3069. PAN-FRIED WHITING with CRISPY BACON and BUTTER SAUCE

serves four


4 whiting fillets, about 175 grams each, skin on
12 slices of thinly sliced streaky bacon
2 tablespoons olive oil

Butter Sauce 
25 grams shallots, peeled and very finely chopped
4 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cream
125 grams unsalted butter, diced
salt and freshly-ground pepper
freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste

Grill the bacon until crispy, keep warm. Place the shallots, white wine and water in a heavy-based pan and bring to boil. Let it simmer until reduced to a quarter. Add the cream and boil for one minute. Reduce the heat and add in all the butter. Whisk vigorously until you have a lovely silky sauce - do not let the sauce boil or it will separate. Remove from the heat, season and keep warm. Season the whiting with salt and pepper. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and add 2 tablesp. of olive oil.  Add the fillets skin side down and cook for 3-4 minutes, the skin should be crisp. Turn and cook the other side for 1 minute.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bord Bia: Irish Food Board, Clanwilliam Court, Lower Mount St, Dublin, Ireland