- Monkfish, Bacon, Grapes, Mushrooms
- 4 Monkfish Portions (150g each)
- Packet Sliced Pancetta
- 14 Red Seedless Grapes (cut into quarters)
- 10 Tarragon Leaves (chopped)
- 8 Baby Leeks (washed and trimmed)
- 500ml Rapeseed Oil
- Mushroom Ketchup
- 400g Button Mushrooms
- 200g Double Cream
- 1 Banana Shallot
- ½ Lime (Juiced)
- White Wine Reduction
- 100ml White Wine
- 100ml White Wine Vinegar Reduce by half
- 100ml Water
- 100ml Sugar
Monkfish, Bacon, Grapes, Mushrooms

Christopher Simpsom
13th December 2012
Monkfish, Bacon, Grapes, Mushrooms
Monkfish, Bacon, Grapes, Mushrooms Created by Chris Simpson, Head Chef, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw27 November 2012
Ingredients
Method
Place four or five slices of pancetta on a piece of cling film, place the Monkfish on top of the Pancetta and roll into a cylinder shape and tie both ends. Add the white wine, vinegar, water and sugar to a pan and reduce by half – set aside.
To make the Mushroom Ketchup, sweat the shallots and mushrooms for 5-6 minutes until all the water has evaporated, add cream, bring back to the boil and blitz in Thermomix until smooth, add lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, poach the Monkfish at 95° C for 7 minutes, leave to rest for 2 minutes and seal on all sides in a hot pan, blanch the leeks in boiling salted water for 3 minutes.
To plate up, slice Monkfish into 2 pieces, add a spoon of mushroom puree on to the plate, add the white wine reduction to the rapeseed oil, add grapes with a little salt and tarragon, spoon over the Monkfish and serve.
The Staff Canteen has always been more than a website—it’s a community, built by and for hospitality. We share the wins, the challenges, the graft, and the inspiration that keeps kitchens alive.
We believe in staying open to everyone, but creating this content takes real resources. If you’ve ever found value here—whether it’s a recipe, an interview, or a laugh when you needed it most—consider giving just £3 to keep it going.
A little from you keeps this space free for all. Let’s keep lifting the industry, together.