Cod Mornay Recipes

COD AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/355°F/ gas mark 4.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and incorporate the flour to form a roux.
• Slowly pour in the milk and whisk vigorously to smooth out any lumps that might form.
• Continue stirring until the sauce has thickened then add the zest, mustard, dill, and Dziugas cheese. Season to taste.
• Arrange the cod fillets in one layer in an ovenproof baking dish.
• Pour the sauce over the fish.
• Mix the breadcrumbs, cheddar and oil in a bowl then scatter evenly on the fish.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until it is golden and crispy on top.
• Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping in the luscious sauce.

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.

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.

COD MORNAY

Steps:

• Add a little vegetable oil to a large frying pan and throw in the chopped shallots. Cook for 10-15 five minutes or until they're nice and soft; you don't want them to colour just soften.
• Now add the spinach and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg - it will look like you have far too much spinach but trust me once it wilts, it'll be fine. Keep the spinach moving about in the pan and once it's wilted (a minute or two) turn off the heat and leave to one side.
• In another (much smaller frying pan) heat up the 250ml of milk and then put the cod in along with a bay leaf and the peppercorns; you'll know when the cod is cooked as it will begin to show signs of flaking.
• Don't overcook the fish as it's going into the oven. Remove the cod from the milk, but keep the milk for making the sauce.
• Put the cod onto a plate and use a fork to break it up. It will naturally fall into flakes quite easily. Don't mush it up, keep those flakes of cod looking good!
• Now peel and very thinly slice (2mm) seriously they need to be thin or they won't cook, so it's best to use a mandolin slicer.
• Lay the potatoes in a shallow dish with a little water and cover with cling film, make a couple of holes and pop it into the microwave for about 1 minute.
• Give the potatoes a stir and back into the microwave for another minute or so - the exact time will depend on your microwave and how thinly you sliced those potatoes. They need to be pretty much cooked as they won't have time to cook properly once they are in the oven.
• *Time to make the sauce - see below*
• In a medium-sized saucepan add the butter and once it's melted add the flour.
• Cook for a minute or so whilst stirring with a wooden spoon, if you don't cook the flour your sauce will taste floury and will be lumpy.
• Add the milk you reserved earlier when you poached the cod, add it a little at a time stirring all the while.
• Now add the mustard and the 220ml of milk, stirring continuously on the heat until the sauce bubbles and begins to thicken.
• Add a pinch of salt and turn down to a simmer and cook for around 5 minutes - you will need to keep stirring.
• Remove the sauce from the heat, find the 3 peppercorns and discard.
• Stir in the grated Gruyere cheese until you have a nice thick but smooth sauce. If you really need to you can add a tiny bit more milk.
• To finish the cod mornay, butter a 10-inch gratin dish or similar.
• Do a layer of potatoes and season lightly with salt and pepper, then add the spinach followed by the rest of the potatoes.
• Now add the fish and top with the rest of the sauce.
• Sprinkle the top with the panko crumbs and add a handful of Cheddar cheese.
• Bake on the middle shelf of your preheated oven for about 40 minutes, check that everything is piping hot and serve with some nice peas.

COD MORNAY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/160FAN/Gas4.
• Divide the fish and prawns between the gratin dishes.
• Heat the milk in a saucepan, over a medium heat, until it comes to a simmer then turn off the heat and transfer the milk to a jug.
• Add the butter to the pan and heat until melted then tip in the flour and stir to combine for 1 minute.
• Pour in a quarter of the milk to the pan, stirring all the time as the sauce comes together then add the rest of the milk.
• Cook stirring until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens, then cook for a further minute.
• Take the sauce off the heat and add the pepper, half of the cheese and chives. Stir to combine and check the seasoning.
• Divide the sauce evenly between the dishes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Put the dishes on a baking tray and cook for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

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.

MORNAY MELTING-MIDDLE FISHCAKES

Steps:

• First, make the mornay sauce at least a few hours before making the fishcakes. Put the flour and butter in a small pan over a low-medium heat and cook until the butter is melted, then stir to make a paste. Slowly whisk in the milk until you have a smooth sauce. Continue cooking until thickened, about 5 mins, then remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and mustard. Season. Oil a few small pieces of baking parchment, then use to line four holes of a muffin tin. Alternatively, use silicone cupcake cases. Divide the sauce between the cases and freeze for at least 2 hrs.
• Put the potatoes and bay leaf in a large pan, cover with water and season with salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins until tender. Remove the potatoes with a slotted spoon, put in a colander and leave to steam-dry.
• Add all the fish to the water in the pan, reduce the heat to low and poach for 5 mins. The fish is cooked when it just starts to flake apart. Carefully transfer the fish to a board with a slotted spoon, and leave to cool for 5 mins.
• Flake the fish, discarding any skin and bones. Tip the potatoes into a clean pan, season well and grate over some nutmeg. Mash until smooth, then fold through the fish, parsley and lemon zest. Leave to cool.
• Divide the fishcake mixture into four portions. Working with one portion at a time, mould into a ball. Make a well in the centre, and push one of the frozen mornay sauce discs into it. Shape the fishcake around the sauce middle so you have a smooth hockey-puck shape. Repeat with the remaining portions and sauce, then freeze the fishcakes for at least 15 mins.
• Put the flour in a shallow bowl, the egg in a second, and the fresh breadcrumbs in a third. Season the egg. Coat the fishcakes well in the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. If you have any egg or breadcrumbs left at the end, keep dipping and coating until everything is used up. Freeze the fishcakes until firm, about 1 hr. Will keep frozen for up to one month. Defrost in the fridge for 2 hrs before cooking.
• Fill a large, deep pan no more than two-thirds full with oil, and heat it to 180C. Or, use a deep-fat fryer. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Deep-fry the fishcakes for 7 mins, turning halfway, until crisp. Drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper, then transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 5 mins (or 15 mins from frozen) until the middles are hot. Serve with salad and lemon wedges.