FABULOUS FISH PIE
FABULOUS FISH PIE
FABULOUS FISH PIE

Ingredients
  • 600ml/1 pint 1fl oz full-fat milk
  • 1 onion
  • peeled and cut into sixths (keep the root intact)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 500g/1lb 2oz thick white fish fillets
  • such as cod
  • haddock or pollock
  • 500g/1lb 2oz smoked haddock fillet
  • preferably undyed
  • 500g/1lb 2oz thick salmon fillet
  • 6 free-range eggs (optional)
  • 75g/3oz butter
  • 75g/3oz plain flour
  • 3 tbsp white wine
  • 100ml/3½fl oz double cream
  • small bunch fresh dill
  • leaves removed
  • sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1.25kg/2½lb potatoes
  • peeled and cut into even-sized pieces
  • 75g/3oz butter
  • cubed
  • 75ml/3fl oz double cream
  • 150g/5oz mature Cheddar
  • coarsely grated
Directions
  • For the filling
  • pour the milk into a large saucepan and add the onion and bay leaves. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the fish fillets in the pan and bring to a very gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for two minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to stand and infuse for five minutes until the fish is almost cooked. Drain the fish through a colander into a bowl
  • then pour the milk into a jug.
  • Meanwhile
  • for the topping
  • cook the potatoes in simmering water for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Drain in a colander then return to the pan and mash with the butter
  • cream and three-quarters of the grated cheese. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
  • Fill a saucepan one-third full with water and bring to the boil. Gently add the eggs to the water and cook for nine minutes. Drain in a colander under running water for 1-2 minutes then transfer to a bowl of very cold water and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook for a few seconds
  • and then gradually add the infused milk
  • wine and cream
  • stirring over a medium heat for five minutes until the sauce is smooth and thick. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and add the dill fronds into the sauce. Peel the eggs and cut in half.
  • Spoon a third of the sauce into the base of a large ovenproof dish or 6-8 individual dishes. Scatter half the fish fillets over the sauce
  • breaking them into chunky pieces as you go
  • discarding the skin
  • onion and bay leaves. Place half the eggs on top and pour over another third of the sauce. Continue with the layering process until the ingredients are used up.
  • Spoon the potato over the fish mixture
  • starting at the edges before making your way into the centre. Fluff up the potato with a fork and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Place the dish on a baking tray and bake in the centre of the oven for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden-brown and the filling is bubbling.