Neven’s Pan Fried Brill with Balsamic Lentils - Episode 1

Name: Neven’s Pan Fried Brill with Balsamic Lentils - Episode 1
Ingredients: 4 x 180g brill fillets, pin boned and skin removed, each cut in 2 pieces; 2 tbsp rapeseed oil; 30g butter; Sea salt; 2 tbsp fresh thyme; Parsley leaves, to garnish

This delicious recipe pairs tender pan-fried brill with rich balsamic lentils, creamy mushrooms, and sautéed spinach. The combination of textures and flavours makes it a perfect choice for an elegant yet hearty meal. Ideal for seafood lovers, this dish is finished with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation.

Ingredients

4 x 180g brill fillets, pin boned and skin removed, each cut in 2 pieces
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
30g butter
Sea salt
2 tbsp fresh thyme
Parsley leaves, to garnish

For The Creamed Mushrooms

400g mixed wild mushrooms (such as King Oyster, Shiitake, Beech, Girolle)
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
25g butter
2 gloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp Madeira wine
1 tsp thyme leaves, picked
100ml Cream
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For The Balsamic Lentils

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
150g smoked bacon lardons
1 large carrot, finely diced
½ celeriac peeled, finely diced
500g Beluga or Puy lentils, pre-cooked
3 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
1 tsp of caster sugar
200ml beef stock
2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

For the Sautéed Spinach

350g baby spinach
30g butter

Pan Fried Brill

4 x 180g brill fillets, pin boned and skin removed, each cut in 2 pieces
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
30g butter
Sea salt
2 tbsp fresh thyme
Parsley leaves, to garnish

Side

For The Creamed Mushrooms

400g mixed wild mushrooms (such as King Oyster, Shiitake, Beech, Girolle)
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
25g butter
2 gloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp Madeira wine
1 tsp thyme leaves, picked
100ml Cream
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For The Balsamic Lentils

2 tbsp rapeseed oil
150g smoked bacon lardons
1 large carrot, finely diced
½ celeriac peeled, finely diced
500g Beluga or Puy lentils, pre-cooked
3 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
1 tsp of caster sugar
200ml beef stock
2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

For the Sautéed Spinach

350g baby spinach
30g butter

For The Creamed Mushrooms

Dice all the mushrooms and set aside. Heat a pan over a medium heat and add the rapeseed oil and butter. Add in the diced mushrooms and crushed garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until just softened. Add in the madeira wine, thyme and stir through. Finish with cream and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes and set aside until needed

For The Balsamic Lentils

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over a medium heat, seal off the bacon lardons. Add in the diced carrots and celeriac, until softened but not coloured. Add in the balsamic vinegar and caster sugar. Stir in the lentils and then pour in the stock and allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes until the carrot and celeriac are cooked and completely tender. Season to taste.Stir the parsley into the braised lentils. Garnish with the parsley leaves to serve.

To Cook The Brill

Heat a non-stick frying pan with the rapeseed oil and butter. Season the fillets with sea salt. Carefully add the fillets to the hot pan and scatter over some fresh thyme. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Using a fish slice carefully turn over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until cooked through

For the Sautéed Spinach

In a large frying pan melt the butter and add in the spinach. Season with salt and pepper and toss to wilt the leaves for 2-3 minutes. Once wilted, place the spinach on kitchen paper to absorb any excess moisture

To Serve

Spoon the balsamic lentils onto the centre of the plate, followed by the cooked brill. Spoon over the creamed mushrooms and finally the wilted spinach to the back and finish with fresh parsley leaves.