Chunky cod fritters with aïoli

Name: Chunky cod fritters with aïoli
Total time: 1 h
Yield: Serves 4 as a starter
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 200g Maris Piper potatoes; 250g skinless cod fillet; milk, for poaching; chopped to make 2 tbsp coriander; 1 large (about 50g) shallot, finely chopped; 3 tbsp port; a grating nutmeg; 3 eggs; 2 tbsp, plus more for dusting plain flour; 150g panko breadcrumbs; for frying vegetable oil; lemon cheeks or wedges, to serve; 2 egg yolks; 15g Dijon mustard; 1 lemon, zested and juiced; 1 clove garlic, crushed; 400ml vegetable oil

Preparation and cooking time
- Total time1 hr
- plus cooling and chilling
Easy
Serves 4 as a starter

Ingredients

200g Maris Piper potatoes
250g skinless cod fillet
milk, for poaching
chopped to make 2 tbsp coriander
1 large (about 50g) shallot, finely chopped
3 tbsp port
a grating nutmeg
3 eggs
2 tbsp, plus more for dusting plain flour
150g panko breadcrumbs
for frying vegetable oil
lemon cheeks or wedges, to serve

AÏOLI

2 egg yolks
15g Dijon mustard
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 clove garlic, crushed
400ml vegetable oil

Method

STEP 1
To make the aïoli, whizz the egg yolks, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and garlic, in a small blender. With the motor still running, slowly add the oil: drop by drop to begin with, then, when the emulsion starts to thicken, gradually increase the amount of oil you’re pouring. The result should be thick and smooth. Season well with salt and cover. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.
STEP 2
Boil the potatoes whole with the skin on. Drain, leave to cool until you can touch them, and peel (you should be able to do this with your fingers). Cut half of the potatoes into small cubes, and mash the other half with a fork. Leave to cool completely.
STEP 3
Cover the cod in milk, in a pan, and poach for a few minutes, until cooked. Drain and flake the cod with your hands.
STEP 4
Mix both potatoes, cod, coriander, shallots, and port in a bowl and season with 2 tsp of fine salt, a good grinding of pepper and a small grating of nutmeg. Add 1 beaten egg and 2 tbsp of flour to bind the mixture together. Form the mixture into 8 squares or balls or quenelles by hand, and chill for 30 minutes, to firm up.
STEP 5
Beat the remaining 2 eggs in a bowl, and the panko crumbs in another. Dust the chilled fritters with flour, then coat in the egg and the crumbs. Heat 3cm-4cm of oil in a large frying pan, until hot but not smoking. Fry the fritters for a few minutes on each side until golden, crisp, and cooked through. Scoop out of the oil and drain on kitchen paper. Serve the fritters with a dollop of aïoli and a cheek or wedge of lemon.