I have to say to begin with that I would never serve fish with cheese sauce, nor would I choose it if I were eating elsewhere… I’m sure it is delicious but fish and cheese? I don’t really fancy that! However ninety years ago it was a suggestion in the ‘Little Dinner – for every month of the year‘ section of my Modern Practical Cookery book. I mentioned yesterday that on the suggested menu for February was the halibut, crown roast of lamb, peach cream and prune toast as a savoury. The menu, for six, also had a table setting suggestion – this month anemones in a cut glass bowl set on vivid Chinese table mats.
Halibut and cheese sauce
- 2 – 2½ lbs whole halibut, filleted, rinsed, dried
- lemon, and lemon juice
- butter
- salt and pepper
- 1 oz flour
- 3 oz cheese
- ¾ pint milk
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
- 1½ oz butter
- salt and pepper
- place halibut in a well buttered dish and season with salt, pepper and lemon juice, dab all over with butter
- cover and cook in a medium oven for 10 mins or until tender
- arrange in the cooking dish, or another, garnish with slices of lemon (I might use the zest as well or instead)
- in a separate pan, melt butter and stir in flour
- blend in milk, stirring well to make a smooth sauce and bring to the boil
- cook for a few minutes then add cheese and seasoning to taste
- cook a little longer until the cheese is melted and serve from a sauce-boat
I imagine this might be served with thin slices of bread and butter, without the cheese and with a very light, buttery sauce this would probably be to my taste!
Lois Elsden 
Wow, that amount of Halibut would cost a fortune now! I often have fish with cheese sauce, delicious. I roll plaice fillets and put them into a buttered dish with cheese sauce on top and a bit of grated cheese on top and pop it into the oven. Or use a mixture of fish pieces in a cheese sauce, top with buttery mash and pop in the oven – cheesy fish pie.
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Maybe I should try again… what sort of cheese do you use? I know… the price of halibut is beyond me but it is so delicious! Yes, I think I will have another go at fish in a cheesy sauce!
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I buy the frozen packs of fish pie pieces from Sainsburys, a packet of cheddar cheese sauce mix, top with horseradish mash and sprinkle grated cheddar over the mash. Pop into the oven and bob’s your uncle!
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That’s a great idea – I’m the only one who likes naked fish without batter but that sounds as if it might tempt some of the others!
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And now you are in Belfast for your picture!
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Well spotted! A favourite city but this picture is rather old… maybe I should return and take it again!!
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