Pan-fried red mullet with sauce vierge and saffron and garlic mash

Method

1. First prepare the sauce vierge. Mix together the olive oil, shallots, tomatoes, shredded basil and garlic.

2. Set aside to stand for one hour before serving.

3. To make the saffron and garlic mash, boil the potatoes, garlic cloves and saffron together in a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes until potatoes are soft. Make sure the potatoes are only just covered with water otherwise the colour and flavour will dilute.

4. Drain and mash the potatoes and garlic.

5. Bring the cream to the boil in a little saucepan.

6. Pour the hot cream over the mashed potatoes and add in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.

7. Season the mullet with salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based frying pan.

8. Fry the red mullet fillets, skin side-down, for three minutes.

9. Flip and cook for a further minute.

10. To serve, spoon a mound of mash each onto the centre of four warm plates. Spoon the sauce Vierge around the mash.

11. Place the mullet over the potato, skin side up, and garnish with a wedge of lemon, basil leaves and drizzle a little olive oil around. Serve at once.