Smoked Mackerel Kedgeree With Soft Boiled Eggs Recipes

EASY MACKEREL KEDGEREE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan - I used a Le Creuset casserole. Add the onion and stir well. Now put a lid on the pan and turn the heat right down, allowing the onions to gently cook for about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the curry paste and cook gently for 1 minute.
• Get a small jug of tap water to hand - you will need this in a minute.
• Tip the cooked brown rice into the pan and stir well. At this stage you are heating the rice through and you don't want it to stick so use the water to add a splash every now and then.
• Gently stir through the peas followed by the spinach, allowing the spinach to wilt in the heat.
• Now break up the mackerel fillets into large-ish pieces.
• When the rice mixture is fully heated through, turn off the heat and gently toss the mackerel through the rice. At this stage, give it a good squeeze of lemon juice and check for seasoning. Now lay the eggs on top of the rice mixture and return the lid to the pan. Leave for 5 minutes or so while you gather the diners to the table .....

SMOKED MACKEREL KEDGEREE WITH SOFT-BOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Pour 500ml boiling water over the fish fillets and set aside. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the coriander seeds, curry leaves and mustard seeds, and cook until the seeds start to crackle, about 1 min or so. Add the onion, carrot, leek, coriander stalks, bay leaf and a pinch of salt, turn down the heat and cook for 8-10 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 2 mins more.
• Add the rice and stir-fry for a few mins, making sure that it doesn't stick. Drain the mackerel water into the pan, then stir in the spices and increase the heat. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down low, cover and cook for 15-20 mins. Remove from the heat and leave the rice to steam- cook with the lid on for 15 mins. (If the rice is still not cooked through, add some water and return to the heat for a few mins.)
• Peel and discard the mackerel skin. Flake up the flesh and stir it into the rice along with the cooked peas and butter - the mackerel should be warmed through by the residual heat - but if not, return to the heat for a couple of mins, stirring so it doesn't stick. Mix in the lime juice, then chop up two of the eggs and stir through.
• Serve topped with the remaining eggs cut into quarters, the coriander leaves and some pepper.

VALENTINE WARNER'S SPECIAL KEDGEREE

Steps:

• Put the milk, 150ml water and 1 bay leaf into a large saucepan with a lid over a low heat and bring it to a gentle simmer.
• Put the haddock in the saucepan, skin-side down. Once it returns to a simmer, poach it gently with the lid on for 3-4 minutes, ensuring the fish doesn't lose its translucence completely. Turn off the heat and lift the fish out very gently. The fillets should easily separate into large chunks. Flake the chunks into bite-size pieces with a fork onto a plate. Discard any bones and skin, then set aside.
• Pour the poaching liquid into a jug to cool, adding extra water to make it up to 250ml, if necessary.
• Melt the butter in a medium pan with a lid over a medium heat, then add the onion with the remaining bay leaf and the cardamom seeds. Fry for 10 minutes or so, stirring regularly, until the onion is very soft and a deep golden colour. Sprinkle in the turmeric and curry powder and cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove to a plate.
• Tip the rice into the pan, pour in the 250ml poaching liquid and add the saffron, if using. Put a lid on the pan and bring it up to a brisk simmer, then turn down the heat so it's barely simmering with the lid on. Cook the rice for 11 minutes without removing the lid. Turn off the heat, lift off the lid and put a once-folded napkin or tea towel over the pan before returning the lid as snugly as possible for 8 minutes.
• While the rice is cooking, cook the eggs in a medium saucepan of water at a gently rolling boil for 6-7 minutes (for a soft set). Drain, then briefly rinse under cold running water before peeling.
• Remove the lid and napkin/tea towel from the rice pan, then fluff up the rice gently with a fork. Put the pan over a low-medium heat. Add the onions and stir in thoroughly. Do the same with the haddock, lime pickle (if using) and chopped fresh herbs, taking care to keep the fish flakes as large as possible.
• When everything is warmed through, season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide the kedgeree among 4 plates, then crown each with a soft egg cut in half and well seasoned. Garnish each plate with a lemon wedge and drink a strong gin and tonic alongside.