Poached Duck Egg & Chorizo. Ashburton Cookery School. By Darrin Hosegrove

To make the butternut squash purée, drizzle the olive oil over the squash and sprinkle over half of the garlic and thyme leaves and season to taste. Place a square of baking parchment paper on top of a large tin foil square. Put the squash on top of the baking parchment and wrap the foil around to make a sealed bag. Place the squash in a pre-heated oven at 200°C for 45-60 minutes until soft. Scoop out the flesh from the squash and blend in a food processor with the remaining garlic and thyme. Season to taste and set aside.

Cook the peas in salted, boiling water until tender with a slight bite. Remove any skin from outside of the chorizo and cut into small dice. Heat the butter over a medium heat and add the chorizo. Cook until lightly coloured, add the peas, seasoning and garnishing with the finely shredded mint just before serving.

Brush the baguette for the croute on both sides with olive oil. Bake the bread for approximately eight to ten minutes at 200°C until golden and crispy.

Bring a saucepan with at least 10cm of water to the boil; turn down to a rapid simmer and add a little white wine vinegar. Crack each duck egg into a ramekin, making sure the yolk is not broken, and carefully add to simmering water. Poach for three minutes until the white is firm but the yolk is still runny. Remove the egg and trim any excess white.

To assemble the dish, spoon a tablespoon of butternut squash purée on to one corner of the plate. Place the back of the spoon into the purée and drag it diagonally across the plate in a steady motion. Repeat on the other side of the plate, so that the lines cross. Place the croute on top of the purée and the poached duck egg on top of the croute. Scatter the chorizo and peas around the plate. Finish the plate with edible flowers, leaves or pea shoots and add a few drops of aged balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately.

This recipe is featured in our cook book Signature Chefs South West & Channel Islands. Click here for more information.

Recipe by Darrin Hosegrove. Executive Chef, Ashburton Cookery School.