Warren's Wonderful Fish Pasta

It was inevitable that this dish would show up on my blog before long ... it's SO very delicious that we have it quite frequently.  It's also quick and easy to prepare, quite wholesome and fairly easy on the purse, too!  An all-round success, then ... and created entirely by my lovely hubby, clever man!

Fry a chopped mild onion (he used a red onion here) and a crushed garlic clove in some oil in a large (lidded) pan - don't allow to brown.  When softened, add half a fish stock cube, black pepper, some dried tarragon, a wine glass of dry vermouth (eg. Martini) and a wine glass of water.  Simmer for about 5 minutes or so, to infuse flavours and soften tarragon.

Place some chunks of mixed fish, such as salmon, smoked haddock and coley (we use a pack of "fish pie mix" sold in supermarkets) on top of the sauce, put the lid on the pan and cook gently for another 5-10 minutes, until the fish is just cooked (try not to overcook it).  Now, take off the lid and carefully move the fish to one side of the pan while you finish the sauce (this prevents the delicate fish from breaking up too much, so you get some nice big chunks).

Add some cream (single or double - be fairly generous, but don't drown the fish in sauce!!) and a little cornflour (about 2 teaspoons mixed into in a small cup of cold water).  Heat and stir until the sauce is thickened. then carefully bring the fish back in.  Serve immediately over cooked pasta - our favourite is linguine - accompanied by a lovely fresh salad.  It's gorgeous!!

This treatment also works for a chicken and bacon base (see a similar dish in the January archive) or for a V vegetarian alternative, try using sliced mushrooms, peppers & courgettes.

I made a dessert last night, too ... which is most unusual!  I'd been fancying something like a chocolate cake for a few days and finally got round to making this moist, surprisingly light and scrummy Dark Chocolate Torte, which we had (as you can see!) with some fresh, sliced strawberries and a big dollop of extra thick double cream.  Heaven on a plate!

Finally, I made a batch of chocolate cornflake cakes for our grandchildren, as Warren is visiting them today, so he's taken a tubful with him to Plymouth ... hope he doesn't eat them all on the way!