Lemon sole with fennel, mussels, clams and cockles

Ingredients

1 x 350g/12oz lemon sole
200g/7oz butter, cut into 1cm/½in cubes
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, juice only
1 bulb fennel, finely sliced, fennel tops reserved for later
1 banana shallot, finely chopped
250ml/9fl oz dry white wine, preferably Sauvignon Blanc
200g/7oz mussels, cleaned
200g/7oz clams
50ml/2fl oz Pernod

Method

1. Trim the fins and tail from the sole.
2. Slash the top of the fish three times diagonally on each side.
3. Heat a large frying pan until hot, then add 50g/1¾oz of the butter.
4. When it turns brown, drop the fish into the butter and cook over a medium heat for five minutes.
5. Dot the top of the fish with a further 50g/1¾oz of butter and sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
6. Place under a hot grill for six minutes.
7. Meanwhile, in a deep sauté pan, add another 50g/1¾oz of butter, the sliced fennel and shallot.
8. Sauté for three minutes, then add the white wine and shellfish.
9. Put the lid on and cook for two minutes.
10. Place the sole on a serving dish, then lift out the fennel and shellfish and place around the sole.
11. To finish, turn up the heat in the sauté pan and add the Pernod, then whisk in the rest of the butter, allowing the sauce to emulsify.
12. Pour the sauce over the fish and decorate with the reserved fennel tops to serve.