If you can get your hands on it, fennel pollen is an incredibly intense version of the flavour of fennel seed and a wonderful seasoning for fish. Here brill is wrapped in strands of potato and baked, served with heritage tomatoes and parsley sauce.
Equipment and preparation: you will need a fruit and vegetable spiraliser for this recipe.
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
For the fish, peel and top and tale the potato and put on a fruit and vegetable spiraliser set with a fine strand blade. Use according to manufacturer’s instructions, twisting the handle to create fine potato strands.
Season the fish fillets with fennel pollen and salt and pepper. Wrap the potato strands neatly around the fish portions.
Heat a non-stick pan to a medium heat, add a splash of oil and a knob of butter and fry the fish on both sides for around two minutes, or until golden-brown. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Transfer the fish to the lined baking tray and cook in the preheated oven for a further six minutes.
For the sauce, heat a dash of oil in a saucepan and fry the shallot and garlic until softened. Add the stock and cook until the volume has reduced by half, add the cream and cook until reduced by half again.
Pour the sauce base into a blender or food processor and blend with parsley leaves on full power to achieve a vibrant green sauce.
For the tomatoes place the tomatoes on a baking tray, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little extra virgin oil. Pop in the oven to warm through for a minute.
Remove the fish from the oven and squeeze over a little lemon juice. Arrange the tomato slices on each of two serving plates, place the fish on top and drizzle around the sauce.
