Get a really large frying pan, or two smaller ones, on the heat and add a glug
of olive oil. Score the skin of your fish fillets all over, about 1cm deep, and
season. Put the fish fillets into the pan, skin side down, with the squid
tentacles. Add the scallops. Run your knife down one side of each squid to open
them out, then quickly and lightly score the inside in a criss-cross fashion.
Lay them in the pan, scored side down. Add the asparagus and gently shake the
pan. Cook for a few minutes, then turn everything over and cook on the other
side. Sprinkle over the thyme tips.
You’re the one in control of the
pan, so if something looks cooked, take it out and keep it warm. Don’t watch
things burn! When the fish has crispy skin, the scallops are golden brown with
caramelized edges and the squid has curled up and is nicely chargrilled, remove
the pan from the heat. Put the squid on a chopping board and roughly slice it
into pieces at an angle, then return to the pan. Lay the fish fillets on each
plate. Toss the asparagus, scallops and squid with half the chilli, a good
drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil and the lemon juice. Lightly
season and mix together. Divide on top of the plated fish. Sprinkle with the
rest of the chopped chilli and the fennel tops, and drizzle with extra virgin
olive oil.