I have never made fish pie, for a few reason’s, one is that I have a friend called Fiona who makes the most amazing fish pie and I always felt that maybe mine would never be as good and I would always feel a little disappointed. Another reason is, it is something that I always look for on a restaurant menu, again as they usually make them so well.
 
So I have spent years thinking that my fish pie would never live up to everyone else’s and rather live with that disappointment I have always avoided making one.
 
Until now that is! I know my Son James loves fish pie and I was really craving some proper comfort food and what better dish to make than fish pie. So I found this recipe, gave it ago & I must say I was delighted with the results. Being big headed, and why not, I think it is one of the ‘BEST’ fish pies I have ever had.
 
Buon appetito

  • 400g skinless white fish fillet
  • 400g skinless smoked haddock fillet
  • 600ml full-fat milk
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 eggs
  • small bunch parsley, leaves only, chopped
  • 100g butter
  • 50g plain flour
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1kg floury potato, peeled and cut into even-sized chunks
  • 50g cheddar , grated
Put the fish in the frying pan and pour over 500ml of the milk. Stud each onion quarter with a clove, then add to the milk, with the bay leaves. Bring the milk just to the boil – you will see a few small bubbles. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 mins. Lift the fish onto a plate and strain the milk into a jug to cool. Flake the fish into large pieces in the baking dish.
 
Bring a small pan of water to a gentle boil, then carefully lower the eggs in with a slotted spoon. Bring the water back to a gentle boil, with just a couple of bubbles rising to the surface. Set the timer for 8 mins, cook, then drain and cool in a bowl of cold water. Peel, slice into quarters and arrange on top of the fish, then scatter over the chopped parsley.
 
Melt half the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook for 1 min over moderate heat. Take off the heat, pour in a little of the cold poaching milk, then stir until blended. Continue to add the milk gradually, mixing well until you have a smooth sauce. Return to the heat, bringto the boil and cook for 5 mins, stirring continually, until it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, then pour over the fish.
 
Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil the potatoes for 20 mins. Drain, season and mash with the remaining butter and milk. Use to top the pie, starting at the edge of the dish and working your way in – push the mash right to the edges to seal. Fluff the top with a fork, sprinkle with cheese, then bake for 30 mins. Make up to a day ahead, chill, then bake for 40 mins.
 
To make yours a little different why not try :
 
200g raw peeled king prawns to the baking dish along with the poached fish.
 
Salmon & dill: Replace the smoked haddock with 400g skinless salmon fillets, and use dill instead of the parsley.
 
Fish & vegetable: Add 100g each frozen peas and sweetcorn to the baking dish before pouring over the sauce
 
They will all be gorgeous what ever you decide.