A mum's life is a busy life, so for Mother's Day I'm suggesting turning the tables and giving her an evening off. The idea is print off this delicious but simple recipe, which is easily within the preparation skills of even the most culinary challenged, and leave it somewhere around the house as a suggestion for those usually on the receiving end of your cooking efforts.

 

With any luck you'll get to put your feet up, relax and have a yummy dinner placed in front of you.  A Mother's Day gift in itself...

 

Pancetta wrapped salmon with balsamic lentils

 

Ingredients (serves 4)

 

• 4 salmon fillets (approx 200g each)
• 20 slices of pancetta
• 2 tbs creme fraiche
• 1 tbs horseradish, to taste
• 200g puy lentils
• ½ litre chicken stock
• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• About 20 capers
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil

 

Method

 

Mix creme fraiche and horseradish. Season with salt and pepper, cover and leave in fridge till needed.

 

Preheat oven to 220°C.

 

Lie five slices of the pancetta on a chopping board in strips just overlapping each other and place the salmon on top, then wrap the pancetta up and round it to cover the salmon.

Pop lentils in a pan with chicken stock. Put them on a low heat, simmering, for about 15-20 minutes. Try them as they get past the 15 minute mark. When they're cooked, add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, capers and chopped shallot and stir.

 

About half way through the lentil-cooking process, put fish in the oven. It will take about ten minutes, and it's better to under-cook than overcook. Alternatively you could do it in a frying pan - about 3-4 minutes on each side.

 

To serve, place a large spoonful of lentils in the middle of the plate. Place fish on top of lentils, and spoon some horseradish sauce over the top.