Dib Dab

Last week I purchased some fish that I had not heard of before, in Morrisons of all places. It was called Dab. I was a bit curious at the price, considering the man quoted me a mere £1.85 for two! But read on, and you will find it was worth it.

I admit, I have tried not to buy much salmon (I don't buy haddock or cod anyway because I do not really enjoy either) and through experimenting so far I have found some lovely new additions to my fishy repertoire. A surprisingly meaty flat fish, not dissimilar in looks and taste to to plaice and sole respectively, dab was no exception.

Please note: I am not really liking the fact that I have had to use the word buy so much, I hopefully will eventually find someone who can teach me how to fish.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the raw fish so I'll just show you a picture of the finished dish so you can picture the beautiful smell.

I absolutely love this picture! Almost as much as I loved the meal. I don't consider myself an avid follower of recipes, I tend to make it up as I go along. The majority of the time it works!

Firstly I roasted a large handful of pine nuts (loads really! Because I love them) and some bacon lardons in a frying pan and then removed. I scored the fish on both sides and rubbed in roughly chopped parsley and lemon rind and then roasted in the same pan. Skin side down (of course) for about 4 minutes and then flip over.

Meanwhile I have thinly sliced red potatoes roasting in the oven with olive oil and seasoning. The fish is then placed on top of the potatoes (skin side up) and sprinkle with the lardon and pine nut mixture, along with some quartered cherry tomatoes, which were lovely and juicy ones offered from my mums tomato plants.

I accompanied the meal by a surprisingly delicious 2011 South African Chardonnay. I say it was surprising because I normally consider myself to be an ABC girl...Anything But Chardonnay. But I guess that is another post altogether.

I strongly recommend you try this fish, scrap the bacon if it's not to your taste (add some prawns if you fancy) have some lambs lettuce and a hunk of bread and enjoy!