Hello Dear Reader,
Our local fish monger doesn't open on a Saturday so I don't often get the chance to shop there. It's owned by Pengellys who fish out of Looe harbour and also have a shop on the quay. If you buy local, season and sustainable fish then it's a good buy. I bought five huge pollack fillets for £5 and three gurnards for £5. I know that sounds a lot but when you think that being a trawlerman or woman is such a dangerous job not to mention that boats can often go out and come back and get a really poor price. I'm also happy to support local business.
To make your own batter you will need:
100g plain flour
1 heaped teaspoon of baking powder
150ml sparkling water
Blend the ingredients together until smooth and transfer to a shallow dish. Hold the fish by the tail end and dust with flour, then sweep across the batter until it's well coated.
Drop into a shallow pan of smoking hot sunflower oil and cook for five minutes on each side.
The homemade chips, slice the chips and toss in olive oil, place on a baking tray and bake for thirty minutes. Shake the tray occasionally and turn with a spatula.
The mushy peas, or minted pea purée. Cook frozen peas, add a teaspoon of butter and a teaspoon of mint sauce. Blitz with a hand stick blender.
I had Gurnard. It's a pretty red fish with wings and looks like something out of a Finding Nemo but don't be put off. It's not a rare fish and certainly sustainable. It has a delicate flavour but the texture is reminiscent of sea bass. I cooked this with leeks, peppers and mushrooms that I tossed in one tablespoon of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. I just pan fried the gurnard in the tiniest knob of butter. A fishy tip, cook it mainly on the skin side for three to five minutes and flip to the flesh side, just until it takes on some colour.
Sprinkle all of it with lemon juice and ground black pepper and enjoy.
It was great to get into our local fish mongers and the fresh fish was totally stunning. If you ever get to Liskeard or Looe, check out Pengellys fish as its local, sustainable and they catch it themselves.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx