Poached plaice with cider and onions

Method

1. Cook the potatoes in plenty of boiling water until tender.

2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy bottomed pan and add the olive oil. Cook the onions slowly for 10-15 minutes so they gently brown and melt but do not fry.

3. Add the garlic, cider, bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a simmer then lower in the plaice fillets. Poach gently, flesh side down for 5-6 minutes.

4. Lift the fillets out onto a serving plate. Add the parsley to the pan, turn the heat up and reduce the liquid by a third. Season.

5. For the mash: add the butter, cream and seasoning to the potatoes and mash well.

6. Put a pile of mash on the plates with the fish next to it. Spoon the onions and their juices over the fish and serve.