Cod Croquettes and Red Bell Pepper Gravy with Spinach Mashers

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Bring 1/2 inch water to a simmer in a large nonstick skillet. Zest the lemon and reserve. Cut the lemon and season the fish with lemon juice and salt, then add the fish to the simmering water. Cover the pan and cook the fish for 8 minutes.

   Step 2

   Remove the fish and flake it into a bowl. Discard the poaching water and wipe out the pan, returning it to the heat over a medium flame to heat up the 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Add the reserved lemon zest, celery, onions, Old Bay, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper to the fish. Add the egg yolk and 1 cup of the bread crumbs. Form 8 fish patties and coat in the remaining bread crumbs to set the patties.

   Step 3

   Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden and reserve under a foil tent as with the meat croquettes. Return the skillet to the heat again and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter, then add the red bell peppers and shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute more. Whisk in the stock to make a red pepper gravy. Season the gravy with a little salt and pepper.

   Step 4

   Continue with the potatoes and serve as in the master recipe, #74.