Herb-crusted cod with parsnip purée

To begin, make the parsnip purée. Peel the parsnips and dice into small pieces. Place in a saucepan, cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil and simmer until very tender

Drain thoroughly and transfer to a Vitamix. Add the cream, season with a little freshly grated nutmeg, salt and pepper and select Variable 1. Start the machine, gradually increase to Variable 8 and blend for 30 seconds, or until you have a silky-smooth purée. Taste again and adjust the seasoning if necessary

To make the crumb for the cod, remove the crusts from the bread slices, add the bread to the Vitamix and pulse until you have breadcrumbs (do not pulse too much), you want an even crumb

Add the herbs and garlic and continue pulsing until you have a fine herb crumb mixture, which is a vibrant green colour. Remove from the Vitamix and place in a bowl

Next, melt the butter and dip one side of each cod fillet into it. Spread a thin layer of creamed horseradish over the buttered side, and then press this side of the fish into the breadcrumbs

Place on a buttered baking sheet and season well. At this stage the fish can be left if not cooking immediately

Preheat the oven to 190°C/gas mark 5

Place the cod in the oven and bake for 5–10 minutes according to the thickness of the fillets. The fish is cooked once the flesh just starts to flake when pushed with your finger

Using a mandoline, slice the carrots lengthways and heat through in a pan of salted boiling water with a knob of butter. Drain and season

You can colour the crumb topping a little more by finishing it under a hot grill, if preferred. Serve with warm parsnip purée and ribbons of baby carrot