Neven’s Pan Fried Brill with Balsamic Lentils - Episode 1

For The Creamed Mushrooms

Dice all the mushrooms and set aside. Heat a pan over a medium heat and add the rapeseed oil and butter. Add in the diced mushrooms and crushed garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until just softened. Add in the madeira wine, thyme and stir through. Finish with cream and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes and set aside until needed

For The Balsamic Lentils

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over a medium heat, seal off the bacon lardons. Add in the diced carrots and celeriac, until softened but not coloured. Add in the balsamic vinegar and caster sugar. Stir in the lentils and then pour in the stock and allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes until the carrot and celeriac are cooked and completely tender. Season to taste.Stir the parsley into the braised lentils. Garnish with the parsley leaves to serve.

To Cook The Brill

Heat a non-stick frying pan with the rapeseed oil and butter. Season the fillets with sea salt. Carefully add the fillets to the hot pan and scatter over some fresh thyme. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Using a fish slice carefully turn over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until cooked through

For the Sautéed Spinach

In a large frying pan melt the butter and add in the spinach. Season with salt and pepper and toss to wilt the leaves for 2-3 minutes. Once wilted, place the spinach on kitchen paper to absorb any excess moisture

To Serve

Spoon the balsamic lentils onto the centre of the plate, followed by the cooked brill. Spoon over the creamed mushrooms and finally the wilted spinach to the back and finish with fresh parsley leaves.