Feed the runner beans through a bean cutter. If you don’t have one, just run
your speed peeler down each side of the bean to get rid of the stringy bits and
then cut them into 1cm pieces at an angle.
Your runner bean stew can be
cooked in advance or started just before you cook the fish. Heat a large
saucepan, big enough to hold all the ingredients, and add 2 tablespoons of olive
oil plus the oil from the jar of anchovies. Chop 4 of the garlic cloves and fry
them gently with the anchovies and dried chilli until it all goes soft and the
anchovies break down into a mush. Pour in the crushed tomatoes or passata and
add the beans and the rosemary sprigs. Season and bring to the boil. Place a lid
on the pan and simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes or until the beans are nicely
cooked. If the sauce gets a little dry, add a splash of water and give the beans
a stir.
Lay the monkfish pieces on a chopping board and slice them
horizontally almost in half, so they open out like a book. Try to get them so
you have an even thickness on both sides. Score the fish lightly and put to one
side.
To make the gremolata, finely chop the remaining clove of garlic
with a pinch of salt. Next, finely chop the parsley and finely grate the lemon
zest. Mix these with the garlic, give it all one last chop and put aside to
sprinkle over at the end.
Heat a very large griddle pan or frying pan (or
use two smaller ones). Season the fish well with salt and pepper and rub lightly
with olive oil. Cook the fish for 2 minutes each side or until just cooked
through (don’t be tempted to overcook it).
Take the beans off the heat,
taste and season them once again if necessary. Remove the rosemary sprigs and
squeeze in the juice from the lemon. Place a pile of beans on each plate and top
with a piece of fish. Sprinkle over the basil leaves and gremolata. Or you could
serve the whole lot on a big platter in the middle of the table – family service
style!