3675. BRAISED TURBON in BEER with BACON, SHALLOTS and PEAS

serves four

8 rashers streaky smoked bacon 

1 tablespoons light rapeseed oil 

3½ oz unsalted butter 

20 small shallots, peeled and left whole

12 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole

1 sprig rosemary 

3½ fl oz red wine vinegar 

26 fl oz beer 

18 fl oz fish stock 

3 lb 5 oz turbot, fins trimmed, split down the centre and cut into steaks with the bone in

7 oz peas fresh or frozen

3 tablespoons chopped fresh flatleaf parsley, plus extra for garnish 

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the grill and cook the bacon until crisp. Set aside to cool and then chop into small pieces.

To make the braising liquid, heat a large pan and add the oil and 2½ oz of the butter.

When the oil is hot, add the shallots and the garlic. Cook for four minutes and then add the rosemary and cook for a further two minutes so the garlic and shallots begin to colour.

Add the vinegar and cook until reduced in volume to almost nothing.

Add the beer and reduce in volume again to half the amount.

Add the fish stock and bring to the boil. Skim off any impurities that rise to the top and simmer for five minutes.

To cook the fish, place the portions into the beer liquor and cover with foil, with the foil touching the surface of the liquid. Cook on a low heat for 12 minutes. Remove the foil and carefully turn the fish and add the peas and parsley. Cook for one minute and remove from the heat.

Warm a large serving platter, then carefully remove the fish from the beer and place it onto the platter.

Heat the braising liquor and whisk in the remaining 1 oz butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon some of the liquor over the fish and sprinkle over the crisp bacon and a little more parsley.

bacon recipe source: Nathan Outlaw, Spring Kitchen with Tom Kerridge, BBC Food