Marinated red mullet with okra and pea fritters and fried plantain
The strong flavour of mullet is balanced by a punchy, citrus marinade. Served with crispy okra fritters and plantain, this is a perfect meal for the summer.
Ingredients
For the fritters
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú okra, sliced
- 10²µ/â…“o³ú red onion, finely chopped
- 25g/1oz frozen peas, chopped
- 1 tbsp roughly chopped flatleaf parsley
- pinch finely chopped garlic
- pinch ground cumin
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú plain flour, sieved
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 free-range egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 2 tbsp crème fraiche
- vegetable oil, for shallow frying
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the marinated red mullet
- 100ml/3½fl oz vegetable oil, plus extra for shallow frying
- 100ml/3½fl oz olive oil
- 3 lemons, juice only
- 1 orange, juice only
- pinch sugar
- ¼ tsp coriander seeds, crushed
- 30g/1oz carrots, thinly sliced
- 4 small red mullet fillets, scaled and pin-boned
- pinch saffron strands
For the plantain
- 1 green or yellow plantain, peeled and sliced
- vegetable oil, for deep-frying
To serve
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú micro coriander
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú micro red basil
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú baby watercress
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú nasturtium leaves
- 40²µ/1½´Ç³ú nasturtium flowers
- 20²µ/¾´Ç³ú okra, thinly sliced
- ¼ red chilli (optional)
- ¼ green chilli (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 165g/6oz Greek-style plain yoghurt
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Method
Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
To make the fritters, mix together the okra, red onion, peas, parsley, garlic and cumin. Add the flour and baking powder and mix well. Add the egg, milk and crème fraiche and season. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry tablespoons of the batter (you may need to do this in batches). Once golden-brown on both sides, remove from the pan and drain on a kitchen paper. Finish in the oven for 3–4 minutes.
To make the red mullet, mix together the two oils, lemon juice, orange juice, sugar, coriander seeds and a little seasoning. Add the carrots and stir well. Place in a small saucepan over a medium heat and warm through to infuse. Set aside to cool.
Cut the mullet fillets in half and rub with a little saffron and salt. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry the fillets skin-side down for 5 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and golden-brown. Turn over and cook for a few seconds. (The fish should be slightly undercooked). Drain the fillets on kitchen paper and place flesh-side down into the cooled marinating liquid for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, fill a deep-fat fryer or a large, deep, heavy-bottomed pan two-thirds full with the oil. Heat to 180C (a cube of bread should turn brown in 1 minute when dropped in.) CAUTION: Hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended. Deep-fry the plantain for 2 minutes, or until golden-brown on the outside and soft on the inside. Drain on kitchen paper and season with a little salt.
To serve, mix with the herbs, flowers, okra and chillies, if using, together. Leave to sit for 1 minute. Place the fritters on a serving plate. Drizzle with the olive oil and all but 1 tablespoon of the yoghurt. Put the marinated fish alongside with the fried plantain, remaining yoghurt and lemon wedges.