12 black mussels, scrubbed and debearded vegetable oil
112 onion, finely chopped
4 ripe tomatoes, blanched, skinned and finely chopped
12 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
125 ml white wine
grated mozzarella cheese
Heat oil in a medium saucepan and fry the onion until golden. Add the tomato and simmer gently until soft. Season with salt and pepper, remove from the heat and add the basil.
Bring the wine to the boil in a separate saucepan, add the mussels, cover and cook until they open wide. Discard any which remain shut. Remove and discard shells, gently pull out any beards which remain, and place mussels in the hollows of snail dishes.
Spoon over the tomato mixture, sprinkle generously with mozzarella and place under a hot grill until the cheese is golden. Serves 2 as a starter
Crayfish in a Cinzano and Mustard Sauce
2 large crayfish
4 spring onions, finely chopped
125 ml Cinzano Bianco 250ml cream
15 rill Dijon mustard
salt, milled black pepper, grated nutmeg
60 ml soft breadcrumbs
Cook the crayfish in boiling water for 6-10 minutes, depending on size. Scrub shells clean under running water and split lengthwise in half to open wide and fan the tails. Remove flesh from tails and bodies, devein, and cut the meat into chunks. Rinse shells, pat dry and place on a baking tray. Fill with crayfish meat, cover with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out, and keep warm.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and lightly fry the spring onion. Pour in the Cinzano and boil uncovered until reduced and syrupy. Slowly whisk in the cream and boil until the sauce
thickens. Add the mustard, and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Pour Cinzano and mustard sauce evenly over the crayfish, sprinkle with crumbs and Parmesan cheese and place under a hot grill until hot and golden. Serves 2
Fillet of Sole with Dill, Cucumber and Butter Sauce
4 medium soles, (575 g-700 g), filleted and skinned
15 ml Pernod
150 ml white wine
freshly squeezed juice of '12 lemon salt and milled black pepper
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
75 g butter, cut into blocks
dill fronds for garnish
Set the oven at 190°C. Butter an oven proof casserole. Fold each sole fillet in three to make a neat parcel and place in the dish.
Gently warm the Pernod and wine in a small saucepan, flame, add the lemon juice and pour over the fish. Season with salt and pepper, top with cucumber, cover and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked.
Place fish on four warm plates. Pour the cooking liquid into a clean saucepan and boil uncovered until reduced and syrupy. Whisk in the butter, add the chopped dill, and pour over the fish. Garnish with dill fronds and serve immediately.
Serves 4
