
Ingredients
- 75 ml of white wine
- 1 pinch of tarragon
- 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
- 100 g of cod fillet
- 100 g of salmon fillet
- 400 g of smoked haddock
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp of thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 pinch of breadcrumbs
- 500 g of maris piper potatoes
- 3 leeks, washed and sliced finely into rings
- 300 ml of cream
- 3 handfuls of chives, chopped, plus 2 tbsp for the fishcakes
Method
Step 1
For the mashed potato, boil the potatoes in a large pan of water until soft. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until all the lumps are removed (do not use cream or milk). Set aside.Step 2
Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Remove the skin and bones from the fish (if not already removed) and place in a baking tray with the onion, white wine, bay leaves, garlic and thyme. Cover the baking tray with tin foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes - it is important that you do not overcook the fish, as once added to the potato it will break up and lose its texture.Step 3
Remove the tray from the oven (but leave the oven on) and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Discard any excess thyme and the bay leaves. Carefully transfer the fish, onion and garlic into a bowl. Flake the fish into large chunks.Step 4
Add the rest of the chopped herbs into the bowl along with the lemon zest. Place the mashed potato into the bowl and mix together. Season with cayenne pepper - being careful not to overdo it.Step 5
Shape the mix into 6 balls and then dip each ball in breadcrumbs until well coated.Step 6
Fry each ball in hot oil for 3 minutes until golden all over and then finish in the hot oven for a further 3 minutes. Once cooked, keep warm while you prepare the sauce.Step 7
Blanch the leek rings for 2 minutes in salted boiling water and then strain.Step 8
Place into a pan with the cream and bring to a simmer. Cook until the leeks are evenly coated and the sauce is thick. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the chopped chives.Step 9
Divide the sauce across 6 plates and lay a fish cake on top of each serving. Serve immediately.