- 300ml/½ pint hot vegetable oil, for deep frying
- 150g/5½oz monkfish tail, membrane removed, cut into strips
- 100g/3½oz self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- pinch sea salt
- 200ml/7fl oz chilled sparkling water
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 100g/3½oz fresh baby plum tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ onion, finely chopped
- 1 lime, juice only
- ½ fresh red chilli, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 55g/2oz okra, sliced
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- handful fresh chives, chopped, to garnish
- For the crisp fried monkfish, place the vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-based saucepan and heat until a small cube of bread sizzles and turns golden-brown when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
- In a bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour and salt with enough chilled water to make a thick batter. Stir in the sesame seeds.
- Dust the monkfish strips with a little flour and shake off the excess, then dip into the batter. Carefully place the monkfish into the hot oil and deep fry for 3-4 minutes, or until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
- For the salsa, mix together all the salsa ingredients in a small bowl.
- For the okra, heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan, add the okra and fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the sesame oil and salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, and fry for one minute.
- To serve, pile the tomato salsa onto a serving plate. Top with the crisp fried monkfish and place the okra on the side. Garnish with chives and serve.