There’s a real joy in keeping things simple, and few dishes show it better than brill fillets gently cooked in garlic butter with crispy sage. The sweet, delicate flesh of the fish soaks up the rich, fragrant butter, while the sage adds a light crunch and earthy aroma — a dish that feels elegant yet effortless.

Get your frying pan nice and hot

Add a splash of olive oil and cook the brill fillets skin side down for 3 minutes. Don't fuss over it just let it sit there cooking.

Turn the heat down a little and add a generous spoon of garlic butter to the pan. This should start to melt and foam. 

Toss in your sage leaves.

Tilting the pan so the butter pools in the lower edge, spoon the foaming butter repeatedly over the fillets, basting them as they continue to cook.

They should turn a beautiful golden colour and then you are ready to serve with a simple salad and new potatoes.