Smokie haddock pots with Montgomery Cheddar recipe

An elegant starter containing seasonal ingredients that will impress guests at Christmas or any winter dinner party.

Ingredients

• 800g spinach, washed and large stalks removed
• 1kg undyed smoked haddock fillet, with skin
• 400ml milk
• 600g tomatoes, halved
• 35g unsalted butter
• 500ml double cream
• 200g Montgomery Cheddar, grated

Method

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/ fan170°C/gas 5. Put the spinach in a large saucepan, in 2 batches, and place over a medium-low heat. Cook, stirring, until the leaves have just wilted. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, squeeze out the excess liquid. Roughly chop, put into a bowl and season well. Set aside.
2. 2. Put the haddock in a frying pan with the milk. Bring just to the boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low and poach gently for 10 minutes, until just cooked. Use a slotted spoon to lift the fish from the milk and, when cool enough to handle, flake into pieces, discarding the skin and any bones. Transfer to 8 x 300ml gratin dishes or a 2.5-litre dish. Discard the milk.
3. 3. Deseed the tomatoes and slice. Melt the butter in a frying pan over a high heat, add the tomatoes and sauté until softened and the cooking juices are reduced. Season and set aside.
4. 4. Add the spinach to the dishes/ dish, followed by the tomatoes. Pour over the cream and top with the grated cheese. Bake in the hot oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Serve immediately.