Sea bass with asparagus & Jersey Royals

Method

• step 1

  Put the egg yolks in a large bowl with a pinch of salt and the lemon zest and juice. Whisk to combine, then add the garlic and whisk again. Slowly add the oil, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a mayonnaise and all the oil is used. Taste and add salt, white pepper and additional lemon juice, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and chill until required.

• step 2

  Put the potatoes in a medium-sized pan, cover with lightly salted water, put on the lid and bring to the boil. Remove lid and cook until tender. Drain, toss with a drizzle of oil, set aside and keep warm.

• step 3

  Meanwhile, cook the asparagus in a large pan of boiling salted water for 3-5 mins until tender. Drain, then drizzle with oil and set aside to keep warm.

• step 4

  For the sea bass, heat the grill, pour 2 tbsp of the oil into a frying pan set over a medium heat, add the thyme and garlic, and cook for 1-2 mins. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper into the pan, add the fish, skin-side up, cook for 2-3 mins, then remove from the heat. Drizzle with the remaining oil, then cook under the grill for about 4 mins until the skin blisters and the fish is cooked through. Keep the fish warm while you finish the veg.

• step 5

  Thickly slice the potatoes and arrange a layer in the middle of each of 4 dinner plates. Scatter the asparagus over the potatoes, squeeze over some lemon juice and finish with a grind of black pepper. Top each plate with a fillet of sea bass, finishing with a dollop of mayonnaise and the snipped chives.