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English fish pie
Smoked haddock, white fish and prawns in parsley sauce under mash
BritishFish pie is a Friday supper and a family favourite from the Kent coast to Devon, where fishmongers sell a ready-cut 'fish pie mix' for it. Chunks of white fish, smoked haddock and prawns are baked in a creamy parsley sauce under a thick crust of buttery mash, so it is mild, comforting and very filling. Chef's tip: don't pre-cook the fish; it finishes in the oven and stays in big, juicy flakes.
- Total time
- 70 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2 ⅝ lb potatoesfloury, peeled
- 3 ⅛ oz butterdivided
- 2 ½ cups milkdivided
- 14 oz skinless white fish (cod, pollock or hake)in 3 cm chunks
- 9 oz skinless smoked haddockin 3 cm chunks
- 5 ½ oz raw peeled prawns
- 1 ⅜ oz plain flour
- 4 tbsp parsleychopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp English mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 ⅜ oz cheddar (optional)grated
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Method
0/6 doneStep 2: Spread the 14 oz skinless white fish (cod, pollock or hake), 9 oz skinless smoked haddock and 5 ½ oz raw peeled prawns in a 2 litre baking dish.
3 minStep 3: Melt the rest of the 2 ⅛ oz butter, stir in the 1 ⅜ oz plain flour for 1 minute, then whisk in the rest of the 2 cups milk and simmer 4 minutes, whisking, until smooth and thick. Off the heat add the 4 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp English mustard, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp white pepper.
8 minStep 4: Pour the sauce over the fish and cool for 10 minutes so the mash sits on top instead of sinking.
10 minStep 5: Spoon the mash over, fluff with a fork and scatter with 1 ⅜ oz cheddar. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.
33 minStep 6: The fish is cooked when a piece in the centre is opaque and flakes easily and the prawns are pink. A common mistake is serving at once; rest 5 minutes so the sauce settles.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 560 kcal
- Protein
- 38 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does english fish pie take?
- About 70 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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