The Icelandic Ballot Box Dish

Ingredients

• 800 g cod fillet (in 4 equal pieces)
• 400 g waxy potatoes
• 200 g green beans (haricots verts)
• 200 g kidney beans (canned, rinsed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 50 g unsalted butter

Method

1. Peel the potatoes, cut into thick slices and boil in salted water for 15 minutes. Drain and let steam dry.
2. Boil the green beans for 5 minutes until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
3. Pat the cod fillets dry. Sprinkle with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dill.
4. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan. Fry the cod fillets over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked and lightly browned.
5. Melt the butter and mix with the remaining lemon zest.
6. Arrange the potato slices tightly together in a rectangle on each plate: the base of the ballot box.
7. Place the cod fillet upright on top (propped up by potatoes if needed) as the ballot box body.
8. Line up green beans as green ballots on one side of the 'slot', and kidney beans as red ballots on the other side.
9. Brush the cod with the lemon butter and garnish with extra dill.

Serving notes

• Serve strictly and symmetrically, so the ballot box is immediately recognizable.
• Provide a small spoon for 'casting' the beans.