Lemon Sole Fillet with Maple, Sage, Cranberry and Almond Stuffing

For the fish

• 4 lemon sole fillets
• 1 knob unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 sage leaves
• sea salt

For the stuffing

• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 20 g unsalted butter
• 300 g sausage meat
• 2 eggs
• 1 lemon, zested
• 3 tsp sage, chopped
• 50 g dried cranberries
• 30 g almonds, toasted
• 3 tbsp breadcrumbs
• sea salt and pepper

For the orange and thyme dressing

• 250 g unsalted butter
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 orange, zested
• 100 ml red wine
• 50 ml port (optional)
• 50 ml red wine vinegar
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1 pinch sugar
• 100 ml pure maple syrup
• 100 g cranberries
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
• sea salt and pepper

stuffing

1. Cook onions and garlic in butter until softened. Cool, then mix with the sausage meat.
2. Add eggs, lemon zest, chopped sage, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Chill until needed.

lemon sole

1. Trim the skin from fillets, cover each with cling film, and gently bash with a large knife to flatten.
2. Place each fillet on a piece of cling film wide enough to tie at both ends.
3. Spoon stuffing onto a fillet, cover with another fillet, wrap tightly with cling film, and tie ends. Chill in the fridge.

dressing

1. Heat butter gently with garlic and thyme until butter browns slightly. Remove from heat, add orange zest, and allow to cool, letting the butter separate.
2. In another pan, reduce red wine, port, vinegar, shallots, sugar, and maple syrup until syrupy.
3. Combine with the cooled butter mixture, adding cranberries, chopped garlic, and thyme. Simmer briefly to soften berries. Season to taste.

to cook

1. Simmer a large pan of water. Place the wrapped fish in simmering water for 15 minutes. Remove and rest for 5 minutes.

to serve

1. Finish with butter and sage leaves. Drain excess butter from the pan, add fish juices to the dressing.
2. Pan-fry leftover stuffing until crispy, drizzle with warm dressing, and serve alongside fish.