Sea trout with samphire, potted shrimp & lemon

Buttery new Jerseys, fresh salty samphire and delicate fish are like spring on a plate – add some shellfish and you’re in for a feast

Prep:10 mins
Cook:25 mins

Serves 2
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 559
fat 31g
saturates 15g
carbs 29g
sugars 4g
fibre 5g
protein 33g
salt 1.9g

Ingredients

350g Jersey Royal potatoes or small Charlotte potatoes - larger ones halved lengthways
2 sea trout or salmon fillets, skin on but scales removed
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tsp sunflower or vegetable oil
85g samphire, well washed
25g unsalted butter
1 tbsp finely chopped shallot
4 tbsp white wine (I used white Burgundy)
57g tub potted shrimps (see tip, below)
1 tarragon sprig, chopped
juice 1 lemon

Tip

Potted shrimps
If you can’t find potted shrimps in butter, buy a handful of cooked and peeled brown shrimps. Add them to the pan with an extra 25g/1oz butter, plus a pinch each of cayenne and either ground mace or nutmeg.

Method

Steam the potatoes for 15-20 mins, either using a steamer basket or a simple metal colander over a pan of boiling water, with a lid on top. Put 3 plates in a low oven to warm.
Slash the fish skin a few times, then season generously and sprinkle with the cayenne. Put a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat, adding the oil once the pan is hot. Cook the fish, skin-side down, for 6 mins, until the skin is golden and crisp. Avoid the urge to move it about.
Season the fish on the upper side, then carefully turn the fillets using a fish slice or spatula. Cook for 2 mins more until the fish has changed from dark to pale pink all over, with a little blush remaining in the thickest part. Transfer to a warm plate. Wipe out the pan with kitchen paper.
Scatter the samphire over the cooked potatoes, return the lid and steam for 2-3 mins until just tender.
Melt the butter in the frying pan and sizzle the shallot for 1 min. Splash in the wine, boil to reduce by half, then add the shrimps, tarragon and lemon juice to taste. Swirl the pan off the heat to melt the potted shrimp butter and make a buttery sauce, then season to taste. Spoon the veg onto warm plates, drizzle with a little sauce, then top with the fish, the rest of the sauce and the shrimps.