Ingredients: 2 fresh Haddock fillets (about 6 ounces each) 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 pinch pepper 2 medium onions, finely sliced 4 pieces Chinese star anise 4 tablespoons dark soy sauce 1 1/2 tablespoons rock or granulated sugar 2 tablespoons Shaoxing (rice) wine or medium sherry 3 slices fresh root ginger, shredded 6 tablespoons good-quality chicken or fish stock Oil for deep-frying Green leaves, such as lamb's lettuce or young spinach, and radishes to garnish 4 teaspoons sesame oil

Serves/Makes: 4 - 6

How to cook Chinese Fish Salad with Star Anise:

• Rub the fish with salt and pepper. (Do not remove the skin).
• Place the onions and star anise in a flat-bottomed pan, then add the soy sauce, sugar, wine, ginger and stock.
• Place the fish, skin side up, in the pan and marinate for 2 hours. Remove the fish and set aside.
• Turn the heat on under the pan and bring to the boil.
• Add the fish and simmer for 15 minutes, turning the fish once, and basting until the liquid thickens.
• Turn the heat off and leave to marinate for a further hour.
• Remove the fish from the marinade and leave to drain on a rack before you complete the last stage.
• Deep fry the fish for 2-3 minutes, skin side down.
• Remove carefully and drain away excess oil.
• When the fish has cooled cut it into 1 inch slices and arragne in the centre of a bed of green leaves.
Garnish with sliced radishes and drizzle with sesame oil.

Notes: