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The main dish, Regional

Roast monkfish wrapped in bacon

Roast monkfish wrapped in bacon is a fish dish for 6 people, with smoky bacon wrapped around the tail and baby potatoes roasted alongside. It takes 25 minutes of hands-on work and comes together in the morning for the oven later that day. This is an easy recipe at €11.20 per person, and the key to it is very thin bacon that melts as it roasts.

A monkfish tail bundled up in thin strips of smoky bacon, roasted with golden baby potatoes, simple and genuinely satisfying.

Roast monkfish wrapped in bacon
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€11.20
Calories per person
430 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Monkfish has this firm, dense texture that holds up well in the oven, almost like meat. Wrapped in very thin strips of smoked bacon, it stays moist while the bacon crisps and seasons the flesh. Thyme and garlic tucked into the fish infuse it gently, and the pan juices finished with a splash of lemon become the sauce, no extra work needed.

This is a country style dish that earns its place at a dinner with friends or a family meal, through fall, winter or spring. The baby potatoes roast right alongside the fish and soak up the pan juices, so there's no separate side to manage. Start with a simple appetizer and save a make-ahead dessert for later, monkfish mostly needs your attention at serving time.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 20 min
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 30 min

In the morning, trim the monkfish, tuck in the thyme and garlic, then wrap and tie it with bacon and keep it chilled until evening. Just before guests arrive, prep the potatoes and start their first round in the oven. At serving time, set the monkfish on the potatoes, finish roasting, let it rest, then slice and spoon over the lemony pan juices.

The ingredients

6 people

Fish counter

  • Monkfish tails, trimmed 1.4 kg

Butcher

  • Thinly sliced smoked bacon 12 slices

Fruits and vegetables

  • Baby potatoes 1.2 kg
  • Thyme 6 sprigs
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Lemon 1

Pantry

  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Kitchen twineoften in the pantry 1
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Ask your fishmonger to remove the skin and membrane from the monkfish tails. Season with pepper and tuck thyme and garlic into the folds.

    Leftover membrane makes the monkfish rubbery.

  2. Wrap each tail in bacon, overlapping the slices, tie loosely with twine and keep chilled.

    Finish the wrap with the seam facing down.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Wash the baby potatoes, halve them and toss in a baking dish with the oil, crushed garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.

    Spread them in a single layer so they brown evenly.

  2. Roast the potatoes at 200 degrees for 20 minutes. 20 min

    Turn them halfway through.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Set the monkfish on top of the potatoes and roast for another 25 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes under foil. 30 min

    Pierce the flesh with a knife, it should come out warm when done.

  2. Remove the twine, slice the monkfish and spoon over the pan juices with a splash of lemon.

    Cut thick slices, about 2 cm, monkfish is better with some bite.

Our tips to get it right

  • Ask for monkfish tails well trimmed by your fishmonger, with no membrane left, otherwise the fish shrinks and turns rubbery as it cooks.
  • Don't tie the bacon too tight, it needs room to crisp slightly at the edges without smothering the flesh.
  • Check doneness with the tip of a knife rather than the clock, monkfish keeps cooking a bit during the rest.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked bacon for pancetta or regular bacon, it will taste a touch less smoky but just as good.
  • For a fish free version, wrap chicken breasts in bacon the same way, the cooking time stays about the same.
  • For kids, serve the monkfish untied and cut into smaller pieces, and skip the lemon if they prefer it plain.

What to serve it with

  • A well dressed green salad
  • A glass of dry white wine
  • Fresh goat cheese to start

Storage

Leftovers keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Monkfish doesn't freeze well once cooked, it's best eaten soon after. Reheat gently in the oven so the flesh doesn't dry out.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use a different fish instead of monkfish?

Yes, a thick cod fillet or monkfish cheeks work well, just pick a firm fish that can handle oven roasting. Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the piece.

How do you check the monkfish is cooked without cutting it open?

Pierce the flesh with the tip of a knife, it should come out warm and the flesh should flake slightly. Monkfish keeps cooking a little while it rests under foil.

Should you remove the twine before or after cooking?

Remove the twine right before serving, once the monkfish has rested. It slices into thick pieces much more easily that way.

Can the potatoes be prepped ahead of time?

They're prepped just before guests arrive, cut and seasoned right in the baking dish. They then roast on their own for a first round before the monkfish joins them.

Can a roast monkfish wrapped in bacon be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make a roast monkfish wrapped in bacon?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in a roast monkfish wrapped in bacon?

About 430 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a roast monkfish wrapped in bacon cost?

About €11.20 per person, that's €67.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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