fish on the menu

Always up for an adventure, Annabel wades in boots and all to net flounder on a Nelson beach. Her haul is the starting point for a Mediterranean-themed meal featuring a generous platter of tapas, the simplest baked fish and a delicious Vanilla Citrus Terrine.

On this page you'll find recipes, bonus videos and behind-the-scenes photos from this episode. All the rest of the recipes from the series are in the accompanying book, Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures.

vanilla citrus terrine

Vanilla Citrus Terrine

Roasted Pepper Boats

Honeyed Oranges

behind-the-scenes photo gallery

I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend the day than out fishing. But today I'm not idly dangling a rod over the side of a boat, I'm working for my supper – dragging a flounder net through the shallows in Delaware Bay, near Nelson.

I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend the day than out fishing. But today I'm not idly dangling a rod over the side of a boat, I'm working for my supper – dragging a flounder net through the shallows in Delaware Bay, near Nelson.
Sound man Ant gets up close and personal rigging me up with a microphone. I never realised just how important sound is when you're filming. It's so easy to get interference that means you can't hear the words properly. Wind is the worst!

Sound man Ant gets up close and personal rigging me up with a microphone. I never realised just how important sound is when you're filming. It's so easy to get interference that means you can't hear the words properly. Wind is the worst!
Local angler and radio fishing show presenter Crimpy and I head off with our net.

Local angler and radio fishing show presenter Crimpy and I head off with our net.
Crimpy briefs me on the task at hand.

Crimpy briefs me on the task at hand.
It's not glamorous but I'm in my element out here foraging from nature.

It's not glamorous but I'm in my element out here foraging from nature.
Our haul is good – I can't wait to get these slippery flounder into the pan!

Our haul is good – I can't wait to get these slippery flounder into the pan!
Like many flat fish around the world, flounder are delicious fried whole in a pan with some butter and a little salt. But this time I'm baking the tender fillets in the oven with Mediterranean flavours. It's such an easy dish to prepare ahead and takes only a few minutes to cook.

Like many flat fish around the world, flounder are delicious fried whole in a pan with some butter and a little salt. But this time I'm baking the tender fillets in the oven with Mediterranean flavours. It's such an easy dish to prepare ahead and takes only a few minutes to cook.
I leave the fish in the water for as long as possible to keep them cool and fresh.

I leave the fish in the water for as long as possible to keep them cool and fresh.
Look what the people near us caught in their net – a monkfish, no less. I'm really pleased I didn't stand on that!

Look what the people near us caught in their net – a monkfish, no less. I'm really pleased I didn't stand on that!
The crew and I hitch a ride back along the beach.

The crew and I hitch a ride back along the beach.