Monkfish and Aubergine Escabeche
Escabeche is a method of cookery where most often a protein is cooked in a flavoured and vinegared oil solution. Aubergines are also very well suited to this application.
SERVES
2
PEOPLE
Ingredients
1 large aubergine
Fine sea salt
3 tbsp golden rapeseed oil
2 large garlic cloves, finely sliced
1 bay leaf
8 monkfish cheeks
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
50ml apple cider vinegar
8 cherry tomatoes
Juice of ½ lemon
2 sprigs of mint
Sea salt flakes
Method
Remove the top of the aubergine, cut in half lengthways and slice into bite-sized chunks.
Place in a colander set over a large bowl and season generously with fine sea salt.
Toss well to coat and leave to sit for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the aubergine from the colander shaking off the excess moisture and salt.
Place on kitchen towel and pat dry to remove excess moisture.
Place a large heavy-based frying pan on medium-low heat.
Warm 2 tbsp of oil and add the garlic and bay leaf.
Cook, stirring regularly until the garlic is golden brown and crisp. Approximately 5 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon remove the garlic and bay leaf from the pan. Discard the bay leaf and reserve the garlic.
Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the aubergine.
Cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Take the monkfish cheeks out of the refrigerator and pat dry with kitchen towel to removeexcess moisture. Season with fine sea salt.
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan.
Place the cheeks in the pan,laying them away from you. Cook on one side for 1 minute and then flip.
Add the smoked paprika and dried oregano, toss and cook for another minute.
Add the vinegar to the pan and bring to the boil, cook to reduce by half.
Reduce the heat in the pan to low and reintroduce the garlic and aubergine to the pan to warm through.
Slice the tomatoes, dress with the lemon juice and season with sea salt flakes.
Off the heat, add the tomatoes to the pan, scatter with picked mint leaves and serve immediately.
