Nathan Outlaw creates a sophisticated option in the run-up to Christmas, this dish sees meaty monkfish filled with a herby sausage meat stuffing and tightly wrapped in a neat jacket of bacon.
To make the stuffing, cook the onions and garlic in the butter until softened. Allow to cool. Mix into the sausage meat. Add the egg, lemon zest, sage, cranberries, pine nuts and breadcrumbs
To make a tunnel for the stuffing, insert the tip of a sharp knife through the centre of the fish down its length, making sure not to cut through the outside
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Use the knife blade to make a pocket in the fish then push the stuffing into the monkfish. Remove the rind from the bacon and then wrap the bacon around the fish
Lay each piece of monkfish onto a piece of cling film long enough to tie at each end. Wrap the fish tightly – they will be immersed in water - and knot the ends. Chill
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To make the dressing, heat the butter, garlic and the thyme together until the butter starts to turn brown. Remove from the heat, add the orange zest and leave the butter to cool and separate
Pour off the clear butter and discard the remaining buttermilk and flavourings
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In a separate pan, reduce the wine, port, vinegar, shallots and sugar until the mixture is syrupy. Mix the syrup and the butter together and add the cranberries, chopped garlic, thyme and pine nuts
Trim and blanch the Brussels sprouts and chop the chestnuts. Heat a sauté pan and add some oil. When the oil is hot add the potatoes and start to colour all over
After 1 minute, add the sprouts and continue to cook. When the potatoes and sprouts are golden add the chestnuts, sage and a knob of butter. Season and drain off any excess butter. Keep warm
To cook the fish, bring a large pan of water to the simmer. Place the fish, still in the cling film casing, into the water and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the water and rest for 5 minutes
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Put a non-stick pan onto the heat and add a little oil. Cut the fish out of the cling film, reserving the juices for the dressing. Add the fish to the pan, season with salt and colour until golden
To plate, spoon the vegetable garnish onto four warm plates in equal portions. Slice each piece of monkfish into 3 pieces and lay these on top, and spoon over the warm dressing
