Fresh, lemony fish meets rich, creamy potatoes and fennel in this simple recipe. Baked with plenty of oil and lemon, removing the fish from the oven when your Thermapen is showing 60°C will ensure it stays beautifully soft and juicy.

Ingredients

• 4 hake fillets, skin on (approximately 150g each)
• Olive oil, for brushing the fillets
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 8 slices lemon

For the dressing

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon, plus 2 tbsp of juice
• 3 tbsp small capers
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
• Seasoning

For the gratin

• 500g potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 small brown onion, thinly sliced
• 2 small fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• 25g unsalted butter
• 300ml double cream
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Method for gratin

• Preheat the oven 180°C/ 160°C fan / gas 4.
• Grease a large baking dish with the butter.
• Bring 2 pans of water to the boil.
• Blanch the fennel and onion for 10 minutes and the potatoes for 5 minutes.
• Drain the vegetables, spread over the base of the baking dish and season.
• Add the thyme and nutmeg to the cream and pour over the potato mix.
• Cook uncovered for approximately 40 minutes until the top is crisp and golden. Ensure the filling is cooked by inserting your Thermapen into the centre, there should be no resistance and the temperature should reach 75°C or above. Cook for increments of 10 minutes until ready.
• Cover with tin foil and leave to one side.

To make the dressing

• Place the hake fillets skin side down onto the sliced lemons, 2 per fillet. Place in a roasting tin with a little oil and a crack of salt over the skin. cook until the internal temperature reaches 60°C with your Thermapen, this will take around 8 minutes. Remove from the oven once the temperature has been reached.
• Mix the oil with the lemon juice, capers, mustard and seasoning.
• Serve the fish with the gratin, drizzled with the dressing, some lemon zest and fresh parsley.

Laura Tulloch

Thermapen Chef & Caterer

@laura_sussexfoodie

"I love my Thermapen, it really helps me cook with confidence. As a caterer the health and safety of everyone you cook for is paramount, but that doesn't mean you have to compromise with your cooking. A simple reassuring check with the Thermapen throughout the process is all that's needed to allow you to enjoy, and confidently serve what you've made."