Chef Chris Bailey serves fried sea bass with an oil made from langoustine shells, a silky carrot purée and braised baby fennel.
To make the nasturtium oil, heat the pomace oil to 80°C in a Thermomix. Add the nasturtium leaves and blend on high for 1 minute, then chill over ice and leave overnight before passing through muslin
Roast the langoustine shells 180°C for 10 minutes till lightly golden. Add the herbs and spices for 1 minute, then add the oil and reduce the heat to 120°C. Cover and cook for 1 hour, then add the oil and chill
For the fennel, bring the stock to the boil with the star anise, bay leaf and thyme sprig. Add the salt and fennel, then cook until tender - around 4 minutes. Remove the fennel from the stock but reserve the liquid. Set aside for reheating later
Cover the carrots with the carrot juice and season with salt. Cook until tender, topping up with water if necessary. Drain, reserving the liquor, and blend on high adding liquid as necessary to make a smooth purée. Transfer to a blender with 75ml langoustine oil and the xanthan gum to emulsify, then season to taste
Heat a frying pan over a medium-high heat and add a knob of butter. Cook the sea bass portions skin side down, finishing under the grill until just cooked. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice
Heat the fennel gently with some of the stock, and cook the baby carrots in boiling water with a knob of butter
Warm the carrot purée and arrange on the plate with the sea bass, spinach. Garnish with some fresh nasturtium leaves and some of the langoustine oil
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