Plaice Gratin with Buttered Greens and carrots

This is the first night of the £50 weekly challenge recipe series. Plaice is a cheap fish and delicious. It's also a sustainable fish, so wise ecological choice. This dish came in at approximately £4.50 for the two of us, so just £2.25 a head for a really delicious, healthy and satisfying.

EASY and QUICK

INGREDIENTS (serves 2)
Plaice fillets
1 large tomato
4 generous handfuls of shredded green Kale
2 carrots
1 handful of grated cheddar cheese
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp. plain flour
1/4 pt of milk
Butter, salt and pepper for seasoning

TOTAL COSTINGS approximately £4.50

STEP ONE:
Skin the place fillets and cut into two. Arrange in a gratin dish

STEP TWO:
Make a thick béchamel white sauce by melting butter in a pan and then adding flour until fully blended. Slowly add the milk and stir continuously until the flour has fully cooked out and the sauce is thick enough to spoon. It want's to be the consistency of thick double cream so that it is spreadable.

STEP THREE:
Spread the slightly cooled béchamel source over the fish and add sliced tomato.

STEP FOUR
Sprinkle with a handful of grated cheddar cheese and place in a 180c pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese top has gone a nice golden brown.

SERVE with green buttered kale and carrots.

BRING ON THE MAGIC

Classic blue and white tea towels
such as these available from eBay for
a couple of pounds each make
great placemats or use a couple to
make a runner.

Any meal, no matter how humble can be made into a really special eating experience with a little bit of imagination. This dish makes a great 'special' dish for a weekend or date night experience.



I love these cute sailing boats
which are available from eBay. Click
to link. I can imagine using them for
all kinds of lovely fish suppers

Create Magic by  using a seaside blue and white scheme. Search around your house and gather up anything that might evoke the seaside. Adding a few details such as shells and pebbles to the table instantly transports you to a happy place. Place a night light in a heat-proof blue drinking glass or for even more drama, place in a series of three scallop shells along length of table; use blue and white cotton tea towels as tray covers or place mats. Tie napkins with plaited string - let your imagination flow.