Monkfish with ham is a dinner party classic. This version bursts with the flavours of a bountiful spring. One to be savoured.
For the parsley butter, heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the shallot, mushrooms and garlic until they are softened. Set aside to cool.
Mix the shallot and mushroom mixture in a bowl with the butter and chopped parsley. Set aside.
For the monkfish, preheat the oven to 230C/450F/Gas 6 and clean the morels thoroughly. Heat a dash of olive oil in a saucepan and fry the shallots and morels for 2-4 minutes. Add the white wine and chicken or fish stock and cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until the volume of liquid has significantly reduced.
Add the broad beans and then the peas and stir through a little of the parsley butter.
Place the asparagus in a pan with a little olive oil, salt and a splash of stock and put a lid on. Cook for 2-4 minutes – it will steam in its own juices.
Heat a dash of olive oil in an ovenproof pan and cook the monkfish until nicely browned all over. Transfer to the oven to cook for four minutes. Once out of the oven place a slice of ham on top of each portion of fish so that it starts to melt while resting. Leave to rest for at least four minutes.
To serve, spoon the buttery peas and broad beans onto each plate, then the asparagus and morels. Place the monkfish on top. Save the juices from the morels and the asparagus pan. Add another splash of olive oil and lemon juice to the pan juices and use this as a sauce. Serve any remaining parsley butter on the side.
