Creamy baked fish on potato gratin
Ingredients
Fish
- 4 x 160g/5oz white fish fillets, ~2cm / 0.8" thick, skinless (barramundi, snapper, tilapia, cod, salmon – Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Potato gratin
- 3 tbsp / 50g unsalted butter
- 2 large leeks, white and pale green part only, washed, cut in half lengthways, sliced 5mm / 0.2" thick OR 2 onions (Note 2)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium starchy potatoes (250g / 8oz each), peeled (Note 3)
- 3/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, any type, sub more veg stock (Note 4)
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock/broth, low sodium
- 1 cup thickened/heavy cream
Crunchy topping
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan, finely shredded
Instructions
- 1
Preparation - Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan) with a shelf in the middle.
- 2
Preparation - Cut the potatoes into quarters, then sliced 4mm / 1/6" thick. Place cut potato in a large bowl of water (prevents from going brown, removes excess starch so it cooks quicker). Drain before use.
- 3
Crunchy topping - Mix panko and olive oil in a bowl. Then stir in parmesan.
- 4
Season fish - Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the fish fillets. Set aside.
- 5
Sauté - Melt butter in a large oven-proof skillet (30cm/12") over high heat until foamy. Add leek and garlic, then cook for 3 minutes.
- 6
Sauté potatoes - Add potato, salt and pepper. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring regularly. The potatoes should be half cooked at this stage.
- 7
Reduce wine and stock - Pour in white wine. Simmer rapidly until it is mostly evaporated – about 1 minute. Pour in stock, then simmer for 1 1/2 minutes or until reduced by half.
- 8
Top with fish - Turn the stove off. Place fish on top of the potatoes, presentation side up. (Note 1) Pour cream all over, aiming for full coverage. Sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs.
- 9
Bake - Bake for 30 minutes – I know this sounds like a long time but the fish stays succulent!
- 10
Colour topping - Switch to the oven grill (broiler) on high and move the skillet up to the top shelf. Grill/broil 4 minutes or until golden.
- 11
Rest - Remove and rest for 5 minutes, then serve! Eat the fish and gratin together with each mouthful for maximum eating pleasure!!
