Baked red mullet sandwiches with pea and fennel salad

1.Preheat oven to 200C. Heat 20ml oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add fennel seeds and sauté until they start to pop (1 minute). Add shallot and garlic and sauté until tender (4-5 minutes), transfer to a bowl. Add breadcrumbs, herbs and lemon rind, season to taste and mix well to combine.

2.Combine lemon juice with remaining oil, season to taste and set aside. Lay mullet fillets skin-side down on a work surface, spread a tablespoon of breadcrumb mixture over half the mullet, pressing firmly, then drizzle over a little lemon juice mixture and sandwich with remaining mullet, skin-side up. Secure with kitchen string if desired, and transfer to an oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle with remaining lemon juice mixture and bake until just cooked through (5-6 minutes).

3.Meanwhile, for pea and fennel salad, blanch peas and sugar snap peas until tender (1-2 minutes), refresh, transfer to a bowl. Add pea tendrils, fennel, olive oil and lemon juice, season to taste, toss lightly to combine. Serve with mullet sandwiches, drizzled with pan juices.