some stale sourdough you might have hanging around in the cupboard (or you can just use panko instead). The breadcrumbs are mixed with some spices, lemon zest and parsley to give a lovely crispy topping to the salmon which has a thin layer of dijon mustard across the top. Paired with a punchy sundried tomato yoghurt and fresh bulgur salad packed with plenty of fresh mint, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, this is a healthy dinner which will satisfy all tastebuds.
Pancetta Crumb Halibut with Horseradish, Roasted Celeriac and Mint Pea Pureé
Baking fish with a breadcrumb topping is one of my favourite ways to eat it. It’s great for a dinner party - not only does it avoid any fishy frying smells in the kitchen (not ideal when you have people over) you can also prepare it in advance and just whack it in whenever you’re ready to eat. There is much less danger of drying out the flesh than when you fry it over a high heat so the flesh stays lovely and moist while the breadcrumb topping gives texture and crunch.
Spiced Halibut with Red Lentil Spinach Dahl, Mint Coriander Chutney & Crispy Chickpeas
This is one of my favourite recipes I have come up with in a while. The dahl is so moreish, you won’t be able to keep your spoon out of it and the key to getting a real depth of flavour is frying your onions for as long as you can (this is a game changer I promise). The subtle layering of spicing is so tasty and with some cooling yoghurt, zingy green chutney for freshness and the slight sweetness of mango chutney, every mouthful is a flavour sensation. Some crispy spiced chickpeas help add texture and with a lovely piece of marinaded fish on top, this is a recipe I hope you will come back to time and time again.
Satay Glazed Halibut with Ginger Pak Choi Soba Noodles
I love halibut. I have been wanting to try a recipe for my favourite fish which uses Asian flavours for a while now and after coming up with this recipe, I think it could become one of my favourite ways to cook the fish. I got the most beautiful pieces of chunky fish from David Lowrie Fish in St. Monans. I priced this recipe out using frozen cod fillets, but if you can, visit your local fishmonger for any firm, chunky white fish you can get. Fresh, flavoursome, fast food which feels super special - my favourite kind of meal.
Panfried Sea Bass with Roasted Veg and Salsa Verde
This recipe is no game changer but it is a fab one to have in your repertoire. Tasty, healthy and an easy way to momentarily transport yourself to the Mediterranean, this is a great dish to make when you need to grab stuff on your way home and cannot face slaving away at the stove once you get there. I love the delicate flavour of sea bass and its crispy skin and when paired with a zingy salsa verde it is delicious. You could of course have this with any other type of fish - salmon or cod would work really well.
Simple Salmon Supper
Sometimes you just need a simple dinner with minimal ingredients to get you through the midweek slump. This is the perfect dinner for when you’re short on time and energy. A lot of the ingredients you’ll have in the fridge already or can pick up easily on your way home. There are a few twists in the recipe to make it feel a bit more special than your typical salmon dinner (charring your lemon is such a simple step which really transforms the flavour and makes the dish feel that little bit fancy).
Panfried Halibut with Romesco Sauce, Charred Broccoli with Olives and Almonds and Crispy Chorizo Capers
This is an easy meal which is packed with flavour and texture but still feels really special. The dish would work well with any meaty fish such as salmon or cod, but it would also be lovely with a chicken breast or cauliflower steak. The romesco sauce is so versatile (I use it for so many dishes) and the crispy chorizo capers make the dish.
Panfried Sea Bass with Thai Green Curry Sauce, Peanut Radish Citrus Slaw and Jasmine Rice
There is nothing like a fresh and aromatic homemade Thai green curry. Served with some crispy panfried seabass and a zingy, crunchy, peanutty slaw, this feels slightly more special than your standard midweek thai green curry out of a jar. Although I love a thai green curry with prawns, chicken or veg, the lovely fresh, clean taste of the sea bass goes so well with the rich, coconutty sauce.
Seared Sesame Tuna with Pea, Avocado and Wasabi Mash, Pickled Ginger and Crispy Shallots
With this recipe I tried to recreate all my favourite flavours of a tuna and avocado sushi roll but in a slightly more refined, elegant dish. This made a lovely light main course but it would also make a great starter for a dinner party in smaller portions. The marinade for the steaks is sooooo tasty - salty, sweet, spicy, sour and sharp all at the same time with lots of deep umami flavours. The pea, avocado and wasabi mash works so well with the tuna, giving a background heat to the whole dish. With some crispy shallots, crushed wasabi peas and some pickled ginger on top for texture and flavour, this is a fresh and zingy recipe which will wake up your tastebuds.
Panfried Halibut with Pancetta Crumb, Cauliflower Puree, Wilted Spinach and Crispy Caper Vinaigrette
The key to this recipe is the caramelised cauliflower purée which pulls everything together. The saltiness from the pancetta crumb also works really well with the purée, as does the citrus hit and texture from the crispy caper vinaigrette. The star of the show however is undoubtedly the fish. Simply panfried in a little oil and some seasoning before being finished with some butter and lemon juice in the pan. I would always try and buy from my local fishmonger if I can, but I know this isn’t accessible for everyone, as long as what you’re buying is sustainable and works with your budget then it’s totally up to you.
Panfried Halibut with Warm Tartare Sauce, Crushed Potatoes with Spring Onions and Chives, and Wilted Spinach
Halibut will always be my favourite white fish. It’s so meaty and tasty and can be paired with so many things. With fish as beautiful as this, all it needs is to be panfried in some rapeseed oil and basted with lots of butter, seasoning and lemon. Served with a warm tartare sauce and some crushed new potatoes, this is one of those simple dinners which feels very special. I could eat this every night.
Panfried Seabass with Sauce Vierge, Roasted Fennel and Asparagus, and Crushed Garlic Thyme Potatoes
This seabass dish with my twist on a classic sauce vierge recipe and my version of roasted crushed potatoes will transport you to the sunshine with every mouthful. Just make sure to enjoy with a chilled glass of wine. Fresh, vibrant and full of flavour.
Seafood Risotto
This seafood risotto recipe is holiday on a plate. The key to making this luxurious and special risotto is making your own shellfish stock using the shells from the seafood.
Panfried Caribbean Spiced Halibut with Mango Salsa, Chickpea Mash and Smoky Broccoli
This dish was inspired by a holiday to the Caribbean. I have attempted to recreate the Caribbean spice rub here and paired it with a zingy mango salsa and creamy chickpea mash which pulls everything together and works so well with the beautiful fish.