English Fish Mornay Recipes

WHITEFISH MORNAY

Steps:

• 1. Add the fish fillets to a nonstick pan, pour in the milk, add the bay leaf and the peppercorns. Heat on low heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes to poach the fish, the fish will flake easily when cooked through.
• 2. Remove the pan from heat, remove the fish from the pan to a plate and cover to keep warm. Remove the bay leaf from the milk. Keep that pan with the milk handy, you will need it soon.
• 3. In a saucepan on low heat, melt the butter then whisk in the flour, continuously whisk for 2 minutes.
• 4. Using the milk in the pan you poached the fish in, add a small amount to the saucepan and whisk in, repeat until all the milk from the pan is used. Now whisk in small amounts of fresh milk until you get a nice creamy consistency. Taste and season with black pepper if desired.
• 5. When the sauce is a nice creamy consistency, increase heat and bring to a boil, whisking continuously. Once at a boil, remove from heat and whisk in the cheese until smooth.
• 6. Plate the fish, spoon sauce over the fish, garnish with chopped chives if desired (I just added a little ground black pepper), serve with sides of your choice. Enjoy.

COD, CAULIFLOWER & CHORIZO MORNAY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and blanch the cauliflower for 3-4 mins until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan and cook the chorizo for a couple of mins to brown, then remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, leaving the oil behind. Melt the butter in the pan, then add the flour to make a roux. Pour in the milk gradually, whisking constantly, until smooth. Add the Gruyère, stir until melted, then season.
• Put the cauliflower in a baking dish (or divide between individual dishes) with the chorizo and cod. Spoon over the cheese sauce and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and parsley. Bake for 30-40 mins until the top is golden.

ENGLISH FISH MORNAY

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pan, fry the onions until tender (about 2 minutes).
• Add the flour and cook for a full minute, add the milk and milk. Reduce the heat and whisk. Add the mustard and mix through.
• Add the fish and simmer for 5 minutes stirring carefully. Add the cream and pour into a well buttered pie plate or shallow ceramic baking dish.
• Top with the potato topping very carefully in small spoonfuls (so it doesn't sink to the bottom).
• Top with the cheese and breadcrumbs and bake for 40 minutes at 180oC (360F).
• Serve with bread and butter and steamed seasonal veggies.
• To make topping:.
• Mash the potatoes in a large bowl with the milk and butter. I like to use my hand beater to get it really smooth.

CREAMY HADDOCK GRATINS

Steps:

• Place 4-6 small, shallow flameproof dishes on a baking tray.
• For the gratin topping, mix the breadcrumbs, gruyere and parsley and set aside while you make the filling.
• For the filling, pour the milk into a large, deep frying pan and add the onion, bay leaf and lemon peel. Place the fish skin-side down in the pan and bring to a gentle simmer over a medium heat. Baste the fish occasionally with the milk, and cook for 5-6 minutes. When cooked, the fish will be opaque and be starting to flake into pieces. Leave to stand for 5 minutes.
• Drain the fish in a colander over a large jug, reserve the milk.
• Melt the butter in a large non-stick saucepan and stir in the flour with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Remove from the heat and slowly add the reserved warm milk, stirring constantly. Return to the heat, bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to stir until it is smooth and thick. Stir in the wine or vermout, Gruyère, mustard and cream. Cook over a low heat for a further 2-3 minutes, while stirring. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Flake the fish into chunky pieces and discard the skin, onion, bay leaf and lemon peel. Add the fish to the pan with the sauce and heat very gently for a 2 minutes to warm it through.
• While the fish is warming, preheat the grill to hot and place the baking tray with the shallow dishes under the heat to warm for a few seconds. Carefully remove them from the heat and divide the hot fish mixture between the warm dishes. Sprinkle with the gratin topping and return to the grill for 3-5 minutes or until nicely browned and filling bubbling undeneath.

CLASSIC MORNAY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the roux is pale yellow and frothy, about 1 minute. Do not allow the roux to brown. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil, about 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and season with the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Allow to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. This is now called a bechamel sauce, and may be used as is to top any number of dishes.
• Stir in the cheese and whisk until melted. If the sauce seems to thick, thin with a little milk.
• The sauce is now called a Mornay Sauce. Pour over steamed vegetables and serve immediately. If not using right away, cool, cover surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several days.

SEAFOOD AND SPINACH MORNAY

Steps:

• Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan, add onion and garlic, cook until onion softens, add wine, stir until hot.
• Mix some water with the cornflour, add some of the cornflour to the onion, garlic mix, just enough to thicken slightly, add milk, fish stock, cheese and dill, cook stirring until cheese melts, add remaining cornflour mix and stir until mixture thickens. (don't worry if it seems real thick as you still have to add the cream).
• Add fish, prawns, scallops and spinach, cook stirring gently until spinach wilts about 3 minutes, add cream stir to combine.Remove from heat.
• In a fry pan melt butter, add panko flakes and parsley, stir to combine.
• Pour fish mixture into an oven proof dish, top with panko mix and sprinkle extra cheese over the top. Bake in a moderate oven (180c) for about 20 Min's or until golden brown.
• To Serve: Place in serving bowls and garnish with dill if desired.

SOLE MORNAY (BAKED FISH WITH A WHITE CHEESE SAUCE)

Steps:

• If fillets are large, cut lengthwise in half.
• Roll up fish and secure with toothpicks.
• Place in shallow rectangular baking dish.
• Sprinkle with lemon juice.
• Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 400 F degree oven for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan.
• Blend in flour, bouillon mix and dry mustard.
• Gradually stir in the milk.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until it boils and thickens.
• Add both cheeses and stir until melted.
• Add salt and pepper and serve over the cooked and drained fish rolls.