Black cod is a soft and fatty fish, without the strong taste of fat fish like tuna or mackerel. This recipe is inspired by a dish from Nobu restaurant. The sharpness of the miso and sweetness of the mirin work perfectly to cut the fish’s fattiness. Remember that preparation starts 3 days in advance!

Serve as part of a menu with:
– Starter: Pan-fried goat’s cheese
– Dessert: Rosemary panna cotta

Serves 4 people

4 x 150 g skinless, boneless black cod fillets
3 tbsp mirin
3 tbsp sake
120 ml white miso paste
80 ml caster sugar
vegetable oil for frying

3 cm fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly using a mandolin
50 ml rice vinegar
50 ml caster sugar
a pinch of salt

300 ml red camargue and wild rice
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 baby pak choi, washed and halved lengthways
sesame oil for frying
100 ml soy beans

1. In a small pan, bring the miring and sake to the boil. Whisk in the miso until dissolved. Add the sugar and cook over moderate heat, whisking, just until dissolved. Let cool, then add to the fish, making sure to coat both sides of the fillets. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
2. Mix rice vinegar and sugar in a pan and bring to the boil to dissolve the sugar. Take aside, add salt and ginger. Let cool, then seal and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours to develop the flavour (this can be prepared a day ahead).
3. Boil the rice according to instructions. Once cooked, discard remaining liquid and add butter. Add the rice to a small cup and push down the rice to make it more compact. Keep warm until serving.
4. Boil the soy beans for 3 minutes. Refresh in cold water, then peel off the skin.
5. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Heat a grill pan and oil it. Scrape the marinade off the fish. Add the fish and cook over high heat until browned, about 2 minutes, on each side. Transfer the fish to the oven and roast for 5 minutes, until the fish is flaky.
6. Put the remaining marinade into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then take aside and keep warm.
7. Fry the pak choi in sesame oil in high heat for 2 minutes. Season with salt.
8. To plate, carefully turn over the cup with the rice onto the plate and remove the cup. Add the fish, vegetables and sauce. Decorate with some pickled ginger.