Classic fish with smashed buttery jersey royals

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It’s summery, it’s fresh and full of fishy goodness…my fish with smashed buttery jersey royals. Just delicious.

What’s the deal with a Jersey Royal?

For many, a Jersey Royal signals the start of spring, which if you live in the UK, is much-longed for! Our winters drag and seeing a Jersey Royal is like seeing the first blossom, a moment of pure beauty and a sign that we can start whipping out the flip flops and Soleros.

But basically, in 1880 (or somewhere around that time) a farmer reportedbly dug up a giant spud, which was then cut up and replanted in the centre of Jersey. From one of these shoots, a funky looking kidney-shaped potato with super thin skin was born…soon to be known as the iconic Jersey Royal.

These babies have a uniquely sweet and nutty taste. I also believe seaweed is used as the fertiliser on the Channel island. The wispy skin means these spuds are best suited to either being steamed or boiled for a cheeky smashed potato salad. There’s no need to peel.

May is considered peak season so get to the shops and grab a bag. You need to experience these delicious little potatoes.

For more main meal inspo, check out more of my recipes here.

 

Ingredients

metric imperial
  • 2 cod fillets or fish or your liking
  • 2 cod fillets or fish or your liking
  • 1 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tbsp plain flour
  • 14oz jersey royals (or baby potatoes)
  • 400g jersey royals
  • 3.5oz plus extra (just in case) of salted butter
  • 100g plus extra (just in case) of salted butter
  • 2 cloves of garlic, smashed (optional)
  • 2 cloves of garlic, smashed (optional)
  • 6 sprigs of mint, 1/2 chopped
  • 6 sprigs of mint, 1/2 chopped
  • 3 sprigs of dill (optional), chopped
  • 3 sprigs of dill (optional), chopped
  • 3 sprigs of parsley, chopped
  • 3 sprigs of parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 pack of purple sprouting broccoli, trimmed
  • 1/2 pack of purple sprouting broccoli, trimmed
  • 1/2 pack of dwarf beans, trimmed
  • 1/2 pack of dwarf beans, trimmed
  • 1 tbsp drained capers (optional)
  • 1 tbsp drained capers (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • Salt and pepper, to season

Method

  1. Wash your potatoes and add to a pan with 1 lemon, garlic and 1/2 the mint, season heavily with salt and cover with cold water.
  2. Boil until cooked, so falling off the end of a knife.
  3. Drain once they are cooked and discard the lemon, garlic and mint.
  4. Crush the potatoes.
  5. Add 1/2 the butter to the potatoes, olive oil, the dill, mint and 1/2 the parsley.
  6. Season with salt & pepper, lemon juice, (& more butter) to your liking.
  7. Cook your vegetables in salted boiling water.
  8. For the fish, season the flour and dip your fish into it, pat of any excess flour.
  9. Get a large frying pan on a high heat and add 1/2 of the butter that’s left and once it’s bubbling add the fish in, service side down.
  10. Once the fish is browned, flip it over and cook on the other side until golden and cooked through finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and remove from the pan.
  11. The butter should be a golden brown colour now so whilst it’s still on the heat add the remaining butter, capers, parsley & a good squeeze of lemon.
  12. On your plate add spuds, veg and then sit the fish on top and spoon over that delicious brown butter & lemon sauce. Enjoy!