35 mins
+ waiting
Monk Fish in Bacon with Parsley Cream
Recipe by Graham
Monk Fish in Bacon with Parsley Cream is an incredibly simple recipe that will serve 4 as a main course (with a few new potatoes) or you can divide it into 6 (without the potatoes) as a starter.
This recipe uses one complete monkfish (which your fishmonger will trim and fillet for you). A whole monkfish produces two long fillets (each about 12" (30cm) long. If the whole fish isn't available, take 4 monkfish tails instead (or 3 if you are preparing this as a starter for 6 people)
Monk Fish Delight 
Monkfish Medallions à l'Orange Ingredients for Monk Fish in Bacon with Parsley Cream
Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements
How to Cook Monk Fish in Bacon with Parsley Cream
- Rinse the fish in cold water and dab dry. Lay rashers of bacon (slightly overlapping) vertically on a worktop. Lay one of the monkfish fillets horizontally across and roll the bacon round the fish. Secure the bacon with wooden toothpicks if necessary. Repeat for the second fillet the wrap both in cling film and place in the fridge for between ½ hour and 1 hour.
- Flash fry the fish and bacon rolls in a hot frying pan, turning until the bacon is golden all over (about 7-8 minutes in total). Transfer the fillets onto a baking sheet and bake in a preheated moderate oven (Mk 4 - 350ºF - 180ºC) for about 12-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cream sauce... Place the crême fraîche in a small pan. Finely chop the parsley and add to the cream. Remove the zest from the lemon and add to the pan. Season with a little salt and pepper and warm the cream until it just bubbles.
- Remove the fish from the oven, take out the wooden skewers and cut the fish into required lengths (once you have made the first cut, you can check whether the fish is cooked or whether it needs to go back in the oven for a few minutes). Spoon some of the parsley cream over the top and serve hot.
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
Ideally, you want an even diameter to your rolls of monkfish. Sadly, the fish are not always too accommodating in this respect and the tail gets thinner nearer the end! Because you are rolling everything in bacon, you can fold the end of the tails back towards the middle in order to get an even roll - nobody will ever notice!
A white Alsatian wine works well with this recipe - either a Pinot Gris or an Edelzwicker. Both will respect the delicacy of the fish while complimenting the salty sweetness of the bacon.Reviews of Monk Fish in Bacon with Parsley Cream
 March 13 2015I've done this 3 times now and it tastes better every time if that's possibel. I usually serve with new potatoes and vegetables. As the sauce is quite rich I don't think it would work so well with oily fish such as salmon so I'm not going to change anything about the recipe it's fabulous just as it is daria (6 reviews) |
 April 12 2014Even though it's "only fish" this is a very filling, rich recipe, and even my wife who usually has to be coaxed to eat fish loved it. Highly recommended quirky (3 reviews) |
April 30 2013 Beyond delicious. This is quite possibly one of the best dishes I've made.omg...so good. The sauce was so delicious I considered putting it on ice cream ;o This is one of the few recipes my husband has actually said flat out, "You have to make this again!" elliebenyon (1 review) |
What To Eat Tonight
Having a gang of friends in , or the whole extended family? Need a recipe that's easy to 'extend' to accommodate a bigger group? No problem!
Burgers are so versatile. They can be made from almost any type of meat and they can be accompanied by a whole range of goodies.
If you know what kids like, they're easy to please, even using 'healthy' foods that they normally avoid. It's all in the preparation!
Other Fish & Seafood Recipes
Scallops with Garlic and Parsley are called "Coquilles St. Jacques à la Provençal" in France, which strikes me as much more romantic !
Nigiri-zushi consists of a small portion of Sushi Rice that is shaped in the hands. A thin piece of fish like tuna or shrimp is draped over the top.
Sole Véronique could just as easily be called Plaice Véronique - but it's more traditional and more decadent using sole!
