Jamie's Pan-Fried Sea Bass and Crispy Pancetta

By Helen
Main ingredients:

• Sea bass fillets
• Pancetta
• Sweet potatoes
• Asparagus
• Broccoli

As Chris wasn't available this week, I was free to use one of his least-favourite ingredients: fish. 

Sea bass fillets were fried skin-side down (mmm...crispy!) with pancetta, fennel seeds and lemon. Meanwhile I microwaved sweet potatoes and mashed them with mango chutney, coriander, soy sauce and lime juice. The veggie element was provided by broccoli and asparagus dressed with more soy, more lime juice, garlic and chilli.

It all sounds complicated but the instructions are pretty logical (even if Jamie is a little obessed with serving things on boards!) I didn't time it exactly but I reckon it took around half an hour to pull it all together - no I didn't make the recommended 'lemon and ginger drink' or berry icecream, but I was taking it easy and chatting to my guests rather than battling the clock.

This was a real success. The fish was moist, mash was warm and tangy, and we found it impossible to leave any of the greens. Price per head: £3.98 - or £4.31 including dessert, which was borrowed from a different Jamie recipe - frangipane tarlets.

Making a large one rather than several small ones messed with the timings, but the combination of raspberry jam and almondy, buttery paste was very comforting, especially once it had cooled and set a little.

Best for... A noisy dinner with friends who are all happy to dig in and eat themselves to a standstill
Taken from... Jamie Oliver - 30 Minute Meals
Chris says... Nothing!