Spicy and delicious, this kedgeree is dead easy to make and perfect for a big family brunch. Some people love peas in a kedgeree and some don’t – it’s up to you. It tastes great either way.
It is widely believed that the dish was brought to the United Kingdom by returning British colonials who had enjoyed it in India and introduced it to the UK as a breakfast dish in Victorian times.
Preparation time
less than 30 mins
Cooking time
30 mins to 1 hour
Serves
Serves 6
Ingredients
475g/1lb 1oz undyed smoked haddock fillet, cut in half
2 bay leaves
200g/7oz basmati rice, rinsed in cold water and drained
4 free-range eggs
100g/3½ frozen peas (optional)
40g/1½oz butter
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 heaped tbsp medium curry powder
3 tbsp double cream
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ lemon, juiced
freshly ground black pepper
Method
Place the haddock in a large frying pan, skin-side up. Pour over 500ml/17fl oz water, add the bay leaves and bring the water to a gentle simmer. Cook the fish for 8-10 minutes until it is just done and flakes easily. Drain in a colander set over a bowl, reserving the cooking liquor, and discard the bay leaves.
Pour the cooking liquor into a medium saucepan and stir in the rice. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the rice very gently for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the rice covered for 3-5 minutes more. By this time it should have absorbed all the fish liquor.
While the rice is cooking, bring some water to the boil in a medium pan. Add the eggs and cook for eight minutes. Drain them in a sieve under cold running water and when cool enough to handle, peel them carefully and set aside. Cook the peas, if using, in a small pan of boiling water and drain.
Melt the butter with the oil in a large pan and cook the onion over a low hear for five minutes until well softened, stirring occasionally. Add the curry powder and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Place the cooked rice into the pan and stir in the onions. Add the peas, cream, parsley and a few twists of ground black pepper.
Flake the fish into chunky pieces and add these to the pan. Gently stir the lemon juice and cook for 1-2 minutes. Cut the eggs into quarters and place them on the rice. Cover the pan with a lid and heat through for 2-3 minutes or until the eggs are warm, then serve.
If not serving immediately, tip the kedgeree into a warm dish and dot with a few cubes of butter. Cover with foil and keep warm in a low oven for up to 20 minutes before serving.