I still have a slight sting of chili on my palate after destroying 3 of them. I accidentally ordered a piece of smoked cod fillet, it was to be fresh. I had different idea as to what to make with it, but as it turned out to be smoked, I went with fishcakes.

I’ve not cooked anything special from Mary Berry’s cookbook I’ve bought a few weeks ago, but while looking through it I found that Mary recommends poaching fish for fishcakes (I normally pan fried it), in milk, no less, with a couple of bay leaves and peppercorns. I threw some shrimps in too, poached alongside the cod. Cooked and mashed the potatoes, added the flaked fish and chopped prawns, chucked in a good handful of fresh coriander, some chili, thinly sliced shallot and seasoned it all well.  After a few hours in the fridge I shaped the fishcakes, tossed them in flour, egg and then breadcrumbs, panfried and served with spicy mayo, green salad and a glass of cold pinot gris.  To the enjoyment of my meal added the third installment of Helen Fields’ crime thrillers, “Perfect Death”.  Perfect meal. Fab fishcakes, the smoky fish is the way to go.