Fish Pie Recipe: A Delicious Dish for Any Occasion

Fish pie is a classic British comfort food that is perfect for any occasion. It's a hearty and satisfying dish that can be made with a variety of fish and seafood, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a special occasion, a fish pie recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Preparing the ingredients for a fish pie recipe is relatively simple. You'll need fish and seafood, such as salmon, cod, prawns, and smoked haddock, as well as vegetables like onions, carrots, and peas. You'll also need mashed potatoes, butter, and milk to create the topping. Once you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to start cooking.

Assembling and baking your fish pie is the final step in the process. You'll need to layer your fish and vegetables in a baking dish, then pour a creamy white sauce over the top. Finally, you'll add the mashed potato topping and bake it in the oven until it's golden brown and bubbling. With a little bit of preparation and patience, you can create a delicious fish pie that's sure to impress your guests.

Key Takeaways

• Fish pie is a classic British comfort food that can be made with a variety of fish and seafood.
• Preparing the ingredients for a fish pie recipe is relatively simple and requires fish, seafood, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.
• Assembling and baking your fish pie is the final step, and requires layering fish and vegetables, pouring a creamy sauce over the top, adding mashed potato topping, and baking it in the oven until golden brown and bubbling.

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you start making your fish pie, it's important to prepare all the ingredients. This will make the cooking process much smoother and ensure that your pie turns out delicious. Here are some tips for preparing the ingredients:

Selecting the Fish

The type of fish you use in your pie is important for both flavour and sustainability. Look for fish that is fresh and from sustainable sources. A mix of cod, smoked haddock, and salmon is a popular choice for fish pie. Make sure to remove any skin, bones or fat/gristle before cooking.

Making the Mash

The mashed potato topping is a key component of any fish pie. To make the mash, peel and chop your potatoes into small chunks. Boil them in salted water until they are soft, then drain and mash them with butter and milk until they are smooth and creamy. You can also add grated cheddar cheese, lemon zest, or chopped parsley for extra flavour.

Creating the Sauce

The sauce is what brings all the ingredients together in a fish pie. To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and add finely chopped onions. Cook until the onions are soft, then add plain flour and cook for a minute or two. Gradually whisk in milk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg for flavour. You can also add a splash of olive oil for richness.

Assembling and Baking

Layering the Pie

Now that you have prepared your fish pie filling, it's time to assemble the pie. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Grease a baking tray with butter or oil and set it aside.

Start by spooning the filling into your baking dish. Spread it out evenly and make sure that the fish and peas are distributed evenly throughout the dish. Next, add a layer of mashed potato on top of the filling. Spread it out evenly, making sure to cover the filling completely.

If you want to add an extra touch of flavour to your fish pie, sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese on top of the mashed potato. This will give your pie a delicious cheesy crust when it bakes. You can also add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or lemon zest for an extra zing of flavour.

The Perfect Bake

Place your fish pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. If you find that the top of your pie is browning too quickly, cover it with foil and continue baking.

When your fish pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Fish pie is a great dish to serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat your fish pie, simply place it in the oven at 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4 for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a simple fish pie?

Making a simple fish pie is easy. All you need is some fish fillets, potatoes, milk, butter, flour, onions, peas and parsley. Boil the potatoes until they are soft, then mash them with butter and milk. In a separate pan, fry the onions until they are soft, then add the fish and peas. Cook until the fish is cooked through, then add flour and milk to make a creamy sauce. Pour the sauce over the fish mixture and top with the mashed potatoes. Bake in the oven until the top is golden brown.

What are the key ingredients for a classic fish pie?

The key ingredients for a classic fish pie are fish fillets, potatoes, milk, butter, flour, onions, peas and parsley. The fish can be a combination of smoked and unsmoked fish, and can include haddock, cod, salmon and prawns. The sauce is made with milk, butter, flour and onions, and is flavoured with parsley.

What makes a fish pie luxurious?

A fish pie can be made luxurious by using high-quality ingredients such as fresh fish, crème fraîche instead of milk, and adding extra ingredients such as prawns, scallops or lobster. You can also add a splash of white wine or sherry to the sauce for extra flavour.

Can you recommend a fish pie recipe from a well-known chef?

Mary Berry's fish pie recipe is a classic and highly recommended. It includes smoked haddock, fresh haddock, prawns and boiled eggs, and is topped with mashed potatoes and cheese. The sauce is made with milk, butter, flour and onions, and is flavoured with lemon juice and parsley.

What's the secret to a perfect fish pie sauce?

The secret to a perfect fish pie sauce is to use a combination of milk and cream, and to add a splash of white wine or sherry for extra flavour. The sauce should be thick and creamy, but not too heavy. It should also be well-seasoned with salt and pepper.

What distinguishes a fisherman's pie from a regular fish pie?

A fisherman's pie is similar to a regular fish pie, but is made with a mixture of fish and shellfish such as prawns, scallops and mussels. It is also topped with mashed sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, and is sometimes flavoured with curry powder or other spices.