Tubby Isaac's


Jellied eels are an old East End (of London) favourite where they are still sold from street stalls, to be eaten from china bowls sprinkled with hot chilli vinegar. While jellied eels are the sort of street food you wolf down while standing up, perhaps on the way home from the pub, they are surprisingly easy to make yourself, so long as you can get very fresh eel.

Serves 4

Eels - 900g (2lb)
Grated nutmeg - pinch
Lemon - 1/2, zest and juice
Fresh herbs - a few, chopped
Fish stock - 600 ml (1 pint)
Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
Carrot - 1 small, finely chopped
Celery - 1 small, finely chopped
Bouquet garni - 1
Gelatine - 15g (1/2 oz)

METHOD
1. Skin and bone the eels but do not cut them up. Lay them on the table, skin side down and sprinkle with grated nutmeg, a little grated lemon zest and the chopped herbs.
2. Cut the fish into pieces about 4 inches long. Roll up each piece and tie with strong cotton or fine string. Put the stock, vegetables and bouquet garni into a saucepan and bring to he boil. Add the eels and simmer very gently until tender, for about 1/2 hour.
3. Lift out the fish take off the cotton or string and place the eels in a basin. Measure the stock and make up to 450 ml (3/4 pint) with water.
4. Add the gelatine to the lemon juice to dissolve the gelatine, then add this to the hot stock. Stir until completely dissolved. Strain this over the fish and leave to set.
5. Turn out when cold and serve with a green salad and sliced gherkins. 

Tubby Isaac's jellied eels - Goulsston Street near Aldgate East Tube - no phone  