Monkfish and mushrooms in pastry parcels

In this dish, monkfish and flavourings are cooked in pastry parcels.  It is quite delicious and can be served as a starter (with small portions), as a main course or as a lunch or supper dish.

Preparation Time: 15 Mins

Cooking Time: 35 Mins

Total Time: 1¼ Hrs

Ingredients

For 4 servings…

30 gms            Butter       

 gms               Onion  - small, chopped finely  

230 gms           Mushrooms  - chopped finely   

1 tsp               Thyme  - chopped    

1 tsp               Parsley  - chopped    

1 tsp               Marjoram  - chopped

½                   Lemon  - grated rind of          

                     Pepper  - freshly ground, black 

                     Salt          

1 squeeze         Lemon juice            

450 gms           Pastry  - puff          

340 gms           Monkfish  - cut into 4 pieces     

To glaze the pastry

1                    Egg  - beaten           

Method

Melt the butter in a saucepan and soften the onion in it.  Add the mushrooms and cook until most of the moisture has disappeared.  Add the herbs and lemon rind and season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.  Leave to cool.

Divide the pastry into 4 pieces and roll out to make 4 squares.  Place a piece of monkfish on each square of pastry and top with some of the mushroom mixture.  Fold over the pastry to make parcels.  Place the parcels on a greased baking tray and glaze with beaten egg.

Bake in an oven at 200°C for 25 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.

Serve With

          Hollandaise sauce

Variations

Flaky pastry can be used in place of the puff pastry.  The fish can also be wrapped in filo pastry.

Wine recommendations

          A white wine.

  Conventional

           Chablis

  Interesting

           Graves blanc

           Riesling

           Vouvray