Pan-fried Hake with Leeks, Broad Beans & Pancetta

Ingredients

2 fillets of hake, skin on
2 large leeks, washed, trimmed and sliced
2 handfuls of broad beans (I use the frozen ones from M & S)
50g butter

1 tbsp cooking oil
100g pancetta, cubed
1 tbsp lemon juice


Method

1. Place frozen broad beans in a saucepan with water and boil for 4 minutes
2. Place cooking oil in a large frying pan and sauté pancetta until crispy
3. Add leeks and cook for about 5 minutes until softened
4. Add broad beans and heat thoroughly
5. In another large pan, melt the butter
6. Place the hake fillets skin side down in the hot butter and fry for about 4 minutes
7. Turn the fish and cook for another 4 minutes
8. Serve the hake on a pile of the vegetable and pancetta mix
9. Place the lemon juice and another knob of butter into the hot pain and stir
10. Drizzle over the hake and vegetables

Pepper sauce

This recipe makes the most delicious pepper sauce I have ever tasted. Serve with steak or whatever you fancy!

Ingredients

100ml beef stock
60ml double cream
3 tbsp peppercorns
100ml brandy
50g butter

Method

1. Melt butter in pan and sauté peppercorns for about 3 minutes
2. Add brandy and flambé (set alight!) to remove the alcohol, keep stirring to keep flames under control
3. Add beef stock and cream and keep stirring until thickened. This will take a few minutes so don't give up!

Low Carb Egg & Ham Muffins

It's January so time to get sensible with our eating again! I made these for Ronan to take to work for his breakfasts this week. I even used left over Christmas ham!

Ingredients

6 eggs

1 tbsp milk

1 tbsp cooking oil

50g cheese (I used leftovers: a mix of Parmesan, Gruyère and Cheddar), grated

40g ham, finely chopped

1 onion, finely sliced

salt & pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C 
2. Sauté onion in a pan for 5 minutes
3. Whisk eggs, milk and cheese
4. Add ham and onions and stir well
5. Lightly oil a six hole muffin tray
6. Divide equally between the six holes in the tray
7. Place in the oven and cook for 20-30 minutes until lightly golden

These muffins will freeze well. Once defrosted, simply microwave for 20 seconds.