We love a good Lemony Monkfish with Samphire Paella, and this deliciously simple, chef-curated recipe doesn't disappoint. Time to bust out the pots and pans!
The quantities provided above are averages only.
Boxes and ingredients are packed in facilities that handles Peanut, Nuts, Sesame, Fish, Crustaceans, Milk, Egg, Mustard, Celery, Soya, Gluten and Sulphites. Due to the war in Ukraine, it has been necessary to substitute sunflower oil with rapeseed oil in some products without a label change. The FSA have advised that allergic reactions to rapeseed oil are rare.
1
Bell Pepper
175
Arborio Rice
1
Saffron
2
Chicken Stock Powder
2
Serrano Ham
40
Samphire
1
Onion
1
Garlic Clove
1
Smoked Paprika
1
Flat Leaf Parsley
½
Lemon
200
Monkfish Medallions
(Contains Fish)
Preheat your oven to 200°C and put the kettle on to boil. Halve, peel and chop the onion into small pieces. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). Halve the pepper(s) and discard the core and seeds. Slice into thin strips. Put the pepper slices on a baking tray, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Roughly chop the parsley (stalks and all). Zest the lemon, then cut it into wedges.
Pour the boiling water (see ingredients for amount) into a measuring jug and add the chicken stock and saffron powder. Stir to dissolve. Heat a drizzle of oil in an ovenproof saucepan on medium heat (if you don't have one, transfer to an ovenproof dish later). When hot, add the onion, and cook until soft, 4-5 mins. Stir in the garlic and paprika and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the rice, stir to coat in the oil and spices. Add the stock and bring the mixture to the boil (then transfer to an ovenproof dish if necessary). Cover with a tight fitting lid (or foil), cook on the middle shelf of your oven for 20-25 mins. Tip: Check after 20 mins to see if the rice is cooked and the liquid absorbed. Scatter the samphire over the top of the rice for the final 10 mins of its cooking time. Meanwhile, roast the peppers on the top shelf of your oven until soft and charred, 12-15 mins, then remove and set aside.
Meanwhile, place the monkfish medallions in a mixing bowl and add half the lemon zest and a glug of oil. Season with salt. Rub the flavours all over the fish and set aside. Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over high heat and add the serrano ham slices. Cook until golden and crispy, 1-2 mins each side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
About 5 minutes before the rice is ready, return the frying pan you used for the serrano ham to medium-high heat (no oil). Once hot, carefully lay in the monkfish pieces and cook for 2-3 mins each side. IMPORTANT: The fish is cooked when opaque all the way through.
When the rice is ready, remove it from your oven and leave to cool for a couple of minutes. Stir the peppers into the rice with the remaining lemon zest, half the parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add a splash of water to loosen if needed, then taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Snap the crispy serrano ham into pieces. Share between your bowls, top with the monkfish and crispy serrano ham pieces and scatter over any remaining parsley. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges to squeeze over at the table. Enjoy!