Monkfish Bomba

4 tbsp olive oil

75g/3oz shallots, finely chopped

1 small head garlic, cloves separated, peeled, finely chopped

½ tsp pimentón dulce (smoked sweet Spanish paprika), plus extra for seasoning the fish

pinch crushed dried chillies

200g/7oz vine tomatoes, halved

1 litre/1¾ pints fish stock

½ tsp loosely packed saffron strands

400g/14oz short-grain Bomba rice

1 large roasted red pepper

500g/1lb 2oz monkfish fillet, trimmed of all membrane then cut across into 1cm/½in thick slices

Monkfish Bomba ingredients

Grate the halved tomatoes, pressing the fleshy, cut face of the tomato against the grater. (As you grate each tomato half, the skin will flatten out and be left behind.) Discard the skin. This leaves just the pulp and juice.

Monkfish tails

Pat the monkfish pieces dry on kitchen paper and season well with salt and a little pimentón. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a non-stick frying pan. Have the heat quite high, as you want to flash fry the outside of the fish. Add the monkfish slices a few at a time and fry over a high heat for one minute on either side until very lightly coloured and almost cooked through. Plate and set aside.

Heat the remaining two tablespoons of the olive oil in a shallow flameproof casserole or sauté pan, add the shallot and fry gently for 10 minutes until soft and sweet but not browned. Then add the garlic, pimentón and chillies and fry for 2-3 more minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until they have broken down into a thick sauce.

Saffron: the stamens of the crocus

Stir in the fish stock, saffron and 1½ teaspoons of salt and bring to the boil. Sprinkle in the rice, stir once, then lower the heat and leave to simmer vigorously over a medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes.

Bomba Rice: short grain paella rice

Meanwhile, cut the roasted red pepper or jarred pimientos into 1cm/½in-wide strips, removing and discarding any skin or seeds. Sprinkle them over the top of the rice and shake the pan briefly so they sink into the mixture a little. Lower the heat and leave to simmer gently for another 12 minutes. At the end of this time almost all the liquid should be absorbed and the rice will be pitted with small holes.

Home grilled red peppers

Shortly before the rice is ready, lay the pieces of fish on top of the rice, turn off the heat and cover the casserole with a clean tea towel, opened-out newspaper or lid. Leave to rest for five minutes, during which time the monkfish will finish cooking through.

Best served with a crisp dry white wine.